Pittsburgh Quarterback Kenny Pickett Wins the 2021 Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award
BALTIMORE — Kenny Pickett has won the 2021 Johnny Unitas Golden Arm AwardÒ, presented annually by the Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Educational Foundation Inc. and A.O. Smith Corp. to the nation’s top quarterback who best exemplifies character, scholastic and athletic achievement. Pickett is the first Pittsburgh Panther to win this prestigious award.
Through 13 games, Pickett has completed 67.2% of his passes (334 of 497) for 4,319 yards with 42 touchdowns and only seven interceptions, including his five rushing scores. The New Jersey native has totaled 47 touchdowns this season. His passing yardage, passing touchdowns, total TDs, and completions are all Pitt records. He also set an ACC season record for touchdown passes, eclipsing the prior mark of 41. Pickett is piloting the country's No .3 unit in scoring (43.0 points per game) and No. 5 in total offense (502.9 yards per game). The redshirt senior stands as the Panthers' all-time leader in passing yards (12,303), pass completions (1,045), total offense (13,112), touchdown responsibility (102), and passing touchdowns (81). Pickett has 20 career rushing touchdowns, a new standard for a Pitt quarterback. His 4,319 passing yards, 42 passing touchdowns, 47 total TDs, and 334 completions are Pitt single-season marks. Finally, he surpasses the school record for career touchdown passes since Dan Marino, who threw 79 during his iconic Pitt career from 1979-1982, Pickett has 81 for his career.