Antonio Pittman
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| Antonio Pittman | |
|---|---|
[[Image:
 Ohio State University football running back Antonio Pittman scoring a touchdown against the Notre Dame Fighting Irish in the 2006 Tostitos Fiesta Bowl. |
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| Date of birth | December 9, 1985 (age 21) |
| Place of birth |  Akron, Ohio |
| Height | 5 ft 10 in (1.78 m) |
| Weight | 207 lb (94 kg) |
| Position(s) | RB |
| College | Ohio State |
| NFL Draft | 2007 / Round TBD |
Antonio Pittman (born December 9, 1985 in Akron, Ohio) was a running back for the Ohio State Buckeyes, the football team of the Ohio State University. Before arriving at Ohio State, Pittman attended Buchtel High School in Akron, Ohio, where he earned All-Ohio honors as a senior. Pittman is majoring in African American Studies at Ohio State. He is 5'11" and 195 pounds.[1]
Pittman entered the 2006 season as the starting running back for the Buckeyes. Quarterback Troy Smith said of Pittman, "Everybody knows who he is in the state of Ohio, but I think nationally, he’s one of the top three backs."[2] In 2005 he enjoyed his best year at the collegiate level, becoming just the fourth sophomore in Ohio State annals to rush for 1,000 or more yards in a season, joining Archie Griffin, Vince Workman and Keith Byars.[3] Griffin is the only running back with better rushing statistics than Pittman, with 1,577 yards. On January 15, 2007, Pittman made the decision to forgo his senior year and declared himself eligible for the NFL Draft.
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[edit] High School Years
Pittman ran for 1,300 yards as a senior and won All-Ohio honors even though he missed three games with a turf toe injury -- an injury that plagued him all season long. He averaged more than 12 yards per carry and scored 17 touchdowns despite the injury.
[edit] Career Rushing Statistics at Ohio State
| Year | Games | Rushes | Yards | Average | TD |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2004 | 10 | 72 | 381 | 5.3 | 1 |
| 2005 | 12 | 243 | 1,331 | 5.5 | 7 |
| 2006 | 13 | 242 | 1,275 | 5.3 | 14 |
| Total | 35 | 557 | 2,945 | 5.3 | 22 |
Pittman has averaged over five yards per carry in his three seasons, playing in 35 games, rushing for an average of 84 yards per game.[4] He currently ranks 8th on Ohio State's all-time rushing list.
[edit] 2005 Season Statistics and Highlights
Despite a slow start to the 2005 season, he finished the year with 1,331 yards rushing and seven touchdowns on 243 carries; an average of 5.5 yards per attempt. His rushing yardage was the 10th-best single-season mark in school history and only Archie Griffin gained more yards (1,577) as a sophomore.[5] His rushing total was the 11th highest in the NCAA last season and 5th best in the Big Ten Conference.[6] In addition to running, Pittman made 17 receptions for 161 yards in 2005.
In his first appearance, Pittman rushed for 100 yards on 14 carries against Miami University. His career-high is 186 yards in a game against the University of Minnesota, where he also scored his first touchdown of the season.[1]
He scored the winning touchdown in the 2005 game against the Michigan Wolverines. He ran around the Michigan defensive line for a three yard touchdown run came with just 24 seconds left in the game.[3]
In the next game, he clinched the 2006 Tostitos Fiesta Bowl against the Notre Dame Fighting Irish by erupting for a 60 yard touchdown run with 1:46 left in the game, despite having an injured hamstring.[3]
[edit] 2006 Season Statistics and Highlights
At the beginning of the 2006 season some called for split playing time between Pittman and freshman Chris Wells, another Akron native. However, Pittman's strong resume in 2005 and early successes guaranteed his role as starter.[7]
As the starting running back, Pittman has displayed the ability to compile impressive statistics. In games against Northern Illinois University, University of Cincinnati, Penn State University, and University of Iowa he rushed for over 100 yards and scored touchdowns. Also, during the high-profile game at then #2 Texas he scored a touchdown.
Against the Florida Gators in the BCS National Championship, Pittman rushed for 62 yards and one of Ohio State's two scores.
[edit] Trivia
- On Pittman's left arm is a tattoo honoring his brother, Anthony, who died at the age of 23.[8]
- Pittman lived with his sister April while in high school.[8]
| Preceded by Lydell Ross |
Ohio State Buckeyes Starting Tailbacks 2005-2006 |
Succeeded by Chris Wells |
| Ohio State Buckeyes Football I-Formation Tailbacks |
|---|
| Griffin • Logan • Springs • Murray • Spencer • Byars • Wooldridge • Workman • Snow • Smith • Harris • George • Pearson • Wiley • Combs • Wells • Clarett • Ross • Pittman |
[edit] Notes or references
- ^ a b Ohio State Department of Athletics (2006). Player Bio: Antonio Pittman. Press release. Retrieved on 2006-08-31.
- ^ Gordon, Ken. "Ground Rules", Columbus Dispatch, 2006-08-31. Retrieved on August 31, 2006.
- ^ a b c Ridenour, Marla. "No back bone to pick", Akron Beacon Journal, 2006-08-16. Retrieved on August 31, 2006.
- ^ Antonio Pittman Stats. DI Statistics. NCAA (2006-09-16). Retrieved on September 21, 2006.
- ^ Record Book (Part 1)
- ^ NCAA Division I-A Rushing Leaders
- ^ Pluto, Terry. "Pittman well-suited for OSU", Akron Beacon Journal, 2006-09-17. Retrieved on September 21, 2006.
- ^ a b Ohio State Department of Athletics (2006-09-23). Under the Helmet with Antonio Pittman. Press release. Retrieved on 2006-11-12.
