Inside The Panthers

Watch: Pitt Alum James Conner Forces Crazy Fumble Play

Former Pitt Panthers running back James Conner forced a crazy fumble play.

Dominic Campbell

Oct 13, 2024; Green Bay, Wisconsin, USA; Arizona Cardinals running back James Conner (6) during the game against the Green Bay Packers at Lambeau Field. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-Imagn Images
Oct 13, 2024; Green Bay, Wisconsin, USA; Arizona Cardinals running back James Conner (6) during the game against the Green Bay Packers at Lambeau Field. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-Imagn Images / Jeff Hanisch-Imagn Images
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PITTSBURGH -- Former Pitt Panthers running back James Conner is normally the one preventing opposing defenses from stripping him of the ball with the Arizona Caridinals, but he recently showed his talents on the defensive side of the ball.

Conner looked to get a pass from his quarterback, Kyler Murray, but he threw it right at Los Angeles Chargers defensive tackle Teair Tart. Tart started to run downfield, but Conner charged back and punched the ball right out of his hands. The ball ricocheted backwards and wide receiver Michael Wilson jumped on the ball to keep it from ending up a turnover.

Conner played high school football for McDowell in Millcreek Township, Pa. in Erie County. He starred at both defensive line and running back, making this forced fumble not the most unusual play for him.

He came to Pitt as both defensive lineman and running back, but his play on offense kept him there to this day.

Conner finished his freshman season in 2013 with 799 yards and five touchdowns on 146 carries, 5.5 yards average, in 12 games. He also had 26 carries for 229 yards and a touchdown in the 30-27 win over Bowling Green in the Little Caesar's Pizza Bowl in Detroit, earning MVP honors.

He was the first true freshman for Pitt to lead the team in both rushing yards and rushing touchdowns since Dion Lewis in 2009. Those 229 rushing yards also serve as a bowl record for the most in program history.

Conner's best season came in 2014 for the Panthers, as he had 298 carries for 1,765 yards and 26 touchdowns. His rushing touchdowns and rushing yards rank as the most and fourth most in a single season in Panthers' history, respectively.

He also had a career-high 263 rushing yards in a 51-48 double overtime loss to then ranked No. 24 Duke on Nov. 1, the eighth most in a game in Pitt history.

His four rushing touchdowns in both the 62-0 blowout of Delaware in the season opener and a 40-35 loss on the road to North Carolina, rank tied for third most in a game in Pitt history.

Conner earned ACC Player of the Year, First Team All-ACC and First Team All-American honors for his performance that season.

He would suffer a season-ending MCL tear in the 2015 season opener vs. Youngstown State. Doctors also diagnosed him with Hodgkin's Lymphoma during his rehabilitation and he eventually got cancer-free in the offseason.

Conner would have a great return in 2016, rushing 216 times for 1,092 yards and 16 touchdowns, along with 21 catches for 302 yards and four touchdowns. He earned First Team All-ACC honors and also the ACC Brian Piccolo Award, recognizing the most courageous player in the conference.

He finished his Pitt career with 3,373 rushing yards and 52 touchdowns, second most in program history in both categories behind the legendary Tony Dorsett.

The Pittsburgh Steelers took Conner in the third round of the 2017 NFL Draft, making him the hometown pick. He spent four seasons with the team, playing 50 games, starting 33 of them and rushing for 2,302 yards and 22 touchdowns, while also making 124 receptions for 963 yards and four touchdowns.

Conner made the Pro Bowl in 2018, as he ran for 973 yards and 12 touchdowns, along with 55 catches for 55 catches and 497 yards and a receiving touchdown.

The Cardinals signed him as a free agent in 2021 and he is in his fourth season with the team. He has rushed for 2,977 yards and 32 touchdowns, while making 122 catches for 928 yards and six touchdowns.

Conner made his second Pro Bowl in 2021, with 202 carries for 752 yards and 15 touchdowns, plus 37 catches for 375 yards and three touchdowns.

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Dominic Campbell
DOMINIC CAMPBELL

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