Rodney Hammond Content With Role in Pitt Offense
PITTSBURGH -- Pitt Panthers running back Rodney Hammond entered the 2023 season as the top dog at his position but has ended up splitting carries and snaps with Daniel Carter and C'Bo Flemmister through the first three weeks of the regular season.
Hammond said there's more he can do to help a Pitt offense that is averaging just 13.5 points over two contests against FBS competition, but isn't begging his coaches for more touches. He's content with his role in the offense.
“I’m a team player, so I wasn’t frustrated at all," Hammond said. "So whatever we got to do to win, that’s what I’m here to do.”
He rushed seven times for 41 yards on the opening drive of the Backyard Brawl, one of just two possessions that ended in points all night long for the Panthers. But Hammond had to wait more than a full quarter to touch the ball again, while Carter and Flemister stepped in. That's after toting the ball just 11 times in the first two games of the season.
Hammond reiterated that even having to spend time on the sidelines following a hot start didn't change his attitude.
“No, you learn from mistakes and stuff like that so I wasn’t frustrated," he said. "It’s football, that’s how it goes. You know you’re not always going to get the same that you got before.”
Both offensive coordinator Frank Cignetti and head coach Pat Narduzzi said leading up to the West Virginia game that they would make it an emphasis to get Hammond the ball more and they did that, letting him rush 14 times in all against West Virginia.
Hammond and Flemister have begun to emerge as the two primary rushers, with Carter standing in as the third down back because of his versatility, pass-protecting skills and football IQ, according to running backs coach Andre Powell.
He and Flemister can both get the job done as top tailbacks and splitting carries helps them keep each other fresh, Hammond said. With righting the ship from a 1-2 record as the goal, Hammond remains humble and comfortable with how the Pitt offense has used him so far this season.
“We really got a plan for me, so whatever they need me to do, I’ll do it," Hammond said. "I didn’t really look at what was going on. I know we have a plan for me, so I wasn’t really worried about anything”
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