Pitt: 2015 Football Season Fan Poll Awards

Nov 27, 2015; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Pittsburgh Panthers wide receiver Tyler Boyd (23) runs the ball against the Miami Hurricanes during the third quarter at Heinz Field. Miami won 29-24. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports

Offensive Player of the Year

Fan Vote: Tyler Boyd

My Vote: Nathan Peterman

This was one of two times my vote differed from that of the fans. By no means are the fans incorrect, though.

To explain my vote, I do not believe the Panthers have eight wins at the end of the season without the play and leadership of Peterman at the helm. I raved about Chad Voytik during the spring and fall and thought he was the man for the job. However, Peterman stepped in, managed well and ran with the job from there. It’s good to be wrong, when warranted. I digress.

The award goes to the main receiver targeted by Peterman, Tyler Boyd. Boyd as expected, was the most diverse player on the offense. He reeled in 85 passes for 873 yards, 6 touchdowns, and averaged 79.6 yards per game as a receiver. The most understated aspect of his game this past season could have been his ability to open up the run game for others by running the ball himself.

Does the jet-sweep play ring a bell?

Yes, the numbers aren’t unbelievable, rushing the ball just 11 times for 35 yards, and no scores but he averaged 8.4 yards per carry, allowing the defense to key on him each time he went in motion with a runner in the backfield. It was the way in which he influenced the game without touching the ball that could be the most valuable part of his game.

As a surprise, he was left off of the Biletnikoff award ballot. Something tells me the preseason off-the-field incident might have tarnished his image to the committee.

Either way, he was a first team all-ACC performer in his junior year and an immense influence to the flow of the Pitt offense.

Boyd needs just 127 yards against Navy to reach 1000 yards for the third straight season.

Voting Breakdown:

Tyler Boyd: 56.86%

Nathan Peterman: 21.40%

Qadree Ollison: 19.40%

J.P. Holtz: 2.01%

Scott Orndoff: .33%

Next: Player of the Year