Conner’s comeback complete in Pitt win

Associated Press

PITTSBURGH

James Conner caught one touchdown and ran for another in his return from a battle with cancer to lead Pittsburgh to a 28-7 win over Villanova on Saturday.

The 2014 ACC Player of the Year sprinted onto the Heinz Field turf in front of a crowd that included his family, the doctors that treated him during his seven-month tussle with Hodgkin’s lymphoma and more than 300 friends and family from his hometown of Erie, Pa.

Conner’s first official carry in 364 days went for minus-1 yard but was met by a standing ovation. He eventually found his footing to help the shaky Panthers avoid an upset at the hands of the Wildcats, a member of the Football Championship Subdivision.

Conner raced around the left end for a 3-yard touchdown midway through the second quarter then added a 9-yard touchdown catch.