Pitt is 6-0 for the first time since 1982, and it wouldn’t be possible without a lot of talented contributors offensively, defensively and on special teams.
So, of course, midseason All-ACC and All-American teams are full of Pitt Panthers.
David Hale, who covers the ACC for ESPN, is high on Pitt.
He selected Pat Narduzzi as the co-Coach of the Year and has five Pitt Panthers in his first-team midseason All-ACC squad. Desmond Reid at all-purpose, Kyle Louis at linebacker, Donovan McMillon at safety, Ben Sauls at kicker and Kenny Johnson at punt returner.
The College Football Network selected Reid as its midseason Newcomer of the Year while the Panthers are well-represented across the midseason first-, second-, third- and honorable-mention teams.
Reid and Louis are on the first team, at running back and linebacker, Eli Holstein, Konata Mumpfield and Nate Matlack are on the second team, BJ Williams, Jimmy Scott, Brandon George, Ben Sauls and Kenny Johnson (offensive guard, defensive end, linebacker, kicker and kick returner, respectively) are on the third team and Rashad Battle is an honorable mention at cornerback.
The Athletic included Reid as a second-team All-American, slotting him as an all-purpose player.
Saturday Down South included Narduzzi as Coach of the Year and Reid as Breakout Player of Year, as well as the Panthers as the biggest surprise as the midway point.
All-ACC, All-American Panthers
Eli Holstein — 127-of-200 pass attempts (63.5%) for 1,700 yards with 15 touchdowns and five interceptions, 56 carries for 266 yards (4.8 yards per carry) and three touchdowns
Desmond Reid — 78 carries for 494 yards (6.3 yards per carry) and three touchdowns, 25 receptions for 341 yards (13.6 yards per carry) and four touchdowns, a 78-yard punt return touchdown
Konata Mumpfield — 26 receptions for 463 yards (17.8 yards per reception) and three touchdowns
BJ Williams — six starts at right guard
Nate Matlack — 11 tackles (10 solo), 4.5 tackles for loss, three sacks and two pass breakups
Jimmy Scott — 14 tackles (nine solo), 5.5 tackles for loss, four sacks and two pass breakups
Kyle Louis — 54 tackles (23 solo), 8.5 tackles for loss, three sacks, two interceptions, a pass breakup and a forced fumble
Brandon George — 45 tackles (12 solo), 2.5 tackles for loss, a sack, a pass breakup, a forced fumble and recovery and a blocked punt returned for a touchdown
Donovan McMillon — 56 tackles (29 solo), an interception, four pass breakups and a forced fumble
Rashad Battle — 20 tackles (16 solo), a tackle for loss, four pass breakups and a fumble recovery
Ben Sauls — 10-of-10 on field goals (58-yard long) and 28-of-28 on point-after attempts for 58 points
Kenny Johnson — 21 receptions for 258 yards (12.6 yards per reception) and two touchdowns, 15 kick returns for 303 yards (20.2 yards per return) and six punt returns for 64 yards (7.1 yards per return)
I agree with most of the choices, outside of Johnson for PR. I’ve witnessed to many bobbles and near gaffs for him to be selected. It almost seems like a weekly thing.