Pat Narduzzi was right on the money about one thing Thursday night. Whether it’s Rodney Hammond Jr. or Izzy Abanikanda (or C’Bo Flemister or Daniel Carter, in this case), rushing success will be non-existent if there’s no blocking upfront.
PITTSBURGH — Pitt wasn’t especially good against Boston College, but it’s amazing what competent quarterback play — at the very least — can do for a football team.
I’ll admit that I’m shocked Rodney Hammond Jr. is on pace for 423 rushing yards this season. That would be a career low. And for the first time in his Pitt career, Izzy Abanikanda isn’t on the roster.
If Israel Abanikanda hadn’t gone off against Virginia Tech last season, if the game was just wiped from record books, VT would’ve allowed just 1,161 rushing yards (at about 116 yards per game) in 10 games last season.
If not for Gavin Bartholomew, and Rodney Hammond Jr. at times, the Pitt offense would be a black hole this season. 88th in scoring offense, 114th in total offense, 107th in passing offense, 89th in rushing offense.
Pat Narduzzi was asked point-blank Thursday at his weekly press conference if Phil Jurkovec will start against No. 17 North Carolina this weekend. “Yes,” he said immediately.
There was a sentiment around the UPMC Rooney Sports Complex last week that Rodney Hammond Jr. needed more touches. Whether it was Pat Narduzzi saying he’d like to give Hammond 50 carries against West Virginia or Frank Cignetti Jr.
Favorites are the easy wager to make in the college football futures market, with history pointing to the SEC and an occasional Big Ten team to be among the last teams standing.