Pittsburgh’s third-string running back, a redshirt freshman playing in his first real game in 22 months, stood in the backfield as the team’s primary rusher in a one-score game just three quarters into the Panthers’ season.

The regular starting running back and reigning Atlantic Coast Conference player of the year, James Conner, had come out with an injury. Though Conner flashed his parents a thumbs-up and remained on the sideline to cheer, he’d be diagnosed with a season-ending knee injury days later. Usual backup Chris James was also hurt.

Qadree Ollison took the left-side pitch and hit the hole. His father, Wayne Ollison, a former football coach, watched from the bleachers and prayed his son wouldn’t fumble his first collegiate carry. Two Youngstown State defenders collided with one another, and Ollison rumbled 46 yards.

“Obviously when the player of the year goes down, you go, ‘Oh my gosh,’” first-year Pitt head coach Pat Narduzzi said. “Everybody talks about that cliché: It’s next man up. It’s tough to step up immediately, but … (Qadree) makes plays.”

Ollison finished the day with 16 carries for a touchdown and 207 yards, breaking current New England Patriot Dion Lewis’ record for rushing yards by Panthers freshman. Ollison hasn’t stopped running since. After learning valuable lessons in his redshirt year and taking advice from Conner, Ollison surpassed James on the depth chart and now ranks fourth in the ACC with 559 yards this season.

When the Niagara Falls, New York native and former Syracuse recruit runs into the Carrier Dome for SU-Pitt at noon on Saturday, he’ll be cheered on by 26 family members who made the two-hour drive. They won’t be the only ones focusing on Ollison.

“They’re going to run the ball on us,” Syracuse defensive coordinator Chuck Bullough said. “We have to be ready to run, run, run … It’s a good game plan. That’s what I would do too.”

Ollison’s success this season is a direct result of the year he spent on the sidelines learning, Wayne said, and that he might not have been ready last season. At practice as a redshirt, Ollison faced Pitt’s starting defense — No. 10 in total defense — and constantly asked questions of Conner and then-sophomore running back Rachid Ibrahim. He also bulked up 15 pounds to 230.

Whenever Wayne called, his son usually said he was at Conner’s house or working out with him, seeing what it took to be elite in the ACC. Ollison had known Conner since his official visit, when Conner gave him a tour of the school and talked to his parents. Conner’s willingness to help train Ollison shocked Wayne.

“It’s like you’re teaching someone to possibly take your job,” Wayne said. “But James never looked at it like that … A lot of people don’t know this, but when Qadree was doing well (against Youngstown State), James was in his ear telling him, ‘This is what you need to look out for and this is what you need to do.’”

What Ollison has done to adjust to his starting role is added time in the film room, increased practice reps and more closely examined the playbook. He’s a “big, powerful, explosive” back who has earned trust throughout the season with his play-making abilities, Narduzzi said.

On Oct. 28, late in a tie game with Georgia Tech, backup running back Darrin Hall got stuffed for no gain on third-and-1 at midfield. Narduzzi took a timeout and put in Ollison, whose 3-yard rush on the next play converted the fourth down on a drive that ended with a game-winning field goal.

Despite the success, Ollison doesn’t feel comfortable in the starting role. He knows Narduzzi likes competition, he said, and the moment he gets complacent is when a teammate outworks him.

“I just learned you got to grow up fast and be ready in (the moment),” Ollison said. “Stay ready so you don’t have to get ready.”

Asst. copy editor Paul Schwedelson contributed reporting to this story.

Published on October 22, 2015 at 10:06 pm

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