Paris Ford and Jake Kradel make PFF Team of the Week

Pitt’s thorough 55-0 defeat of Austin Peay on Saturday turned plenty of heads in the world of college football. It earned the team a No. 25 ranking in the AP poll, and it paid dividends for Paris Ford and Jake Kradel, who earned Team of the Week honors from Pro Football Focus.

Ford set the tone for the Pitt defense in the win, as he capped off the Panthers’ first defensive stand by bringing down Governors running back Brian Snead for a three-yard loss and picking off Governors quarterback Jeremiah Oatsvall on the next play. He would finish the game with one interception and three tackles, including the one tackle for a loss.

Kradel’s individual contributions are difficult to quantify, but he was visibly dominant throughout the game. In addition to that, he was a key contributor on an offensive line that paved the way for Pitt’s running backs to gain 147 yards and score six touchdowns, while allowing just one sack and six tackles for losses in the contest. Kenny Pickett also had plenty of time to work, as he threw for 277 yards and one touchdown in two quarters.

Ford and Kradel were far from the only standouts in Pitt’s lopsided win over Austin Peay, but both of them distinguished themselves with consistently solid play. They will look to build on their strong performances when Pitt hosts Syracuse on Saturday.