The Running Back U Tradition

Pittsburgh running back James Conner carries the ball down the field as Penn State safety Malik Golden chases during an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Sept. 10, 2016, at Heinz Field in Pittsburgh. (Abby Drey/Centre Daily Times via AP)
Pittsburgh running back James Conner carries the ball down the field as Penn State safety Malik Golden chases during an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Sept. 10, 2016, at Heinz Field in Pittsburgh. (Abby Drey/Centre Daily Times via AP)

Tony Dorsett is the most recognized name when college football fans talk about the history of Pitt running backs.  But, since the start of this century it seems like when the starting running back graduates there is one ready to step in to take their place.  Am I saying they are all Tony Dorsett (1973-76), no not even close because there will only be one Dorsett who had career numbers of 1,163 carries, 6, 526 yards and 59 Touchdowns. Dorsett also added 42 receptions for 415 yards and 4 Touchdowns.

Now there was a little lull after Dorsett until 2000, but there were a few during those periods at PITT including Craig Heyward (1984-87).  Heyward piled up 691 carries for 3,086 yards and 24 Touchdowns.  He also added 61 receptions for 638 yards and 2 touchdowns.

Next up would be Curtis Martin (1991-94) who ran it 518 times for 2,643 yards and 15 touchdowns and added 89 receptions for 749 yards and 2 touchdowns. And at the turn of the century Pitt had Kevan Barlow (1997-2000) who had 486 carries for 2,324 yards and 20 touchdowns and added 36 receptions for 500 yards and 4 touchdowns.

Now to the reason I am mentioning all of this is some how the Pitt coaching staffs have consistently been able to find running backs in High School and make them into top tier running backs since 2000.  And it all started with Brandon Miree (2002-03) who transferred from Alabama and carried the ball 329 times for 1,516 and 10 touchdowns with Pitt and he added 27 receptions for 253 yards and a touchdown receiving.  And that transitioned to Lerod Stephons-Howling (2005-08) who had 429 carries for 1959 yards and 15 touchdowns as well as 52 receptions for 454 yards and a touchdown.  Which then transitioned to Lesean McCoy (2007-08) during the same time period and he had 584 carries for 2,816 yards and 35 touchdowns and added 65 receptions for 549 yards and a touchdown.  This tandem led to the tandem of Dion Lewis (2009-10) and Ray Graham (2009-12). Lewis carried the ball 544 times for 2,860 yards and 30 touchdowns as well as 52 receptions for 405 yards and 1 touchdown.  Graham had 595 carries for 3,271 yards and 32 touchdowns and gathered in 98 receptions for 799 yards and 4 touchdowns.

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