PITTSBURGH — Redshirt senior running back Daniel Carter has received plaudits and praise from coaches and teammates alike for the past few seasons, but he didn’t receive the carries to back that up.
That all changed Saturday afternoon at Acrisure Stadium, as he battled the Wofford defense and displayed his talents and experience as a tough back in the 45-7 win. He had 11 carries for 65 yards, both team-highs, and one rushing touchdown, putting on an exciting performance for a heavily student-body attended home opener.
Carter serves the fullback role, despite not playing as one. He lost weight this summer and has improved his speed to demonstrate his abilities as a running back. Even with the weight loss, Carter’s best attributes include his strength and running after taking contact from defensive players.
Panthers head coach Pat Narduzzi complimented Carter on his dedication this past training camp, postgame. He also praised the other running backs in junior Rodney Hammond Jr., who had five rushes for 25 yards and a touchdown, redshirt senior C’Bo Flemister, who had nine rushes for 27 yards, all of whom will fight for carries throughout the season.
“Daniel had a great camp,” Narduzzi said. “We talked usually in August after practice every day. He was consistent and he stayed healthy the whole time.”
Carter’s rushing totals against Wofford is more than he has done in the previous three seasons. His 65 rushing yards are more than any season total in the three years prior, as he had 14 carries for 57 yards in 2020, eight carries for 29 yards in 2021 and 16 carries for 51 yards last season.
Daniel Carter is also working with his third quarterback in the past three seasons, as Boston College transfer and Pine-Richland alum Phil Jurkovec is now the starter in 2023. He completed 17 of his 23 passes for 214 yards and one touchdown, while also rushing seven times for 53 yards, including a 23-yard touchdown in the victory.
Jurkovec loved Carter’s performance against the Terriers and said that the Panthers running back room is in good shape with him coming out of the backfield.
“I think he’s the ultimate team player,” Jurkovec said on Carter. “He’s a great teammate to have and he just runs so hard. Today, he scored on the fumble there. He just makes it happen. A lot of it has to do with willpower for him that he has to get those yards. So, you love to have it and all day the running game was really good.”
With rival Cincinnati coming on the road next Saturday, Sept. 9, Carter has the chance to show what he has as a dominant running back and help Pitt win a massive n0n-conference game.
