Inside The Panthers

Pitt Lands Two ACC Players of Week

Samuel Okunlola and M.J. Devonshire earned conference honors for their role in the upset of Louisville.

Stephen Thompson

Pitt Lands Two ACC Players of Week
Pitt Lands Two ACC Players of Week /
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PITTSBURGH -- After the Pitt Panthers pulled off one of the biggest upsets of Week 7 in college football, a pair of defenders earned weekly honors from the ACC for their contributions.  

Defensive lineman Samuel Okunlola earned ACC Rookie of the Week distinction and cornerback M.J. Devonshire was named ACC Defensive Back of the Week for their major roles in Pitt's 38-21 victory over then-No. 14 Louisville at Acrisure Stadium. 

Devonshire played perhaps the best game of his career. He was targeted 12 times, while primarily trailing Louisville's top wideout, Jamari Thrash, and came up with five passes defended and an 86-yard interception return for a touchdown - the longest in program history since 1997 - and added six tackles as well. 

Okunlola made four tackles, including two for loss and sacked Jake Plummer deep inside Pitt territory. That hit also led to a crucial fumble, which set up a game-tying drive for the Panthers offense. 

This marks the first time this season Pitt players have won weekly honors from the ACC. 

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Stephen Thompson
STEPHEN THOMPSON

Stephen Thompson graduated with a bachelor's degree in communications and political science from Pitt in April 2022 after spending four years as a sports writer and editor at The Pitt News, the University of Pittsburgh's independent, student-run newspaper.  He primarily worked the Pitt men's basketball beat, and filled in on coverage of football, volleyball, softball, gymnastics and lacrosse, in addition to other sports as needed. His work at The Pitt News has won awards from the Pennsylvania News Media Association and Associated College Press.  During the spring and summer of 2021, Stephen interned for Pittsburgh Sports Now, covering baseball in western Pennsylvania. Hailing from Washington D.C., family ties have cultivated a love of Boston's professional teams and Pitt athletics, and a fascination with sports in general.  You can reach Stephen by email at stephenethompson00@gmail.com and follow him on Twitter. Read his latest work:

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