University of Pittsburgh Athletics
Abanikanda, Minor Earn ACC Player of the Week Accolades
10/10/2022 1:00:00 PM | Football
PITTSBURGH—Pitt running back Israel Abanikanda and offensive guard Marcus Minor earned ACC Player of the Week accolades for their performances in the Panthers' 45-29 victory over Virginia Tech.
Abanikanda was named ACC Running Back of the Week for the third time this season; he previously received the honor for his performances against Tennessee and Rhode Island. Facing a top-25 ranked rushing defense, the junior went off for 320 yards and six touchdowns on 36 carries (8.9 avg.). His rushing yardage and rushing TDs are the most by an FBS player in a game this season.
Minor was the spearhead up front for that record-setting performance and earned the ACC Offensive Lineman of the Week award for the first time in his career.
Abanikanda, who yesterday was named the Walter Camp National Offensive Player of the Week for his Virginia Tech performance, achieved several remarkable milestones on Saturday, including:
Minor, who hails from Lanham, Md., and graduated from DeMatha Catholic, was Pitt's highest-graded offensive lineman in the win over the Hokies. He was at the point of attack for three of Abanikanda's biggest runs. In the pass game, Minor gave up zero quarterback pressures and zero sacks.
The Panthers compiled a season-high 496 yards, including 326 on the ground.
The Panthers (4-2, 1-1 ACC) are idle this week. They return to action on Oct. 22 at Louisville. The game will be an ACC Network telecast and kick off at 8 p.m.
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Abanikanda was named ACC Running Back of the Week for the third time this season; he previously received the honor for his performances against Tennessee and Rhode Island. Facing a top-25 ranked rushing defense, the junior went off for 320 yards and six touchdowns on 36 carries (8.9 avg.). His rushing yardage and rushing TDs are the most by an FBS player in a game this season.
Minor was the spearhead up front for that record-setting performance and earned the ACC Offensive Lineman of the Week award for the first time in his career.
Abanikanda, who yesterday was named the Walter Camp National Offensive Player of the Week for his Virginia Tech performance, achieved several remarkable milestones on Saturday, including:
- He broke the legendary Tony Dorsett's school single-game rushing record of 303 yards set against Notre Dame on Nov. 15, 1975. Additionally, Abanikanda tied the 112-year-old school record for rushing touchdowns in a game, set by Norman Budd against Ohio on Oct. 29, 1910.
- In ACC annals, Abanikanda tied the conference single-game rushing TDs mark held by North Carolina's Kelvin Bryant (set against East Carolina on Sept. 12, 1981). Abanikanda's rushing yardage in a game ranks fourth all-time among ACC backs.
- Per ESPN Stats & Info, Abanikanda joins LaDanian Tomlinson and Ricky Williams as the only players from current Power 5 programs to rush for 300 yards and score six rush TDs in a game over the last 25 seasons.
Minor, who hails from Lanham, Md., and graduated from DeMatha Catholic, was Pitt's highest-graded offensive lineman in the win over the Hokies. He was at the point of attack for three of Abanikanda's biggest runs. In the pass game, Minor gave up zero quarterback pressures and zero sacks.
The Panthers compiled a season-high 496 yards, including 326 on the ground.
The Panthers (4-2, 1-1 ACC) are idle this week. They return to action on Oct. 22 at Louisville. The game will be an ACC Network telecast and kick off at 8 p.m.
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