During his four seasons at Pitt, James Conner has played with a bruised shoulder and hip pointer. Even today, he admits to being “a little dinged up” after 10 games. Last year, he gave up his knee to the Pitt cause. Then, there's the poison doctors flowed into his body earlier this year to kill the cancer cells. Finally, he can look up from what he's doing — lifting, running, eating healthy — and declare, “I feel like me.” That can't be good news for Pitt's final three opponents, starting with Duke on Saturday at Heinz Field................ Conner is on the cusp of three milestones as his third full season nears its conclusion. He needs 156 yards for his second 1,000-yard season and two rushing touchdowns to break ACC career records for TDs (52) and rushing scores (49)..........“I'm more of a professional when it comes to the approach, when it comes to getting ready,” he said. “When I was a freshman, I wasn't starting. You were just happy to be here. Now I'm supposed to be here. I'm a leader.”................Duke coach David Cutcliffe said Conner looks better than ever to him. “He looks like he's maybe a little leaner, and if not weight, just age and body fat and conditioning,” he said. “And he's worked so hard, bless him, to overcome not only a severe illness but rehabbing a knee. “It's starting to show in his total game.”...............
LINK:
http://triblive.com/sports/college/pitt/11489071-74/conner-pitt-season
LINK:
http://triblive.com/sports/college/pitt/11489071-74/conner-pitt-season
