June 21, 2010

PITTSBURGH--Pitt senior offensive tackle Jason Pinkston was named to the Outland Trophy watch list, while senior defensive end Greg Romeus earned recognition on the preseason Bronko Nagurski Trophy list, it was announced today by the Football Writers Association of America (FWAA).

Pinkston was one of 63 players named a candidate for the Outland Trophy, annually presented to the country's top interior lineman. Romeus was one of 74 players named to the watch list for the Nagurski honor, presented to the nation's best defensive player.

The 6-foot-4, 305-pound Pinkston (Pittsburgh, Pa./Baldwin) enters his third season as a starting offensive tackle at Pitt. As a junior, he was selected first team All-Big East and garnered second-team All-America accolades. The Panthers have produced a 1,000-yard rusher each year he has been a starter.

Romeus (Coral Springs, Fla./Coral Glades) was the 2009 Big East Co-Defensive Player of the Year (shared with graduated teammate Mick Williams) after collecting 43 tackles, 11.5 tackles for loss and a team-high eight sacks. He additionally had three forced fumbles, an interception, a fumble recovery and blocked PAT.

The 6-foot-6, 270-pound Romeus was a finalist for the 2009 Ted Hendricks Defensive End of the Year Award and additionally was selected to three different All-America teams last season.

Over the past two years, Pitt has produced 19 wins, the second highest total in the Big East Conference and among the top 25 nationally. The Panthers are 20-7 (.741) over their last 27 games, dating back to the landmark 13-9 upset at West Virginia on Dec. 1, 2007 -- the first victory over a team ranked No. 1 in school history.

Pitt will play one of the most-anticipated season openers in the country in 2010 when it travels to Utah for a Sept. 2 game. The Panthers and Utes will kick off at 8:30 p.m. (ET) for a national telecast on Versus.

For season-ticket information, log on to PittsburghPanthers.com or call (800) 643-PITT.

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