Pitt junior running back Israel Abanikanda continues to receive accolades for his incredible play this season. He earned a place as a semifinalist for the Walter Camp Award on Wednesday, one of just 22 players to do so.
Abanikanda leads the ACC in rushing yards, with 1,207, which is 300 more than the next player, and also in rushing touchdowns with 17. He is eighth in the FBS in total rushing yards, sixth with 134.7 rushing yards per game in the nine he played this season and is tied for second in rushing touchdowns. Abanikanda sits in first place in the country with 18 total touchdowns and is ranked second with 172.44 all-purpose yards per game.
He is one of just two ACC players who are a semifinalist for the award, joining star UNC first-year quarterback, Derek Maye. Abanikanda is also one of five running backs in the country to make it on to this list.
Abanikanda recently set the record for most rushing yards in a game for a Panther against Virginia Tech on Oct. 8. He ran for 320 yards and tied the school record for rushing touchdowns in a game with six.
If Abanikanda wins this award, he becomes the fourth Panther to win it. Running back Tony Dorsett won it in 1976, linebacker Hugh Green won it in 1980 and wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald won the award most recently in 2003. Former teammate of Abanikanda, Kenny Pickett was also a semifinalist last season.
Congratulations