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Gateway Product Cements Backyard Brawl Win

Tagged under: District 7, News, Non-PIAA, Pennsylvania Colleges

| September 16, 2024


PITTSBURGH, PA – It’s not how you start, but how you finish.

That was the story of the Backyard Brawl, but for one Pitt player, it has another meaning.

Derrick Davis Jr is no stranger to Pittsburgh. Davis graduated from Gateway High School in 2021, 16-miles east of Acrisure Stadium. During his time as a Gator, Davis recorded just under 4,000 rushing yards and 77 total touchdowns, earning a top-30 rating and the #1 safety in the class of 2021 by ESPN. Following high school, Davis decided to continue his football career with Louisiana State University.

Davis would see action in 12 games of his freshman campaign, the bulk of which coming on special teams. He would appear in more game action during his sophomore season, albeit still minimal with majority special teams action. Following the season, Davis decided to enter the transfer portal and look for a new home. That’s when Pat Narduzzi and the Pitt Panthers would come knocking. Davis, classified as a safety, wanted to primarily be a running back at his new school, a position the Panthers had been looking to fill since Israel Abanikanda left in 2022. 

Coming into 2024, the junior was expected to make a big leap. However, Davis was still only listed as the third running back on Pitt’s depth chart, behind Rodney Hammond Jr and Desmond Reid. Like Davis, Reid also joined the program over the offseason, following newly hired offensive coordinator Kade Bell over from Western Carolina. Hammond has been with the program since 2021, and has served as the Panthers primary back since the departure of Abanikanda. However, just prior to Pitt’s season opener vs Kent State, it was announced that Rodney Hammond would be ineligible for the season. As of now, there has still been no reason given for Hammond’s ineligibility. Nonetheless, this opened an opportunity for Davis to step into a bigger role with the team, acting as the complimentary power back to Reid’s quickness and speed.

With 36 seconds left in the game, Pat Narduzzi sent out Derrick Davis Jr with the ball on the 1-yard line. Quarterback Nate Yarnell received the snap and handed it off to Davis, who powered through the West Virginia defense and into the end zone. An ending straight out of a movie. 

Pitt is 3-0 for the first time since 2020, where they finished the season 6-5. The Panthers will be back at Acrisure Stadium on Saturday to take on Youngstown State.  

Follow PA Football News on Twitter @PaFootballNews

 
 
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