Conner named ACC Player of the Year

Pitt running back James Conner built further on his accolade-filled  2014 season on Wednesday afternoon, as the Atlantic Coast Sports Media Association named the sophomore the Atlantic Coast Conference Player of the Year.

The bruising running back received 16 votes for the award, edging out the 2013 recipient, Florida State quarterback Jameis Winston, who received 13 votes.

 Conner was also named the conference’s Offensive Player of the Year, and is the first sophomore running back to earn either accolade. This also marks the second consecutive year that a Pitt player won a major ACC award, as Aaron Donald was named the conference’s Defensive Player of the Year in 2013.

“I’m greatly honored and humbled to receive this honor,” Conner said in a press release. “I want to thank my coaches, teammates and especially my offensive linemen who did such a great job blocking this year.

Conner ranks fourth in the nation in rushing yards with 1675, and set a program record for touchdowns in a season with 24, passing Tony Dorsett’s mark of 23 touchdowns set in 1976.