Pitt Football News

9-11-06

H.B. BLADES EARNS BIG EAST DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE WEEK

PITTSBURGH-University of Pittsburgh senior linebacker H.B. Blades has been named the Big East Defensive Player of the Week for his performance in the Panthers' 33-15 road victory over Cincinnati.

Blades (Plantation, Fla./Plantation) collected a game-high 14 tackles and recovered a fumble in Cincinnati territory that led to a field goal. His effort helped Pitt limit the Bearcats to just 35 net rush yards, the Panthers' lowest single-game total in four years.

The 6-foot, 240-pound linebacker is off to an All-America pace, averaging 13.5 tackles per game to rank sixth nationally. Blades has a team-high 27 total stops this year and continues to climb Pitt's all-time tackles list. With 313 career stops, he ranks 11th all-time at Pitt and is on pace to crack the top three by season's end.

A two-time first-team All-Big East selection, Blades is eyeing national accolades this year. He has been named to four major award watch lists, including the Butkus Award (top linebacker), Rotary Lombardi Award (top lineman/linebacker), Bronko Nagurski Trophy (top defensive player) and the Lott Trophy (top defensive player).

This is the second consecutive week a Pitt defensive player has been honored by the Big East. Last week, senior linebacker Clint Session (Pompano Beach, Fla./Blanche Ely) was the league's weekly defensive honoree.

The Panthers (2-0) will host Big Ten foe Michigan State (2-0) this Saturday at Heinz Field. Kickoff is set for noon. For ticket information, log on to PittsburghPanthers.com or call (800) 643-PITT.