I suppose it makes sense for the coaches to be a little more cautious in overtaxing James Conner this early.
“Even if you have the wrong guy in the game, it’s still a pretty good guy to have in the game,” Powell said.
Powell relies on Conner to keep him apprised of his energy level. “But I’m beginning to rely on me more,” Powell said.
After a season of inactivity, Conner doesn’t want to let down his teammates, but there is a fine line he and Powell must walk.
No Pitt running back is as talented or as tough as Conner, but none are recovering from cancer, either.
Conner’s 24 carries against Oklahoma State were far from excessive. He averaged 23 per game two years ago when he was the ACC Offensive Player of the Year, and he had four games with at least 30.
I wonder, though, if wanting to keep him fresh and not overuse Conner is just a useful cover to allow the offense to give carries to the other running backs that are waiting. Qadree Ollison got no touches against Oklahoma State, for example.
