Inside The Panthers

Pitt RB Israel Abanikanda Named Doak Walker Player of the Week

The Pitt Panthers' star tailback earned yet more national recognition this week.

Stephen Thompson

Pitt RB Israel Abanikanda Named Doak Walker Player of the Week
Pitt RB Israel Abanikanda Named Doak Walker Player of the Week /
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PITTSBURGH -- More national recognition is inbound for Pitt Panthers running back Israel Abanikanda. After his record-setting performance against Virginia Tech, Abanikanda has been named the Doak Walker Award National Running Back of the Week. 

Abanikanda set a school record in yards with 320, breaking the previous high mark set by the eventual Heisman Trophy winner, Tony Dorsett, in 1976. Abanikanda's six touchdowns also tied a 112-year old school record held by Norman Budd. Both totals are the most recorded by a player in the FBS this season. 

The Doak Walker Award is the most prestigious given annually by PwC SMU Athletic Forum to the nation's top running back and has done so every year since 1990. 

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Stephen Thompson
STEPHEN THOMPSON

Stephen Thompson graduated with a bachelor's degree in communications and political science from Pitt in April 2022 after spending four years as a sports writer and editor at The Pitt News, the University of Pittsburgh's independent, student-run newspaper.  He primarily worked the Pitt men's basketball beat, and filled in on coverage of football, volleyball, softball, gymnastics and lacrosse, in addition to other sports as needed. His work at The Pitt News has won awards from the Pennsylvania News Media Association and Associated College Press.  During the spring and summer of 2021, Stephen interned for Pittsburgh Sports Now, covering baseball in western Pennsylvania. Hailing from Washington D.C., family ties have cultivated a love of Boston's professional teams and Pitt athletics, and a fascination with sports in general.  You can reach Stephen by email at stephenethompson00@gmail.com and follow him on Twitter. Read his latest work:

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