Pitt's Dickerson named to Mackey watch list

October 20, 7:05 AMPittsburgh Sports ExaminerMatt Pawlikowski

Previous Next

Comment Print Email RSS Subscribe

Subscribe

Get alerts when there is a new article from the Pittsburgh Sports Examiner. Read Examiner.com's terms of use.

Email Address   Include other special offers from Examiner.com Terms of Use

Pitt players have done a lot of celebrating with fans this season
AP FILE PHOTO

PITTSBURGH - Pitt senior Dorin Dickerson, whose eight touchdown catches lead the entire country, has been named to the midseason watch list for the John Mackey Award, annually presented to the nation’s top tight end by the Nassau County Sports Commission.

Twenty-two players were named to the Mackey Award midseason list based on their performance during the first half of the 2009 season. Dickerson (Imperial, Pa./West Allegheny) has enjoyed an exceptional campaign thus far with 27 receptions for 274 yards (10.1 avg.). His eight touchdown catches pace the Big East Conference and are tied for the national lead.

Dickerson has scored at least one touchdown in five of Pitt’s seven games this year. He had a career-high three touchdowns in a 54-27 victory at Buffalo and two scores in the Panthers’ 35-10 win at Louisville.

In Pitt’s dramatic come-from-behind 24-21win over Connecticut on Oct. 10, Dickerson had a 27-yard touchdown catch that, following a 2-point conversion, tied the game at 21 with 7:35 left in the game. His TD helped wipe out a 15-point third-quarter deficit and set the stage for the game-winning field goal as time expired.

Former Pitt tight end Kris Wilson, now a member of the San Diego Chargers, was a finalist for the John Mackey Award in 2003.

Pitt (6-1, 3-0 Big East) surged into the national polls this week, ranking No. 19 in the USA Today coaches poll and No. 20 by The Associated Press. The Panthers are No. 20 in the newly released Bowl Championship Series rankings and host South Florida ( 5-5, 1-1) this Saturday at Heinz Field.

For more great Pitt news, check out Steve Flinn on Examiner.com for the latest happenings out of Oakland.