DALLAS (FWAA) The Pitt Panthers headlined a day of upsets when Chris Blewitt booted a 48-yard field goal with six seconds left to stun No. 2 Clemson, 43-42, on the road. For beating their highest-ranked opponent since knocking off No. 2 West Virginia in 2007, the Panthers (6-4) earned the Football Writers Association of America National Team of the Week honor for games of the weekend of Nov. 12.
The announcement was made on "Playbook," hosted by Chris Carlin and Gino Torretta on SiriusXM Radio's "College Sports Nation." Each Monday during the season, the FWAA National Team of the Week will be unveiled during the program, which airs from 1-4 p.m. ET.
Trailing 42-40 going into the final minute, the Panthers defense came up with third- and fourth-down stops with 58 seconds left to keep their chances alive. Nathan Peterman capped off a career day of 308 yards and five touchdowns by connecting with Scott Orndoff on two passes to get Blewitt within range.
"Our team had a lot of guts tonight," Pittsburgh coach Pat Narduzzi said.
Pitt handed Clemson its first home loss since 2013 and ended the Tigers 23-game regular-season win streak dating back to November 2014. James Connor rushed for 132 yards and a touchdown and also caught one of Peterman·s scoring passes.
This is Pitts first time to be selected as the FWAA National Team of the Week since the award·s inception in the 2002 season.
The other National Team of the Week nominee for the weekend of Nov. 12 was:
Iowa (6-4): Freshman kicker Keith Duncan nailed a 33-yard field goal as time expired Saturday to send Iowa past No. 3 Michigan, 14-13, at sold-out Kinnick Stadium. After an Iowa defensive stop, a face mask penalty by Michigan on Iowa·s punt return set the Hawkeyes up at the Michigan 36-yard line to start the final drive. It was Iowa's first home win over a ranked opponent since 2011 · also against Michigan · and the Hawkeyes· first win over a top-five opponent since 2010 against Michigan State.
The Football Writers Association of America has named a national team of the week since the 2002 season. Members of the 12-person FWAA All-America Committee – plus one fan vote from Twitter – decide the weekly honor.
Founded in 1941, the Football Writers Association of America consists of 1,400 men and women who cover college football.
The membership includes journalists, broadcasters and publicists, as well as key
executives in all the areas that involve the game. The FWAA works to govern areas
that include game-day operations, major awards and its annual All-America team.
For more information about the FWAA and its award programs, contact Steve Richardson
at tiger@fwaa.com.