Abanikanda breaks Dorsett's rushing record in Pitt win over Virginia Tech taken at Acrisure Stadium (Pitt)

Pitt Athletics

Pitt's Israel Abanikanda rushes during Saturday's game against Virginia Tech.

Pitt

Abanikanda breaks Dorsett's rushing record in Pitt win over Virginia Tech

By Corey Crisan

Oct 8, 2022 • 11:10 pm

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Do you think Pitt missed Israel Abanikanda last week against Georgia Tech?

Abanikanda returned after missing the second half of the upset loss to the Yellow Jackets to burst for TWO major Pitt records against the Hokies. 

The single-game record for rushing yards in Pitt history now reads as follows: 1. Israel Abanikanda. 2. Tony Dorsett.

The single-game record for rushing touchdowns in Pitt history now reads as follows: T-1: Israel Abanikanda (2022), T-1: Norman "Bill" Budd (1910 against Ohio).

Abanikanda reached rarified air with his unbelievable and historic performance of 36 carries for 320 yards and six touchdowns, as the Panthers defeated Virginia Tech 45-29 in a much-needed rebound effort following its swoon to Georgia Tech a week ago in the ACC opener.

His 320 yards snap Dorsett's single-game record of 303 yards against Notre Dame on Nov. 15, 1975. But, Abanikanda's record setting day including more than just the two above school records. 

He became the first Pitt running back to rush for five scores in a game since his teammate, Vincent Davis, did so in 2020 against Georgia Tech. He is also the second player to rush for six touchdowns in a game against Virginia Tech, joining former Miami running back Willis McGahee, who did it against the Hokies in 2002. 

Abanikanda also tied the ACC record for rushing TDs in a game.

"That's amazing," Abanikanda said. "I was real happy. I was honored. And now I thank my O-line. I'll thank God first, and my family, and my O-line, and my whole team -- running backs, quarterbacks, defense, too. Even my coaches. Thank everybody."

According to ESPN Stats and Info, Abanikanda is the first Power Five or Bowl Championship Series player to eclipse 300 rushing yards and six rushing TDs in a game since Ricky Williams did so in 1998.

"Breaking a record, a Tony Dorsett record, it's been there for a long, long time," Pat Narduzzi said. "I've told you for a long time, in the right style offense, I think someone asked the question -- that we run first. Probably should be. He's got breakaway speed. If he pops in there, good luck to you. Not many guys can catch him. Over 300 yards rushing and he only had 36 carries. Probably could've given it to him another 10 times. He carried it and cramped up a little bit, I was like, 'Get him out.'

"Izzy's a football player. Izzy's really good."

Abanikanda also gave Pitt a much-needed rebound victory if it hoped to get its season back onto the tracks.

But it wasn't smooth gains for Pitt (4-2, 1-1 ACC) to begin. One week after throwing it three times, going nowhere, and punting to start the game against Georgia Tech, Pitt ran it three times, lost four yards, and punted from its own 1-yard line against the Hokies. As Pitt trotted off the field following the three-and-out, a raining of boos came down from the Panther faithful.

Pitt was then pushed back to start on its own 5 after a Virginia Tech three-and-out, but embarked on a scoring drive which included balance -- five runs and six passes -- and was aided by a defensive pass interference call on the Hokies' Armani Chatman. 

While it took a bit to come together, Pitt's offense got some of its swagger back with the breakout performance by Abanikanda. After missing him for the second half against Georgia Tech, he came back and provided an immediate spark for the Panthers in scoring a 38-yard TD to cap off the 11-play, 95-yard drive to put the Panthers up 7-0 with 3:53 to play in the opening quarter.

That led to a Hokies touchdown drive, aided by a roughing the passer call on Deslin Alexandre on a Grant Wells 37-yard completion to Kaleb Smith, which took the Hokies from their own 33 down to the Pitt 15. Malachi Thomas plunged in for a 5-yard TD, but Pitt held a 7-6 lead with 2:50 left in the first quarter after Deandre Jules blocked the extra-point attempt. 

Pitt went three-and-out on its ensuing possession, and the Hokies (2-4, 1-2 ACC) would go to score 10 unanswered points to grab a 16-7 lead with 10:45 to play in the opening half following a Kedon Slovis interception deep in Hokies territory.

That first Abanikanda TD near the end of the first quarter, though, only got things started for Pitt's RB1, who had his arm in a sling on the sideline in the second half against the Yellow Jackets a week prior.

The Panthers would go on to score 24 points over their next six drives, which included Abanikanda's second, third, and fourth TD runs of 17 yards (as he pinballed off of a host of Hokies tacklers), 29 yards, and 5 yards, to give the Panthers a 31-16 lead with 6:48 to play in the third.

That fourth TD gave Abanikanda his second four-TD game of the season, matching his effort against Rhode Island two weeks prior.

He also noted that was the point where he knew something special was brewing.

"I was just thinking that, oh, it's my second game with four touchdowns," Abanikanda said. "So I'm on to something great.

"I was angry after the (Georgia Tech) game, so I just wanted to show it this game and show people what I'm capable of."

Abanikanda's fifth touchdown -- a 10-yard run which put Pitt ahead 38-29 with 10:40 left in the game -- gave him 11 rushing scores for the season, which was the most for a Pitt player since Qadree Ollison's 11 in 2018. Ollison took 14 games to do it, and Abanikanda needed just six.

He also needed just six games to break Ollison's recent mark, as his sixth TD of the game was also his 12th rushing score of the season. It also tied Budd's 112-year record for most rushing TDs in a game in Pitt history. 

"It's super exciting," center Jake Kradel said. "Izzy had a hell of a game. Six touchdowns, 320 (yards), that's amazing. I'm super excited for him, and super excited for our offensive line. We finally put a full game together and ran the ball."

Abanikanda's sixth score was the perfect encore performance. It was an 80-yard explosive breakthrough to give the Panthers their 45-29 advantage with 7:56 remaining.

By that point, Abanikanda had amassed 34 carries for 298 yards and the six scores.

"It feels amazing," Abanikanda said. "Unreal. But, also, I know what I'm capable of. I know what I can do. It's nothing new to me, but it felt unreal breaking these legendary players' records."

To the tune of "IZ'ZY! IZ'ZY!" chants from the crowd, on Pitt's next possession, Abanikanda trotted onto the field needing six yards to break Dorsett's single-game record.

On the first play of that possession, Abanikanda took it from Slovis and knifed forward for exactly six yards and the record.

He put the cherry on top with a 16-yard gain immediately after, but left the game for good following that play with cramping.

"We're not looking at any records," Narduzzi said. "We're just trying to win a football game. I had no idea about the record. E.J. (Borghetti, of Pitt athletic communications) told me after the game. We're just trying to -- we know Izzy is a good football player, so every week he has a chance to -- if we get him 36 carries, he's got a chance to break the 200-yard mark. Again, he pops through there, you don't know what it's going to be."

Slovis didn't need to throw it much, but there was still a little more to be desired once he did. He completed 15 of 28 passes for 170 yards and an interception, but Pitt converted on just two explosive pass plays -- one each to Gavin Bartholomew for 24 yards in the second quarter, and to leading receiver Jaden Bradley (five catches, 66 yards) for a 37-yard gain in the third quarter.

Baby steps, though, for the passing offense. This came one week after Pitt's offense was confusing at best and inept at worst in the loss to Georgia Tech.

"I thought we definitely found rhythm in this game a lot quicker," Slovis said. "It's really nice as a quarterback to have that."

MORE FROM THE GAME

• Erick Hallett II's interception on a Virginia Tech Hail Mary to end the first half was Pitt's first generated turnover since Hallett's second interception in the Western Michigan game, in Week 3.

• The unquestioned turning point of the game -- sans any of Abanikanda's runs -- was John Morgan's strip of Hokies receiver Kaleb Smith at midfield, which was recovered by Panthers linebacker Shayne Simon. After that came a 19-yard run by Abanikanda -- with 10 extra yards tacked on because of a late hit -- and Abanikanda's fifth TD of the day.

"That's a lot," Hallett said. "I think a lot of times we're trying to go out there and change the momentum. We're not necessarily looked at to score, put points on the board, but we go out there and change momentum and obviously stop them from scoring. With a play like that, it swings momentum, and then you have a play like Izzy's and somebody plays like Izzy. It feeds off of us, and that's the product you get."

• Check out some of the social media reaction to Abanikanda's day:

THE HIGHLIGHTS

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THE ESSENTIALS

• Box score
• Live file
• Top 25 scores
• Schedule
• ACC standings
• Statistics

THE INJURIES

• DID NOT DRESS: LT Carter Warren, OC Owen Drexel, WR Konata Mumpfield, WR Jaylon Barden, LB Brandon George.

• PLAYED: DT Devin Danielson.

• DRESSED, DID NOT PLAY: RB Rodney Hammond.

• OUT FOR THE SEASON: DL Nate Temple, CB Rashad Battle.

THE SCHEDULE 

• Pitt is treated to an open week next week, and it will resume action when it begins a two-game roadtrip beginning Oct. 22 at Louisville. Kickoff time and broadcast information are still to be announced.

THE CONTENT

• Visit the Pitt team page and my Twitter page for more from Acrisure Stadium. Gary Morgan and I are recording a new H2P Podcast Sunday afternoon, so check for that on all platforms on Monday.

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