Oct. 19, 2009

PITTSBURGH--Pitt senior Dorin Dickerson, whose eight touchdown catches lead the entire country, has been named to the midseason watch list for the John Mackey Award, annually presented to the nation's top tight end by the Nassau County Sports Commission.

Twenty-two players were named to the Mackey Award midseason list based on their performance during the first half of the 2009 season. Dickerson (Imperial, Pa./West Allegheny) has enjoyed an exceptional campaign thus far with 27 receptions for 274 yards (10.1 avg.). His eight touchdown catches pace the Big East Conference and are tied for the national lead.

Dickerson has scored at least one touchdown in five of Pitt's seven games this year. He had a career-high three touchdowns in a 54-27 victory at Buffalo and two scores in the Panthers' 35-10 win at Louisville.

In Pitt's dramatic come-from-behind 24-21win over Connecticut on Oct. 10, Dickerson had a 27-yard touchdown catch that, following a 2-point conversion, tied the game at 21 with 7:35 left in the game. His TD helped wipe out a 15-point third-quarter deficit and set the stage for the game-winning field goal as time expired.

The 2009 John Mackey Award recipient will be selected by a vote of the award's selection committee and announced on Dec. 10. Semifinalists will be announced on Nov. 16 and finalists on Nov. 23.

Former Pitt tight end Kris Wilson, now a member of the San Diego Chargers, was a finalist for the John Mackey Award in 2003.

Pitt (6-1, 3-0 Big East) surged into the national polls this week, ranking No. 19 in the USA Today coaches poll and No. 20 by The Associated Press. The Panthers are No. 20 in the newly released Bowl Championship Series rankings.

The Panthers will host Big East foe South Florida (5-1, 1-1) this Saturday at Heinz Field. Kickoff is set for noon.

Fans are encouraged to "Turn it Blue" and wear their Panther Blue for the game, which is Pitt's Homecoming.

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

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