*Israel Abanikanda, Pittsburgh Football News: Draft Scout Player News

09/24/22 - RB *Israel Abanikanda, Jr/2023, Pittsburgh

Tailback Israel Abanikanda rushed for four touchdowns and quarterback Kedon Slovis was solid in his returned from injury as No. 24 Pittsburgh beat Rhode Island 45-24 on Saturday. The Panthers (3-1) rushed for 272 yards and scored at least 30 points for the ninth time in 11 games, and Slovis had plenty of help on the ground from Abanikanda, who had 19 carries for 177 yards. The four touchdowns tied for second-most in program history. It marked the first time a Pitt running back rushed for that many TDs in a game since Darrin Hall against North Carolina on November 2017. Slovis started after missing last week's win at Western Michigan with an undisclosed injury. He was an efficient 20 of 27 for 189 yards. A USC transfer, he hadn't played since the first half of an overtime loss against Tennessee two weeks ago. Marquis DeShields scored a pair of touchdowns for Rhode Island (2-2), the alma mater of Pitt coach Pat Narduzzi. The Rams, playing their first-ever game against a ranked FBS opponent, trailed by 10 points at halftime before Pitt pulled away after the break.

The Panthers took a 7-0 lead the first time they touched the ball on M.J. Devonshire's 82-yard punt return for a touchdown. On Pitt's second possession, Abanikanda ran untouched up the middle for a 67-yard touchdown. It was his second rushing touchdown of 60 yards or more this season. DeShields answered less than a minute later for Rhode Island with a 63-yard touchdown. Abanikanda scored his second touchdown on Pitt's next possession, a 12-yard run to make it a 21-7 game. Slovis ran for a first down and the Panthers converted a fourth down during the 16-play, 82-yard drive that spanned nearly eight minutes. Pitt added a 31-yard field goal and DeShields scored his second touchdown in the final minute of the first half. Abanikanda scored again on Pitt's opening drive of the second half, capping a 10-play, 75-yard drive with a 24-yard run. - Pittsburgh/AP College Football

Jr/2023