| FORT WORTH, Texas (Sept. 9, 2026) – Pitt’s Mason Heintschel has been voted the first Davey O’Brien National Quarterback of the Week for the 2026 season following his monster performance in a 59-14 victory over Miami (Ohio).
The sophomore from Oregon, Ohio, became the first quarterback since Davey O’Brien National Quarterback Award winner Joe Burrow in 2019 to throw for at least 450 yards and seven touchdowns in a game. Heintschel finished his day 31-for-41 passing (75.6 completion percentage) for 453 yards with no interceptions. His seven touchdown passes established an Atlantic Coast Conference single-game record and tied Pitt’s all-time mark. In addition, Heintschel’s passing yardage total ranks as the third-highest in school history. He finished with a 94.7 total quarterback rating and a 224.76 pass-efficiency rating. Heintschel also was named the ACC Quarterback of the Week. The other quarterbacks on this week’s Great 8 list were Ole Miss’ Trinidad Chambliss, Hauss Hejny of Colorado State, LSU’s Sam Leavitt, Jayden Maiava of USC, Miami’s Darian Mensah, Dante Moore of Oregon and UMass’ William “Pop” Watson III. The Davey O’Brien Foundation was created in 1977 and is celebrating its 50th anniversary season this year. The National Quarterback Award, the oldest and most prestigious college quarterback award, was first issued in 1981. Over its time, the Davey O’Brien Foundation has given away more than $1.4 million in scholarships and university grants to help high school and college athletes transform leadership on the field into leadership in life. In 1938, O’Brien, who wore No. 8 as a star quarterback for TCU, became the first player ever to win the Heisman Trophy, Maxwell Award and Walter Camp Award in the same year. He was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in 1955. 2026 Davey O’Brien National Quarterback of the Week Honorees Week 1: Mason Heintschel, Pitt |
| About the Davey O’Brien National Quarterback Award
The Davey O’Brien National Quarterback Award is presented annually to the nation’s best college quarterback and is the oldest and most prestigious national quarterback award. The Davey O’Brien Award honors candidates who exemplify Davey O’Brien’s enduring character while exhibiting teamwork, sportsmanship and leadership in both academics and athletics. Celebrating its 50th anniversary this year, the Davey O’Brien Foundation, which is headquartered in Fort Worth, Texas, has awarded more than $1.4 million in scholarships and university grants to help high school and college athletes transform leadership on the field into leadership in life. For more information, visit www.DaveyOBrienAward.com. |
