Oct. 6, 2008
Pitt’s McKillop Named Lott Player of the Week
NEWPORT BEACH , Ca.—Pittsburgh Linebacker Scott McKillop has been named the winner of The Lott Trophy IMPACT® Player of the Week presented by Wachovia. McKillop had 12 solo tackles, including 2 sacks (for 24 yards in losses), in Pitt’s 26-21 upset win over South Florida . McKillop now has 52 tackles on the season. Pitt (4-1) will receive $1,000 for its general scholarship fund in recognition of McKillop’s performance. He was also named the Walter Camp National Defensive Player of the Week and the Big East Defensive Player of the Week for the third time this season and the fourth time in his career.
McKillop was selected by The Legends Football Coaches Association. Former Arkansas Coach Frank Broyles, an LFCA member, commented on McKillop’s play: “McKillop is a five-star athlete whose play disrupted South Florida ‘s offense. He took them out of their game.” Said former West Virginia Coach Don Nehlen, another LFCA member: “When they sent him up the middle, nobody could block him.” McKillop (a 6-2, 240-pound senior from Export, Pa. ) has already graduated from Pitt, obtaining a Bachelor’s Degree last April in business-marketing. He is currently pursuing a second degree in administration of justice. He led the nation in tackles per game last season with 12.5.
Named after Hall of Famer Ronnie Lott, The Lott Trophy is awarded to college football’s Defensive IMPACT® Player of the Year. Now in its fifth year, The Lott Trophy is the first college football award to equally recognize athletic performance and the personal character attributes of the player. Sponsored by The Pacific Club IMPACT Foundation® in Newport Beach , Ca., the award is given to a player who exhibits the same characteristics Lott embodied during his distinguish ed career: Integrity, Maturity, Performance, Academics, Community and Tenacity.
David Pollack of Georgia won the initial Lott Trophy in 2004. DeMeco Ryans of Alabama won the award in 2005, Daymeion Hughes of Cal was the recipient in 2006 and Glenn Dorsey of LSU in 2007. Georgia , Alabama , Cal and LSU each received $25,000 for their general scholarship funds. In four years, the Pacific Club IMPACT Foundation® has donated more than $450,000 to various charities, including the four universities. Voters for the award include selected members of the national media, previous finalists, the Board of Directors of the Pacific Club IMPACT Foundation®, The IMPACT® Foundation Board of Advisers comprised of many retired NFL players and the Legends Coaches, a distinguished group of former head college coaches. Other players receiving consideration from the Legends Coaches this week were Brit Mil ler of Illinois, Myron Rolle of Florida State, Brian Cushing of USC and Malcolm Jenkins of Ohio State
Lott Trophy IMPACT® Players of the Week presented by Wachovia
Week I – Alterraun Verner, CB, UCLA
Week II – Zack Follett, LB, Cal
Week III – George Selvie, DE, South Florida
Week IV - Aaron Curry, LB, Wake Forest
Week V - Brian Orakpo, Texas
Week VI – Scott McKillop, Pitt
LOTT SHOTS: Illinois Linebacker Brit Miller had 4 tackles for losses (giving him 11.5 for the season) plus 2 pass breakups and 5 other tackles in a convincing 45-20 win over Michigan…Oregon’s Nick Reed recorded his sixth sack of the season (against his form er high school teammate Mark Sanchez of USC) in 44-10 loss to the Trojans…Ohio State All-American linebacker James Laurinaitis had 10 more tackles as the Buckeyes defeated Wisconsin, 20-17…Linebacker Brian Cushing of USC had 6 tackles, 2 for losses, and a pass break up in Trojans’ 44-10 romp over the Ducks…Tyrone McKenzie had a game-high 15 tackles in South Florida’s loss to Pitt, 26-21…Malcolm Jenkins of Ohio State had an interception in the win over Wisconsin…Alterraun Verner, UCLA’s cornerback, had another interception, a forced fumble and a pass breakup in 28-3 win over Washington State…Florida State Safety Myron Rolle broke up 4 passes in the Seminoles’ wild 41-39 decision over Miami…Cal Linebacker Zack Follett had a vicious sack that led to a forced fumble in 24-14 Pac-10 victory over Arizona State. Troy Nolan led the Sun Devils with 8 tackles…Missouri Linebcker Nick Weatherspoon led the Tigers in tackles with 7 in 52-17 pasting of Nebraska…Tennessee Sophomore Safety Eric Berry intercepted a pass and returned it 48 yards that led to a field goal in a 13-9 win over Northern Illinois…Boston College Mark Herzlich had 8 tackles in 38-31 win over North Carolina State…Florida Linebacker Brandon Spikes had 7 tackles, one for a loss and a pass breakup in 38-7 win over Arkansas…
SIDELINED: West Virginia Linebacker Reed Williams sat out the Mountaineers’ 24-17 win over Rutgers with a shoulder injury…South Florida Defensive End George Selvie did not start against Pitt, but played and had 2 tackles (one for loss).
GOOD WORKS: Illinois Linebacker Brit Miller was named to the American Football Coaches Assn. (AFCA) Good Works Team for student-athletes who are committed to community work and leadership.
SMART GUYS: Darryl Richard of Georgia Tech, Nick Reed or Oregon and Reed Williams of West Virginia have all been named semifinalists for the Draddy Award , the Academic Heisman, presented by the National Football Foundation.