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Pitt RB Israel Abanikanda Etches Name in ACC Record Books Again

Pitt Panthers running back Israel Abanikanda continues to cement himself as one of the conference's best rushers of the last decade.
Stephen Thompson|
Pitt RB Israel Abanikanda Etches Name in ACC Record Books Again
Pitt RB Israel Abanikanda Etches Name in ACC Record Books Again

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Pittsburgh Panthers

MIAMI -- Israel Abanikanda didn't need to do anything else to cement his legacy as one of the great Pitt Panthers running back of this modern era, but he did nonetheless in the season finale against Miami. 

Midway through the contest against the Hurricanes, Abanikanda eclipsed another recent Panther great, James Conner by becoming just the second ACC tailback since him to rush for 1,400 yards and 20 touchdowns in a single season. He got there late in the second quarter when he ran for 37 yards right up the gut despite Slovis fumbling the snap from his center, Jake Kradel. 

Abaniknanda, who entertained this game leading the country in scoring per game (11.6) and total touchdowns (19), is a force on the national stage too. Abanikanda also ranked second nationally in all-purpose yards per game (168.60), rushing touchdowns (18) and total points (116) and was sixth in rushing yards per game (132.0), while his 1,320 total rushing yards ranked 11th. 

He only added to those totals tonight and has at least another half left to play in the regular season. He sits at 11 attempts for 90 yards and two touchdowns with 2:46 left in the second period. 

Make sure you bookmark Inside the Panthers for the latest news, exclusive interviews, recruiting coverage and so much more!

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Stephen Thompson
STEPHEN THOMPSON

Stephen Thompson graduated with a bachelor's degree in communications and political science from Pitt in April 2022 after spending four years as a sports writer and editor at The Pitt News, the University of Pittsburgh's independent, student-run newspaper.  He primarily worked the Pitt men's basketball beat, and filled in on coverage of football, volleyball, softball, gymnastics and lacrosse, in addition to other sports as needed. His work at The Pitt News has won awards from the Pennsylvania News Media Association and Associated College Press.  During the spring and summer of 2021, Stephen interned for Pittsburgh Sports Now, covering baseball in western Pennsylvania. Hailing from Washington D.C., family ties have cultivated a love of Boston's professional teams and Pitt athletics, and a fascination with sports in general.  You can reach Stephen by email at stephenethompson00@gmail.com and follow him on Twitter. Read his latest work:

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