On paper, a Week 1 matchup between Pittsburgh and FCS foe Villanova isn’t much to get excited about, but James Conner changed that with his triumphant return to football.
The Panthers running back walked out of the tunnel with his teammates and played in his first game since beating Hodgkin lymphoma Saturday, and he announced his return with a pair of touchdowns.
Conner revealed last December he had been diagnosed with cancer but vowed to beat the disease and return to the field for Pitt’s 2016 season opener.
He certainly accomplished that goal, running for 53 yards with one touchdown on 17 carries and catching three passes for 16 yards with one TD in his first game since Sept. 5, 2015. Pitt went on to win 28-7.
Thumbnail photo via Charles LeClaire/USA TODAY Sports Images
