Football briefs: Baldwin, Dickerson and the Backyard Brawl

Baldwin earns honors

Sophomore wide receiver Jonathan Baldwin was named Big East offensive… Baldwin earns honors

Sophomore wide receiver Jonathan Baldwin was named Big East offensive player of the week today for his performance in the Panthers’ 27-22 victory over Notre Dame Saturday.

Baldwin led the No. 8 Panthers (9-1, 5-0) with five receptions and 142 yards against the Fighting Irish. He also caught one touchdown, a 36-yard diving catch from a Bill Stull pass, which gave Pitt a 10-3 halftime lead.

The game against Notre Dame became Baldwin’s fifth 100-yard receiving game of the season. For the year, Baldwin has 40 catches for 840 yards and five touchdowns.

The Panthers moved into the top 10 in the BCS standing after their win against the Irish. Following a bye week, the Panthers will head to West Virginia (7-3, 3-2) Nov. 27 before hosting No. 5 Cincinnati (10-0, 6-0) Dec. 5.

Dickerson named semifinalist

Senior tight end Dorin Dickerson was named a semifinalist for the John Mackey Award, which is presented to the nation’s top tight end by the Nassau County Sports Commission. He is one of eight semifinalists.

The Commision will announce the finalists for the Award Nov. 23, with the winner announced at the ESPNU College Football Awards Show Dec. 10.

Dickerson’s 10 touchdown receptions, a Pitt single-season record for a tight end, lead the nation. The next closest tight end has eight touchdown catches.

For the season, Dickerson has 43 receptions for 496 yards. Following Pitt’s 37-10 victory over Syracuse, he was named John Mackey tight end of the week. During the game, he had a career-high 118 receiving yards on seven receptions with one touchdown.

Backyard Brawl in primetime

When the Panthers visit Morgantown Nov. 27 to take on the West Virginia Mountaineers, they will play under a primetime audience.

The 102nd Backyard Brawl will kick off at 7 p.m., and ESPN2 will broadcast it nationally.

The Panthers defeated West Virginia last year 19-15 in Pittsburgh. But this will be Pitt’s first trip to Morgantown since it upset then-No. 2 West Virginia 13-9 on Dec. 1, 2007.

Pitt has a bye this week. After taking on the Mountaineers, the Panthers will finish the regular season against Cincinnati (10-0, 6-0) at Heinz Field. Kickoff for the Dec. 5 game has not been announced.