Pittsburgh quarterback Mason Heintschel and UCLA linebacker Sammy Omosigho have earned weekly honors from the Maxwell Football Club following standout performances during the 2026 college football season.
Heintschel was named the Maxwell Award Player of the Week after producing a career-best passing performance for Pittsburgh, while Omosigho received Chuck Bednarik Award Player of the Week honors after helping lead UCLA’s defense in a 45-24 victory over California.
The Maxwell Football Club recognizes two players each week during the season. The Maxwell Award Player of the Week honors overall performance on offense, defense or special teams, while the Bednarik Award Player of the Week recognizes outstanding defensive play. Players do not need to be included on either award’s preseason watch list to qualify for the weekly recognition.
Mason Heintschel Delivers Career Performance for Pittsburgh
Heintschel secured Maxwell Award Player of the Week honors after a dominant performance for the Panthers against Miami (OH).
The Pittsburgh quarterback completed 31 of 41 passes for 453 yards and seven touchdowns. He did not throw an interception and also contributed on the ground, rushing five times for 23 yards.
The 453 passing yards established a new career high for Heintschel, while his seven touchdown passes tied Pittsburgh’s school record.
His performance provided the foundation for a productive day by the Panthers’ offense. Completing more than three-quarters of his passes while avoiding turnovers allowed Pittsburgh to consistently move the ball through the air and capitalize on scoring opportunities.
The seven-touchdown showing also placed Heintschel alongside some of the most productive single-game quarterback performances in Pittsburgh history. His ability to combine a high passing volume with efficiency helped separate his performance from other notable efforts during the week.
For Pittsburgh, the quarterback’s latest showing adds momentum as the Panthers move through their 2026 schedule. Heintschel’s development and ability to generate explosive plays through the passing game could play an important role in the program’s offensive performance over the remainder of the season.
Sammy Omosigho Anchors UCLA Defense Against California
UCLA senior linebacker Sammy Omosigho was selected as the Bednarik Award Player of the Week after producing a strong all-around defensive performance against California.
Omosigho finished UCLA’s 45-24 victory with 14 tackles, including seven solo stops. He also recorded two tackles for loss and delivered a sack that resulted in a forced fumble.
The performance came as Omosigho was named a UCLA team captain for the first time, adding another milestone to his senior season.
One of his most significant plays occurred when he attacked from the edge on a blitz, reached quarterback Sagapolutele and knocked the ball loose. The forced fumble highlighted Omosigho’s ability to create disruptive plays in addition to his work as one of UCLA’s leading tacklers.
Omosigho transferred to UCLA from Oklahoma, bringing veteran college football experience to the Bruins’ defensive unit. His performance against California demonstrated the impact of that experience, particularly in a game where UCLA’s defense was tasked with protecting its advantage.
His 14 tackles also underscored his involvement throughout the matchup, with Omosigho contributing against both the run and passing game.
Maxwell Football Club Weekly Awards Spotlight Top Performances
The Maxwell Football Club’s weekly honors provide an opportunity to recognize players based on their performances during the season regardless of whether they were included on preseason award watch lists.
The Maxwell Award Player of the Week can recognize standout contributions across offense, defense and special teams, while the Bednarik weekly honor is focused specifically on defensive performance.
This week, Heintschel’s career-high 453 passing yards and school-record-tying seven touchdown passes earned him the Maxwell recognition, while Omosigho’s 14 tackles, two tackles for loss and forced fumble secured the Bednarik honor.
Both performances played important roles in victories for Pittsburgh and UCLA, giving the two players additional recognition as the 2026 college football season continues.
