Pitt Football News

10-09-06

Pitt's Stephens-Howling, McKillop Honored

PITTSBURGH—University of Pittsburgh sophomore tailback LaRod Stephens-Howling and junior defensive end Chris McKillop have been honored by the Big East for their performances in the Panthers’ 21-11 victory at Syracuse this past Saturday.

Stephens-Howling (Johnstown, Pa./Greater Johnstown) was named the Big East Offensive Player of the Week after rushing for 221 yards on 27 carries (8.2 avg.) and a 70-yard touchdown. McKillop (Export, Pa./Kiski Area) earned the league’s Defensive Player of the Week award by being in on three quarterback sacks, forcing two fumbles and also recovering another fumble.

Stephens-Howling’s rushing performance is the best in the Big East this season and ranks fifth nationally on the NCAA Division I-A level. He became Pitt’s first 200-yard rusher since Nov. 24, 2000, when Kevan Barlow rushed for 272 against West Virginia in a 38-28 victory at Three Rivers Stadium.

Stephens-Howling was not tackled for a loss the entire game at Syracuse. His 70-yard jaunt marked Pitt’s longest rush since quarterback David Priestley had an 85-yard TD run on Sept. 1, 2001 in the inaugural game at Heinz Field (a 31-0 victory over East Tennessee).

McKillop’s sacks went for 20 yards in losses. He helped turn back a Syracuse scoring threat in the fourth quarter with a sack and forced fumble that Pitt recovered at its own 14-yard line. McKillop’s fumble recovery also thwarted an Orange drive at the Pitt 34 in the opening quarter.

McKillop leads Pitt with 4.5 sacks and three forced fumbles. He ranks second with 6.5 tackles for losses. McKillop ranks sixth nationally in forced fumbles per game (.50 avg.).

Pitt now has five players who have received the Big East’s weekly awards. Previously, quarterback Tyler Palko (Sept. 25) and linebackers H.B. Blades (Sept. 11) and Clint Session (Sept. 4) were honored by the league.

The Panthers (5-1, 2-0 Big East) will play a nationally televised ESPN game this Friday, Oct. 13, at Central Florida (2-3) in Orlando. A victory over UCF would give the Panthers a 6-1 mark, their best start to a season since 1982.