PITTSBURGH — Pitt junior running back Darrin Hall and junior safety Jordan Whitehead were honored by the Atlantic Coast Conference today for their performances in the Panthers’ 24-17 victory over Duke.
(Photo of Jordan Whitehead. Photo courtesy of Pitt Athletics)
Hall, who enjoyed a career rushing game, was named the ACC’s Offensive Back of the Week, while Whitehead, the leader of Pitt’s strong defensive effort, was named Co-Defensive Back of the Week.
Hall broke a century-old school record while slicing through the nation’s No. 16 rushing defense for a career-high 254 yards and three touchdowns. He averaged an impressive 10.6 yards on 24 carries.
Facing a Blue Devils defense that was surrendering a mere 108 yards on the ground, Hall ripped off touchdown sprints of 79 and 92 yards. The latter score marked the longest touchdown run in Pitt history, eclipsing the 100-year-old record of 91 established in 1917 by George McLaren.
Hall broke the record almost 100 years to the day it was originally set. McLaren, who played under legendary Pitt coach Pop Warner, established the mark against Syracuse on Oct. 20, 1917.
Hall’s third TD, a four-yard score with 10:48 left, gave Pitt the lead for good at 21-17. His performance helped Pitt produce a season-high 336 rushing yards, more than triple what Duke had been yielding heading into the contest.
This is the first ACC weekly award of Hall’s career.
Whitehead, owning significant run and pass responsibilities against Duke, was a highly productive defender in the victory. He compiled a team-high 10 tackles, added a pass breakup and had the game-clinching interception.
Whitehead was a vital figure in helping limit the Blue Devils to just 76 yards on the ground—114 yards below their average.
With Pitt clinging to a seven-point lead in the game’s waning moments, Duke mounted a final drive, reaching the Pitt 22. But Whitehead ended the threat and the game with a diving interception at the Pitt 8-yard line with 45 seconds remaining.
Whitehead has now earned five ACC weekly awards for his career. He shares this week’s defensive back honor with Virginia Tech’s Reggie Floyd.
On the season, five different Pitt players have been honored with ACC weekly awards. In addition to Hall and Whitehead, other 2017 recipients include quarterback Max Browne (Rice), all-purpose player Quadree Henderson (Georgia Tech) and placekicker Alex Kessman (Syracuse).
The Panthers (3-5, 1-3 ACC) play host to Coastal Division foe Virginia (5-2, 2-1) this Saturday at Heinz Field. The game will kick off at 12:30 p.m., and be televised in Pittsburgh by AT&T SportsNet.
