:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/39189796/20140920_lbm_al8_031.JPG.0.jpg)
Pitt's loss to Iowa was disappointing - particularly given the big lead. While several players faltered, one that didn't was starting running back James Conner.
Conner continued to run wild on the rest of college football and put up 155 yards on 29 carries, adding a touchdown. While he wasn't quite as dominant as we've seen this year (the 5.3 yards per carry were actually a season low), Conner wasn't stopped much and for much of the game, looked as good as he has all season long.
Conner's score was also his ninth touchdown on the year and that's something that shouldn't be underrated.
While he was slowed in the second half by a more aggressive Iowa defense, overall, he had another huge day. Most importantly, this should have served notice that Conner is as good as advertised. Facing what was a top ten rush defense coming into the game, I wasn't sure Conner would have quite the day he did. But despite playing a team that excels in stopping the run, he was a beast all day.
The Heisman stuff for me is still on ice just we're only a third of the way through the season. But averaging 175 yards a game and on pace for more than 2,000 yards at this point, the national recognition that Conner is starting to get is well deserved. E.J. Borghetti and crew might not want to print up the Heisman postcard advertisements just yet ... but it's getting to the point where it no longer sounds preposterous.
Be sure to join Cardiac Hill's Facebook page and follow us on Twitter @PittPantherBlog for our regular updates on Pitt athletics. Follow the author and founder/editor @AnsonWhaley.
