As far as running back problems go, Pat Narduzzi and Frank Cignetti Jr. have an ideal one on their hands.
The hype around the position built all throughout training camp with the implementation of Cignetti's offense, and it had been teased ad nauseam that the Panthers wouldn't rely on one guy, but rather a stable of four or five throughout the season.
If Thursday's Backyard Brawl was any indication of that, consider Pitt loaded at the position.
But, was it a flash in the pan, or was it a sign of things to come?
The Panthers' initial depth chart prior to the Brawl listed Israel Abanikanda as the starter and Rodney Hammond Jr. as the clear backup without any "or" designation. Meanwhile, Vincent Davis "or" C'Bo Flemister was listed as the third-stringer, with no mention of Daniel Carter, who is utilized more as a blocker or an I-formation fullback anyway.
Usually, the "or" can be taken in the context that a more evened split would be seen at the position. But, on Thursday, that wasn't the case.
Hammond not only out-gained Abanikanda, but he doubled the starter's amount of touches. Hammond carried the ball 16 times to Abanikanda's eight, and he had two receptions to Abanikanda's one. Both were excellent after the catch -- Hammond registered a 49-yard play that later set up his second rushing touchdown, and Abanikanda recorded a 24-yard TD reception on which he did most of the work after the catch.
"The local guys here can tell you, Rodney is a football player," Narduzzi said after the Backyard Brawl. "Izzy came on -- he's another guy that said, 'Coach, I started slow.' -- but he came on, which he did. It's great when the kids are telling you, 'Hey, I didn't do it good enough. I wasn't good.' But Rodney came in there, and he runs hard. He's a bull, and that's no surprise to the locals."
We saw Flemister carry the ball once, but he fumbled it around the line of scrimmage and was able to fall on it for no gain. That was during Pitt's third drive of the game (out of 13), and Flemister didn't register another carry from that point.
Carter carried it twice but was used each time in short-yardage situations. His 1-yard TD run in the third quarter tied the game at 17.
Davis, despite being the "third-string" running back did not register a carry or a catch, but was utilized on special teams instead.
What does this mean? Why did Hammond earn double of Abanikanda's touches? Why wasn't Davis used AT ALL in the running game? Was Flemister thrown in the dog house after his fumble?
While looking at plays made by quarterback Kedon Slovis, Abanikanda was utilized more than Hammond in the play-action game, while the Panthers disguised looks by bringing in an extra tackle for run or pass blocking. Abanikanda was also used in pass protection, while Hammond more often than not escaped the backfield on a pass-catching route.
There's something to this, and it's clear that Narduzzi and Cignetti have a formula for these running backs. If the Backyard Brawl showed us anything, it's that the hot hand will get the carries and will be relied upon.
I'd consider that a good sign, especially in that circumstance Narduzzi mentioned, where Abanikanda admitted that he had a slow start to the game.
But, will the personnel stay the same into Saturday's Johnny Majors Classic, against No. 24 Tennessee?
Looking at the Week 2 depth chart, Hammond *on paper* appears to have earned more of a role. The starter at running back for Tennessee is Abanikanda "OR" Hammond -- in all-caps. The third-stringer is Davis "or" Flemister -- in lowercase, just as it was in Week 1.
Hammond's play certainly reflected that.
This, of course, hinges on Hammond's health. His right leg was rolled over during a fourth-quarter hit on which West Virginia's Wesley McCormick was ejected for targeting, and Hammond walked into the post-game press conference with a boot on his right foot. Narduzzi doesn't answer questions on injuries and we can't disclose practice participation publicly beyond what Narduzzi reveals, so we'll have to wait and find his status out on Saturday before kickoff.
In the meantime, Pitt clearly has something bright on its hands. Abanikanda is dynamic in all three phases (including as a kick returner) while Hammond showcased his ability in the passing game with his lengthy catch-and-run to set up his TD.
Notwithstanding, Hammond's two rushing TDs were four-yards-and-a-cloud-of-dust runs, with offensive lineman reserve Ryan Jacoby helping push the pile on his one score.
"I just know we had to keep pushing and doing whatever it takes to win," Hammond said. "I told the offensive line, 'Anything I can do to help, I'm going to do it.' The short downs, my goal is to get the first down, no matter what. I don't care if they have 50 men on the field. I was going to go get it."
If Hammond misses the Tennessee game, that makes this whole dynamic that much more fluid. Abanikanda becomes the one to have the clear lion's share, but will it be Flemister or Davis that handles Hammond's duties? If Hammond dresses, how much does he actually play? Does Abanikanda tote the ball 20-plus times regardless?
(For what it's worth, there was a positive outlook on Deslin Alexandre's apparent arm injury after the game from Narduzzi, while he didn't comment on Hammond. Hammond said after the game: "I'm good. I'm ready for next week." So, take that for what you may.)
Tennessee allowed 74 net rushing yards to Ball State in its blowout win last Thursday.
No disrespect to #MACtion, but, let's get serious here. It's Ball State.
But, Tennessee registered just two tackles for loss and did not record a sack against the Cardinals, so there's still some of the 2021 defense in there which was barely a Top 100 defense in all of Football Bowl Subdivision last season.
Pitt is aware there were missteps from its offensive linemen -- mainly from a technical standpoint -- and Tennessee doesn't have a Dante Stills on its line like West Virginia did, even for as talented as Volunteers nose tackles Omari Thomas and LaTrell Bumphis are.
"We didn't really play to our standard," offensive line coach Dave Borbely said. "I thought we did a poor job overall protecting the quarterback. The running game we kind of got going early. Honestly, I was not pleased with it. I did not think we played up to the standard we should've played to."
Pitt was without starting right tackle Gabe Houy, and Matt Goncalves was rotated in favor of Branson Taylor towards the end of the game. Jake Kradel and Blake Zubovic each saw playing time, with Zubovic coming in as an extra linemen in some sets, to offset the absence of tight end Karter Johnson (infection).
Pitt rushed for 76 net yards against West Virginia, but the only running back to lose yardage was Abanikanda (1 yard). Hammond tallied 129 all-purpose yards, which included 74 on the ground.
Don't expect that 76-yard figure to hold. The offensive line clearly had areas to improve in, and that unit doesn't see as much substitution as Pitt actually used against the Mountaineers. Plus, there's expectation that Flemister will rebound and gain some more touches -- certainly more than one per game -- and that Davis will factor in at some point.