McCoy, McKillop Earn National Recognition

The Maxwell Football Club today announced that Pitt senior middle linebacker Scott McKillop and sophomore tailback LeSean McCoy are semifinalists for two of the country's most prestigious player-of-the-year awards.

Scott McKillop is among 15 semifinalists for the Chuck Bednarik Award, annually presented to the country's Outstanding Defensive Player of the Year. And LeSean McCoy is among 15 players named as a semifinalist for the Maxwell Award that is given to the Collegiate Player of the Year.

The winners of the Bednarik and Maxwell awards will be announced on December 11 during ESPN's telecast of the "Home Depot ESPNU College Football Awards Show'' in Orlando, Fla. The formal presentation of these honors will be made at the Maxwell Football Club's Awards Dinner March 6, 2009 in Atlantic City, N.J.

McKillop (Export, Pa.-Kiski Area High School), a fifth-year senior middle linebacker for Pittsburgh, has firmly established himself as one of the nation's finest defenders. He ranks second nationally in solo stops (7.0 per game), ninth in tackles for loss (tied, 1.56 per game) and 10th in total tackles (10.25 per game).

Last month McKillop was named a first team Midseason All-American by no fewer than five different media outlets, including CBSSports.com, SI.com, CollegeFootballNews.com, Sporting News Today and Phil Steele.

McKillop's exceptional 2008 season is a fitting encore to his breakthrough junior campaign. Last year, he was the country's leading tackler (12.58 per game), a unanimous first-team All-Big East selection and named to four All-America teams. For more information on McKillop, go to www.ScottMcKillop40.com.

McCoy (Harrisburg, Pa.-Bishop McDevitt High School-Milford Academy), just a sophomore, is among college football's most productive and exciting running backs. He is the nation's second-leading scorer (tied, 11.25 points per game) and sixth-leading rusher (125.50 yards per game).

In the past five games, McCoy has surpassed 140 yards each time and is the nation's leading rusher during that stretch with 762 yards and 10 touchdowns on 132 carries.

McCoy recently achieved his second consecutive 1,000-yard season. In eight games this year, he has totaled 1,004 yards on 193 attempts (5.2 yards per carry) and 15 touchdowns. Last year he rushed for a Big East-freshman record 1,328 yards and 14 touchdowns.

McCoy is the nation's active career leader in rushing yards per game (116.6 in 20 games). He is second nationally among active players in points per game (9.0 per game with 30 TDs). For more information on McCoy, go to www.LeSeanMcCoy25.com.