PITTSBURGH — Pitt wide receiver Maurice Ffrench was selected the ACC Specialist of the Week for his performance in the Panthers’ 33-7 victory against Albany in the 2018 season opener.

(Photo courtesy of Pitt Athletics)

Ffrench gave the Panthers the perfect start to the season as he returned the game’s opening kickoff 91 yards for a touchdown. It was the first kick return score of his collegiate career and the first time on record that Pitt opened a season with a kickoff return for a touchdown.

A native of New Brunswick, N.J., Ffrench also added another touchdown later in the game on a nine-run rush around the corner, giving the junior wide receiver his first career multi-score performance. He finished the game with a career-high 119 all-purpose yards as well.

Led by special teams coordinator Andre Powell, Pitt specialists have now combined to win the ACC Specialist of the Week honors five times dating back to the start of the 2017 season after Quadree Henderson (twice), Alex Kessman and Ryan Winslow were each honored last year.

Next up, the Panthers host rival Penn State on Saturday night at Heinz Field. The 8 p.m. game will be televised nationally on ABC as the in-state foes battle on the gridiron for the 99th time.