PITTSBURGH — Redshirt senior running back C’Bo Flemister stepped up for Pitt in their 19-9 victory over No. 20 Syracuse Saturday at Acrisure Stadium.
With starting running back, junior Israel Abanikanda, taken out of the lineup at the beginning of the game, the Panthers relied on sophomore running back Rodney Hammond Jr. to fill that role.
Hammond did a great job in the victory, rushing 28 times for a career-high 125 yards and touchdown, but much of the discussion post-game focused on Flemister’s production.
Flemister came into the Syracuse game with just 11 carries for 45 yards in 2022. Narduzzi entrusted him as the ball carrier in the third quarter and he delivered, rushing 10 times for 42 yards and a touchdown where he somersaulted over the offensive line.
Flemister didn’t intend to flip into the end zone, although he did intend to leap. He didn’t appreciate that the referees marked him down on the play prior.
“It felt awesome,” Flemister said about his third quater performance post-game. “It felt awesome just to be able to go out there and help affect the game in a positive manner.
Flemister said that knowing Pitt’s offense, he knows that they will run the ball. So when he got the opportunity to go in, he knew he needed to make a big impact for his team in a close game.
“He also said that this performance is a result of the hard work that he and the running back unit puts in at practice. That work gives them the confidence to know that any player will perform at the highest level when they run the ball for the Panthers.
“We go hard all week, every week in practice,” Flemister said. “We know Izzy is going to receive the bulk of the carries, but just us being unselfish players, whoever’s hot or whoever’s going at it, we don’t care. We really feel like RBU [Running back University]. Whoever’s in the game. There’s no drop off for anybody, whoever’s in the game. So just having the opportunity myself, and being able to contribute, I mean, it’s just a blessing honestly. I’ve been waiting on my time and it came and I’m just glad I was able to seize the opportunity.”
After he scored the touchdown, Flemister’s teammates came and celebrated with him. That touchdown rush is the first of his career as a Panther.
Hammond echoed similar remarks to Flemister, as he also filled in for Abanikanda, in that whenever a running back comes in, they know their job and what is required of them. He also praised Flemister for his performance in the win over Syracuse.
“It felt good, cause C’Bo like the ‘old head’ of the group,” Hammond said after Flemister’s touchdown. “When he scored, it had us excited because it was his first one that he got. So it really had us excited.”
Panthers head coach Pat Narduzzi joined Hammond in his praise for Flemister and the depth he provides for the team. He also said that he hopes that he’ll return next year and provide the same production in 2023.
“He’s got another year,” Narduzzi said post-game. “I hope he comes back because I think that guy can be really, really good. He started off slow in camp, but C’Bo is a football player. He’s tough, he’s physical. He’s just got some juice to him. That drive was all him. Obviously besides that third quarter drive, he did a heck of a job.”
Understand Syracuse had injuries in the OL, QB and it showed. The sub QB was pressured all day. And for the first time this season, Pitt brought pressure on almost every play, a LB, or a DB.
Something for UVA to consider next week.