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Eli Pancol Receives ACC's Brian Piccolo Award
12/2/2024 5:05:00 PM | Football
CHARLOTTE – Duke graduate wide receiver Eli Pancol has been named the recipient of the 2024 Brian Piccolo Award, the Atlantic Coast Conference announced Monday.
The Piccolo Award has been given annually since 1970 in memory of the late Brian Piccolo to the "most courageous" football player in the ACC. As a standout running back at Wake Forest, Piccolo was the ACC Athlete of the Year in 1965 and played for the Chicago Bears before his career was cut short when he was diagnosed with cancer. His courageous fight against the disease was an inspiration to the Bears and the entire football community.
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Pancol, a native of Pendleton, Ind., suffered a broken left ankle in October of 2022, which prevented him from finishing the season. Following that recovery, during the 2023 training camp, he experienced a fracture dislocation of his right ankle, which caused him to miss the entire season.Â
In 56 career games, 26 starts, he has compiled 125 receptions for 1,653 yards (13.22) and 14 touchdowns with seven rushes for 40 yards (5.71) and two scores. Additionally, he has two-plus receptions in 34 games and 20-plus receiving yards in 31 contests. He has caught at least one pass in 27 consecutive games played, dating back to the 2021 campaign.
This season, Pancol started all 12 regular season games and caught 55 passes for 741 yards (61.75) with a single-season high nine touchdowns. His nine receiving scores lead the Blue Devils, rank tied for fourth in the ACC and are tied for the sixth most in a year in Duke history. He is the first Blue Devil to have nine or more TD catches in a season since Eron Riley's nine in 2007.Â
Pancol was named the November 25 ACC Receiver of the Week after recording five catches for 188 yards and three touchdowns against Virginia Tech. He finished an outstanding first quarter with three receptions for 175 yards and two scores. Pancol's first quarter allowed him to join Utah State's Jalen Royals as the only FBS players this season with 175 receiving yards and two receiving touchdowns in a single quarter. During the contest Pancol also became the ninth Blue Devil with three or more TD grabs in a single game. In October versus No. 22 SMU, Pancol set a career high with 11 receptions.Â
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In 2019, Pancol was an Honorable Mention Freshman All-America selection by Pro Football Focus.Â
Pancol joins Mark Johnson (1972), Jeff Green (1976), Aaron Stewart (1981), Marc Mays (1990), Randy Cuthbert (1992) and Scott Youmans (1993) as Blue Devils to receive the Piccolo Award.Â
For more information on Duke Football, follow the Blue Devils on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram by searching "DukeFOOTBALL".
Duke Centennial
In 2024, Duke celebrates its Centennial, marking one hundred years since Trinity College became Duke University. Duke will use this historic milestone to deepen the understanding of its history, inspire pride and strengthen bonds and partnerships, and prepare for a second century of continued excellence and impactful leadership. To learn more, please visit 100.duke.edu.
#GoDuke
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The Piccolo Award has been given annually since 1970 in memory of the late Brian Piccolo to the "most courageous" football player in the ACC. As a standout running back at Wake Forest, Piccolo was the ACC Athlete of the Year in 1965 and played for the Chicago Bears before his career was cut short when he was diagnosed with cancer. His courageous fight against the disease was an inspiration to the Bears and the entire football community.
Â
Pancol, a native of Pendleton, Ind., suffered a broken left ankle in October of 2022, which prevented him from finishing the season. Following that recovery, during the 2023 training camp, he experienced a fracture dislocation of his right ankle, which caused him to miss the entire season.Â
In 56 career games, 26 starts, he has compiled 125 receptions for 1,653 yards (13.22) and 14 touchdowns with seven rushes for 40 yards (5.71) and two scores. Additionally, he has two-plus receptions in 34 games and 20-plus receiving yards in 31 contests. He has caught at least one pass in 27 consecutive games played, dating back to the 2021 campaign.
This season, Pancol started all 12 regular season games and caught 55 passes for 741 yards (61.75) with a single-season high nine touchdowns. His nine receiving scores lead the Blue Devils, rank tied for fourth in the ACC and are tied for the sixth most in a year in Duke history. He is the first Blue Devil to have nine or more TD catches in a season since Eron Riley's nine in 2007.Â
Pancol was named the November 25 ACC Receiver of the Week after recording five catches for 188 yards and three touchdowns against Virginia Tech. He finished an outstanding first quarter with three receptions for 175 yards and two scores. Pancol's first quarter allowed him to join Utah State's Jalen Royals as the only FBS players this season with 175 receiving yards and two receiving touchdowns in a single quarter. During the contest Pancol also became the ninth Blue Devil with three or more TD grabs in a single game. In October versus No. 22 SMU, Pancol set a career high with 11 receptions.Â
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In 2019, Pancol was an Honorable Mention Freshman All-America selection by Pro Football Focus.Â
Pancol joins Mark Johnson (1972), Jeff Green (1976), Aaron Stewart (1981), Marc Mays (1990), Randy Cuthbert (1992) and Scott Youmans (1993) as Blue Devils to receive the Piccolo Award.Â
For more information on Duke Football, follow the Blue Devils on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram by searching "DukeFOOTBALL".
Duke Centennial
In 2024, Duke celebrates its Centennial, marking one hundred years since Trinity College became Duke University. Duke will use this historic milestone to deepen the understanding of its history, inspire pride and strengthen bonds and partnerships, and prepare for a second century of continued excellence and impactful leadership. To learn more, please visit 100.duke.edu.
#GoDuke
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Players Mentioned
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Wednesday, September 03
Jeremiah Hasley Media Availability: Illinois
Tuesday, September 02
Sahmir Hagans Media Availability: Illinois
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