Football: Checking on the regular season leaders

The No. 17 Pitt Panthers ended their season over the weekend with a disappointing 45-44 loss to… The No. 17 Pitt Panthers ended their season over the weekend with a disappointing 45-44 loss to Cincinnati. As Pitt attempts to shake off the loss and prepare for a bowl game against North Carolina, time can be taken to look at the team’s regular season statistical leaders.

It’s no surprise that quarterback Bill Stull leads the team in passing. The redshirt senior threw for 2,470 yards and 21 touchdowns with eight interceptions. His passing efficiency rating of 152.45 ranks 11th in the nation.

Saturday’s game gave Stull 5,089 career passing yards, which ranks him sixth among quarterbacks in Pitt history.

For jaw-dropping numbers, look no further than freshman tailback Dion Lewis. Only Stanford senior Toby Gerhart has carried the ball more than the 297 times Lewis has throughout the season.

In 12 games, Lewis gained 1,640 yards on the ground and ran for 16 touchdowns. His average of 136.67 rushing yards per game is third best in the nation and better than any other freshman rusher.

Lewis has been responsible for 102 points this year, breaking LeSean McCoy’s Pitt freshman scoring record. His 102 points ties Lewis with kicker Dan Hutchins for the team lead in total scoring. Together, Lewis and Hutchins are tied for 22nd in the nation in scoring.

Aliquippa product Jonathan Baldwin led the Pitt offense in receptions with 54. He also accounted for 1,080 receiving yards, which is second to only Mardy Gilyard’s 1,150 in the Big East.

Baldwin snagged eight touchdown receptions throughout the year, but the team leader in touchdown receptions was tight end Dorin Dickerson with 10. Dickerson’s touchdown total is more than any other tight end in Panthers history.

On the defensive side of the ball, safeties Dom DeCicco, Elijah Fields and Jarred Holley are all tied for the team lead with three interceptions. DeCicco also leads the team in tackles with 85 stops.

Junior defensive end Greg Romeus was the team’s undisputed sack leader, dragging down the quarterback eight times. After Romeus, Myles Caragein and Adam Gunn ranked second with five sacks apiece.

Dan Hutchins finished his first year as the starting kicker with serviceable numbers. Hutchins converted 19-of-24 attempts for a 79 percent success rate. His longest successful try was a 45-yarder.

The Panthers failed to return a punt or a kickoff for a touchdown during the regular season. Aaron Smith fielded 17 punts and averaged 6.4 yards per return.

Cameron Saddler returned 23 kickoffs for an average of 25.7 yards, while Ray Graham took 14 kickoffs for an average of 22.3 yards.

As a team, the Panthers gained 4,799 yards of total offense, which ranks second in the Big East and 45th in the nation.

On defense, Pitt allowed 3,887 yards, which is good enough for second in the Big East and 26th in the NCAA.