ISRAEL ABANIKANDA NEWS

Pitt mailbag: Grading each position entering bye week break Welcome to the Pitt mailbag, where the Post-Gazette Pitt athletics reporters answer your questions about the Panthers. If you have a questio...

OCTOBER 11, 2022 • POST-GAZETTE.COM

Sets school-record in win Saturday Abanikanda rushed for 320 yards and six touchdowns in Pittsburgh's 45-29 victory over Virginia Tech.

Impact Abanikanda's 320 rushing yards set the record for most single-game rushing yards in school history. The running back missed the second half of last week's loss to Georgia Tech, but managed to bounce back for a career day. Abanikanda leads the ACC in rushing yards (830) and rushing touchdowns (12) through six games this season.

OCTOBER 9, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Analysis: Israel Abanikanda's historic day masks major problems with Pitt's passing offense in 45-29 win over Virginia Tech There was a lot to celebrate for Pitt’s historic day on the ground, but still, plenty of concerns persist about whether a passing offense wi...

OCTOBER 8, 2022 • POST-GAZETTE.COM

Israel Abanikanda runs for 320 yards, 6 TDs in Pitt's win

Israel Abanikanda ran for 320 yards to break Tony Dorsett’s Pittsburgh record and scored six touchdowns in the Panthers’ 45-29 victory over Virginia Tech on Saturday

OCTOBER 8, 2022 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Did not return Saturday Abanikanda (upper body) did not return in Saturday's 26-21 loss to Georgia Tech.

Impact The running back left the game early with what appeared to be a shoulder injury in Saturday's loss. Abanikanda rushed for 31 yards on 10 carries and no comment was made on his status following the game. It is unclear how sever Abanikanda's injury is moving forward.

OCTOBER 2, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Unlikely to return Saturday Abanikanda (undisclosed) is not expected to return Saturday against Georgia Tech, 247 Sports reports.

Impact This is a big loss for Abanikanda, who was reportedly not on the sidelines for the start of the second half. Vincent Davis is set to take over as the primary back for Pitt for the remainder of Saturday's game, and Abanikanda's next chance to return comes Week 6 against Virginia Tech.

OCTOBER 1, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Committed to excellence from an early age, Pitt's Israel Abanikanda is ready for the spotlight The bright lights and big crowds that come from playing at college football’s highest level aren’t an issue for Israel Abanikanda. Born and....

SEPTEMBER 30, 2022 • POST-GAZETTE.COM

Pitt running back Israel Abanikanda earns his second ACC running back of the Week honor Pitt running back Israel Abanikanda's four-touchdown performance against Rhode Island helped him earn a weekly honor for the second time thi...

SEPTEMBER 27, 2022 • 247SPORTS.COM

Pitt post-game interviews: Pat Narduzzi, Kedon Slovis, Israel Abanikanda, MJ Devonshire, and Calijah Kancey Pitt head coach Pat Narduzzi and several Pitt Panther football players talked with the media after Saturday's 45-24 win over Rhode Island.

SEPTEMBER 26, 2022 • 247SPORTS.COM

Career day in win Abanikanda had 19 carries for 177 yards and four touchdowns in Saturday's 45-24 win over UConn.

Impact Abanikanda stole the show on Saturday as he rushed for 9.3 yard per carry; it seemed like the only thing that could stop him was the goal line as he found pay dirt four times on the day as well.

SEPTEMBER 26, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Scores four times Saturday Abanikanda rushed for 177 yards and four touchdowns to go along with one reception for 19 yards in Saturday's 45-24 victory over Rhode Island.

Impact Abanikanda carried the ball 19 times, averaging over nine yards-per-carry. Saturday's 177 yards rushing marked the third straight game the running back rushed for over 130 yards, racking up six touchdowns in the three game span. Abanikanda was barely touched as he broke out a 67-yard touchdown halfway through the first quarter.

SEPTEMBER 25, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Abanikanda scores 4 TDs, No 24 Pitt beats Rhode Island 45-24

Tailback Israel Abanikanda rushed for four touchdowns and quarterback Kedon Slovis returned from injury to help No. 24 Pitt defeat Rhode Island 45-24

SEPTEMBER 24, 2022 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Israel Abanikanda runs for four touchdowns as Pitt beats Rhode Island 45-24 before the start of ACC play Israel Abanikanda rushed for more than 100 yards for the third straight game as Pitt (3-1, 0-0 ACC) took care of Rhode Island (2-2, 1-1 CAA)...

SEPTEMBER 24, 2022 • 247SPORTS.COM

A closer look at Pitt Panthers running back Israel Abanikanda's start to the 2022 season. After having a dismal season-opening game, Pitt Panthers running back Israel Abanikanda has stepped up in the last two games.

SEPTEMBER 21, 2022 • 247SPORTS.COM

Monster performance in win Saturday Abanikanda rushed for 133 yards and one touchdown in Saturday's 34-13 victory over Western Michigan.

Impact Abanikanda carried the ball 31 times, his most so far this season. The running back caught just one pass, resulting in a loss of five yards. Abanikanda has three touchdowns this season as well as consecutive games rushing for over 120 yards. After three weeks, Abanikanda is tied for the ACC lead with 302 rushing yards.

SEPTEMBER 19, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Abanikanda pushes No. 23 Pitt past Western Michigan 34-13

Pitt junior running back Israel Abanikanda carried the ball 31 times for 131 yards and a touchdown to lead the No. 23 Panthers to a 34-13 victory over Western Michigan

SEPTEMBER 18, 2022 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Pitt depth chart observations: Israel Abanikanda takes lone starting RB role When Pat Narduzzi took the podium Monday afternoon at the UPMC Rooney Sports Complex, we got our first glimpse at Pitt’s official depth char...

AUGUST 29, 2022 • POST-GAZETTE.COM

Back for spring practice Abanikanda (undisclosed) has been a participant in spring practice, Christpoher Carter of DKPGH Sports reports.

Impact Abanikanda was dinged up in Pittsburgh's bowl game but is ready for the offseason program. He ran for 651 yards and seven touchdowns in 2021 and projects to be a major factor in the Panther backfield in the upcoming season.

MARCH 15, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Chik-Fil-A Peach Bowl Press Conference: Pitt Panthers running back Israel Abanikanda Pitt running back Israel Abanikanda spoke with the media ahead of his team's matchup with Michigan State in the Chik-Fil-A Peach Bowl this T...

DECEMBER 28, 2021 • 247SPORTS.COM

Pitt's Israel Abanikanda hit by Wake Forest assistant, responds with 2 TDs in ACC title game Abanikanda went to a knee as he took a shoulder and forearm after ramming into the assistant on the sideline.

DECEMBER 5, 2021 • SPORTINGNEWS.COM

Pitt-Duke analysis: A closer look at the Panthers' running back rotation On the whole, their snaps are similar. According to Pro Football Focus, Pitt’s Israel Abanikanda has recorded 297 offensive snaps this seaso...

NOVEMBER 8, 2021 • POST-GAZETTE.COM

Pitt WR Jordan Addison, RB Israel Abanikanda 'questionable' this weekend against Miami Pitt might be without its top receiver and rusher this weekend. Jordan Addison and Israel Abanikanda, key cogs in one of college football’s...

OCTOBER 25, 2021 • POST-GAZETTE.COM

Listed as co-starter Abanikanda holds a co-starter designation on the season-opening depth chart against UMass.

Impact Abanikanda was labeled the starter to open camp, so, unless something changed drastically over the last couple of weeks, it seems likely he will read the group in carries even if he does have to share some. However, the co-starter designation on the depth chart may suggest that both A.J. Davis and Vincent Davis could siphon away carries again.

SEPTEMBER 1, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Kicker conundrum, co-starters and more: Analyzing Pitt's Week 1 depth chart For the first time in nine months, Pitt has released a new depth chart. Pat Narduzzi spent much of his 20-minute press conference on Monday...

AUGUST 30, 2021 • POST-GAZETTE.COM