Football: Running backs rally Pitt to victory over UConn

Traditionally, when a team is down by double-digits, it abandons the run.

Against the top rush defense in the Big East, Pitt took the opposite approach. With a 15-point deficit and an ineffective passing game, the Panthers called on freshmen running backs Dion Lewis and Ray Graham to jumpstart the team.

And the duo did just that — rallying Pitt to a last-second 24-21 victory.

“We hadn’t been running the ball in the first half,” Pitt coach Dave Wannstedt said. “[Running the football in the second half] gave us life.”

The biggest offensive question mark entering the season, Pitt’s running game, is now the go-to option for offensive coordinator Frank Cignetti.

“What we want to do this half is to get back to the running game,” Graham recalled Cignetti as saying. “And that’s what we do, because that’s what we normally do.”

In the last two weeks, Graham has seen his playing time increase and is now a potent complement to Dion Lewis.

“As the weeks go on, I just feel more comfortable with the plays,” he said. “I don’t think about it as much as I used to. I just go out there and just play.”

The increased comfort level has shown. Graham has averaged more than 6 yards per carry in the last two weeks.

Meanwhile, Lewis continues to post impressive stats. He now stands third in the nation in rushing yards with 738 and remains tied for the lead in the Big East with seven rushing touchdowns despite a touchdown-less game against the Huskies.

But the Connecticut game signaled a shift for Lewis. Before Saturday, the young running back had struggled in the second half, accumulating most of his yards early in the game. But against Connecticut, he ran for 136 yards after halftime.

Wannstedt expressed his admiration for both backs.

“[Lewis] is tough and strong, and you better tackle him,” he said. “And [Graham] is learning on the move. I didn’t think [he] would be this far along either, so I’m pleased with both those kids.”

Although he’s found success in his first year, Lewis deflected the praise to his offensive line.

“The line does a great job every game,” he said. “Today they stepped forward. I just keep trusting the blocks and just keep running hard.”

Graham had similar praise for his blockers.

“They work hard every time,” he said. “They trust the running backs. They know that once they get in that hole, we’ll see the hole. We’ll make it happen.”

The success of the running game opened up the passing game against Connecticut. The Huskies bit on a play-action fake on Stull’s 26-yard touchdown pass to Jonathan Baldwin late in the third quarter.

“Once we started running the ball, [Connecticut] started playing up,” Graham said. “And that’s what opened up the pass.”

Lewis and Graham still have room to improve as freshmen,however, and Lewis recalled his drop on a would-be touchdown reception.

“Knowing that I missed that play,” Lewis said, “I gotta make more big plays to make up for what I did.”

His runs of 21, 33 and 32 yards in the second half atoned for the error.

With those results, Pitt will continue to feature both running backs on offense. Graham believes that he and Lewis are building a rapport.

“We trust one another,” Graham said. “If I’m out on the field, he goes out there and he encourages me. If he’s on the field, I encourage him. We look for each other to get that extra boost.”

But it’s not just the coaches who noticed the strong play by the pair of running backs. Baldwin anticipates great things from Lewis and Graham.

“You got two great running backs, both freshmen,” Baldwin said. “They’re going to be here for three more years.”

Tight end Dorin Dickerson, who had a 27-yard touchdown reception against the Huskies, also commended the young backfield.

“It is amazing to watch those guys to come in and do that,” Dickerson said. “What are they going to be like three years from now? It’s going to be exciting around here.”