Panthers gain bowl eligibility in regular season finale

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Starting in his sophomore year, Conner broke out, rushing for 1,765 yards and 26 touchdowns — setting a Pitt record — and winning the ACC Player of the Year award.

By Chris Puzia / Sports Editor

James Conner set more Pitt records en route to a win that extended the team’s season and gained it bowl eligibility.

Conner — who ran for 75 yards on 16 carries — scored two touchdowns, in turn breaking Tony Dorsett’s 1976 school records for rushing touchdowns and total touchdowns in a season with his 23rd and 24th of the season.

Pitt (6-6, 4-4 ACC) defeated Miami 35-23 in Sun Life Stadium on Saturday night to complete head coach Paul Chryst’s third consecutive .500 season and, as a result, earned Pitt its seventh straight bowl-eligible season.

Tyler Boyd, who has recorded back-to-back seasons with 1,000 receiving yards, finished the game with five catches for 72 yards and a touchdown.

Miami (6-6, 4-4 ACC) was bowl-eligible entering the game. Freshman quarterback Brad Kaaya completed 22 of 45 passes for 296 yards and two touchdowns.

Pitt came out quickly, taking a 14-3 lead into the end of the first quarter behind the strength of a Conner run and a Boyd catch.

The Panthers never trailed in the game.

Last year, Pitt defeated Bowling Green 30-27 in the Little Caesar’s Pizza Bowl. Conner ran for 229 yards and one touchdown in that game.