Getty ImagesWhen Pittsburgh takes the field in less than an hour for their 378th consecutive appearance in the BBVA Compass Bowl, it’ll do so without the services of the most productive member of its rushing attack.
Pitt declared late Saturday morning that running back Ray Graham has been ruled out of the bowl game against Ole Miss due to injury. The senior suffered a pulled hamstring during one of the Panthers’ postseason practices in December.
With Graham out, freshman Rushel Shell, who is second on the team with 562 yards, will make his first collegiate start.
Graham leads Pitt in both rushing yards (1,042) and rushing touchdowns (11). It’s the second straight season Graham has led the team in both categories.
Graham isn’t the only loss that will be felt by the Panthers’ ground game as it was announced earlier this week that starting guard Anthony Doakes had been suspended for the bowl.
378th consecutive appearance huh? So 2012 – 378 = 1636? So the first BBVA Compas Bowl was 58 years BEFORE Columbus landed in the Caribbean? Really? Obviously it’s a joke, as Pittsburgh seems to always go there.
On another note, that sucks for Graham.
He got his wish and didn’t go play in Birmingham. Typical. Love “those” kinds of people.
Hope he doesn’t mind waiting until the 6th round.