McKinley, Sewell honored by Pac-12
10/14/19 | Football
SAN FRANCISCO, Calif. – Following a commanding 42-point Pac-12 home win over Colorado, Oregon sophomore offensive lineman Penei Sewell and redshirt freshman safety Verone McKinley III were recognized with a pair of Pac-12 weekly awards on Monday.
Sewell earned the Pac-12 Offensive Lineman of the Week honor for the third time this season, while McKinley claimed the league's defensive player of the week nod. McKinley is the first Duck to win the Pac-12 defensive player of the week award since Ugochukwu Amadi on Oct. 1, 2018.
Sewell was the highest graded offensive lineman in the Pac-12 for the third time this season by Pro Football Focus. He finished with a grade of 92.7 over 65 snaps at left tackle in Oregon's 45-3 win. Sewell was the only offensive lineman in week 7 to finish with a pass blocking (90.2) and run blocking grade (94.1) both over 90 by PFF. Sewell led the Ducks with six knockdowns and did not allow a pressure, hurry or hit on quarterback Justin Herbert for the fourth time this season.
McKinley finished with two interceptions and a career-best five tackles against the Buffaloes. He became just the second FBS freshman to pick off two passes in a game this season while helping Oregon hold its fifth consecutive opponent to single-digit points. McKinley also contributed to a third Colorado interceptions when he deflected a pass that Bryson Young intercepted.
Sewell Honors and Notes
» He is the highest graded lineman (94.0) in the country for the season by Pro Football Focus.
» Oregon is 11-2 in two season with Sewell in the starting lineup.
» He has been the highest graded tackle in the Pac-12 in five of 13 career games by PFF.
» Outland Trophy National Player of the Month (September)
» Pac-12 Offensive Lineman of the Week (Week 7)
» Pac-12 Offensive Lineman of the Week (Week 4)
» Pac-12 Offensive Lineman of the Week (Week 3)
» Three-time PFF National Team of the Week (Weeks 3, 4 & 7)
» Four-time PFF Pac-12 Team of the Week (Weeks 1, 3, 4 & 7)
McKinley Notes
» The two interceptions were the first of his career.
» All three turnovers he contributed to led to Oregon touchdowns.
» He became first Duck with two picks in a game since Thomas Graham Jr. had a pair of interceptions at Oregon State on Nov. 23, 2018.
» He joins linebacker Troy Dye as the only two active members of the Ducks' team to win a Pac-12 Defensive Player of the Week award.
» He is the first Duck freshman to win the conference defensive player of the week honor since Dye claimed the award on Sept. 5, 2016.
