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RB Antonio Pittman (Official Thread)

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I enjoy collecting the best pictures from the games (Davidson & Hayn not withstanding, since they have their own archives).
coltsfan16;641544; said:
jwinslow...your pics are the best buckeyes game day pics i have ever seen!!

seriously, those are amazing.
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Redirecting kudos to...
jwinslow;641483; said:
Ohio State tailback Antonio Pittman (25), right, carries the balls as Indiana cornerback Tracy Porter moves i n during the third quarter of a football game at Ohio Stadium in Columbus, Ohio, Saturday, Oct. 21, 2006. (AP Photo/Jay LaPrete)
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Dispatch

OHIO STATE FOOTBALL
Pittman harbors Heisman hopes
That?s why tailback says he?ll return for senior season

Wednesday, October 25, 2006

Ken Gordon
THE COLUMBUS DISPATCH

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Antonio Pittman?s dream is to become the seventh Heisman Trophy winner in Ohio State history.
To do that, two things must happen: Quarterback Troy Smith needs to win this season, and Pittman has to return in 2007 for his senior year.
Yesterday, the tailback from Akron said he will be back.
"No, this is not going to be my last year," Pittman said.
Is he sure about that?
"Positive, because there?s a lot of things I haven?t accomplished here," he said, "like honestly, I want to win a Heisman Trophy. That?s the ultimate goal, bring one to Akron."
A bit later in the conversation, though, he did leave himself an out. He was reminded of coach Jim Tressel?s general rule of thumb for juniors thinking of declaring for the draft: If you?re a first-round pick, Tressel says, you should go. Otherwise, stay.
"We?d have to see when that time comes," Pittman said. "That would be hard to pass up, but who knows if I would be a potential first-round pick."
Should Pittman leave next spring, he would face strong competition in the draft pool. The top senior running backs include Kenny Irons of Auburn, Michael Bush of Louisville, Tony Hunt of Penn State, Ken Darby of Alabama and Garrett Wolfe of Northern Illinois.
In addition, top juniors who could enter the draft include Adrian Peterson of Oklahoma, Mike Hart of Michigan and Marshawn Lynch of California.
In the past 10 years, 30 running backs have been selected in the first round, or three a year. So even being considered a top-five back would not guarantee a first-round selection.
On Saturday, top-ranked Ohio State (8-0, 4-0) faces Minnesota (3-5, 0-4), the Big Ten team against which Pittman finally broke his touchdown drought last season. He had gone all season without a score ? a span of 157 carries ? until a 67-yard burst up the middle.
Starting with that game at Minnesota, he scored in 12 straight games before the streak was halted last week against Indiana.
The Gophers are tied for ninth in the Big Ten in rushing defense.
"Hopefully, I?ll break another big run," Pittman said.
He has been called the Buckeyes? most unsung player, overshadowed by Smith, Ted Ginn Jr. and even Anthony Gonzalez.
But after gaining 1,331 yards last season, the second most by a sophomore in OSU history behind Archie Griffin, he is on pace for a 1,264-yard season. That would put Pittman sixth on OSU?s career rushing list.
If he stays next year, he would need only 693 yards to surpass Eddie George (3,668) and be second behind Griffin (5,589).
"I did look at that (list)" he said. "That would be probably the quietest top-three rusher in Ohio State history. I?ve been around some good players who deserve every bit of credit that they get, but it will be the quietest top-three rusher."
He said he hasn?t talked to Smith about his dream of making it back-to-back OSU Heisman winners.
"Right now, I?m pushing for him to get it, that?s my dude," Pittman said.
But he said his Heisman dream is hardly a secret.
"Everybody back home knows," Pittman said. "I said it right in front of Buchtel High School, I said, ?That?s where I?m going to put my trophy, right in the middle of this high school.? "
[email protected]
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Ozone

The other rumor-mill item that was addressed on Tuesday is Antonio Pittman's intentions with regards to his senior season. There has been speculation that Pittman would forgo his senior season to enter the NFL draft. The speculation centers around the assertions that it is a weak year for running backs in the NFL, and that Pittman is worried that Chris Wells will take some of his carries next season, thereby lowering his draft value. Pittman dismissed both of those notions.​
"No, this is not going to be my last year. I'm positive," said Pittman when asked.​
"There are a lot of things I haven't accomplished here.​
"Honestly, I want to win a Heisman Trophy, that's the ultimate goal, to bring one to Akron. I thought that even before I came here. That was a big thing with me coming here. That's something I've always dreamed about winning it," said Pittman.​
Pittman has been overshadowed in the media by his two high-profile teammates, Troy Smith and Ted Ginn Jr. What has been lost is that he is on track to be in the top-three running backs in career rushing ever at Ohio State. The fact that nobody seems to be noticing what he is accomplishing is not lost on Pittman.​
"I did look at that," Pittman said.​
"That would probably be the quietest top-three rushers in Ohio State history. I've been around some good players who deserve every bit of credit that they get, but it will be the quietest top-three ever," Pittman laughed.​
Pittman did acknowledge that if it looked like he would be a first-round pick he would have to consider the NFL draft, but was adamant that he would not leave for the NFL simple because he thought somebody like Wells was coming along behind him that might decrease his future draft status. According to Pittman, he is looking forward to forming a potent tandem with Wells.​
"What we want to be is the best one-two punch in the nation," said Pittman.​
"That's not going to influence my decision. The competition is not what would influence my decision. Not at all, not at all. Beanie is a good back, and him being from my home town that makes it even more competition," said Pittman.​
Despite the competition for playing time, Pittman says that he and Wells have become good friends, and share time together when they are back home in Akron. That has made for some very interesting exchanges when the two are out in public together.​
"Everywhere you go you have people from his side of town telling him to take the spot, people on my side of town telling me to hold on to it," said Pittman​
"We go somewhere in Akron (like to a mall) and people know who I am and they don't know that's him. They say stuff to me about him in front of him, they don't know it's me with him and they say stuff about me. That happens a whole lot like in a mall or something. Somebody says something to me about him and I say 'He's right here, say it to him,'" Pittman grinned.​
Pittman says that is at two-way street, because when they are on Wells' side of town together, the very same thing happens in reverse.​
"'Take the spot," said Pittman describing the kind of things Wells' fans say to him in Akron.​
"'Pittman isn't even from around here on our side of town' and I'm right there. He tells them 'Tell him, he's right here.' We live with it,'" Pittman said.​
 
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ABJ

OSU's Pittman vows 2007 run for Heisman

Trophy fine addition to Buchtel lobby. Will go for three 1,000-yard seasons

By Marla Ridenour

Beacon Journal sportswriter

COLUMBUS - Antonio Pittman would have every reason to turn pro this winter.
Ohio State's junior tailback is on pace for his second straight 1,000-yard season. He has headed off a challenge from freshman Chris ``Beanie'' Wells of Garfield, a competition that in 2007 probably would reduce Pittman's carries. Presumably he would be a first-day draft pick.
But Pittman insisted Tuesday he's coming back for his senior year with one huge goal in mind.
``This is not going to be my last year. Positive,'' he said. ``There's a lot of things I haven't accomplished here. I want to win a Heisman Trophy.
``That's the ultimate goal -- bring one to Akron. I'd sit it right in front of Buchtel High School.''
Pittman said his friends know of his Heisman hopes, which he said was one of the reasons he went to Ohio State. Buckeyes have won six of the trophies, including Archie Griffin's two.
``That's something I always dreamed about winning,'' he said.
``My first couple years of high school, I never thought I'd get an opportunity to play college football. Now it's up there, and I'm chasing for it. I need one.''
It won't be an easy chase. Several players on this year's Heisman watch list could be back, including junior quarterbacks Colt Brennan of Hawaii and Erik Ainge of Tennessee and running backs Mike Hart of Michigan, a junior, and sophomores Steve Slaton of West Virginia, Ray Rice of Rutgers and James Davis of Clemson. Tailback P.J. Hill of Wisconsin (freshman) should join the contenders. Two injured running backs -- junior Adrian Peterson of Oklahoma and senior Michael Bush of Louisville (a possible medical redshirt) -- could opt for the NFL.
This season for the No. 1-ranked Buckeyes, Pittman has rushed for 778 yards, averaged 5.5 yards per carry and scored eight touchdowns. He saw his streak of 12 straight games with a rushing TD -- the longest in the nation -- snapped Saturday against Indiana. His average of 97.2 yards per game -- 20th in the nation -- projects to 1,264 yards over 13 games (including a bowl). Last year, he finished with 1,331 yards and seven touchdowns even though he didn't score until the eighth game, breaking through against Minnesota on a 67-yard burst up the middle that still ranks as the longest carry of his college career.
Wells, a Parade All-American, has contributed 301 yards and three TDs, and coach Jim Tressel said Wells has improved in recent weeks, especially in pass protection.
But Pittman said Wells' presence will not influence his decision about 2007. ``We want to be the best 1-2 punch in the nation,'' Pittman said.
Sharing a hometown already has made the competition more intense. Pittman said that when the two run around Akron together and sometimes are stopped at the mall, most people don't recognize both of them.
``Everywhere you go, you've got people on his side of town telling him to take the spot. People on my side of town telling me to hold on to it,'' Pittman said. ``We go somewhere, and people realize who I am and they don't know that's him. They say stuff to me about him in front of him. They don't realize it's me with him, and they say stuff about me.
``They'll tell him, `Take the spot; Pittman isn't even from around here. This is our side of town.' He's like, `(You) tell him; he's right here' and they're like, `What's up, man?' They'll slide something in about him like, `He's not even that good.' We live with it. Live and learn.''
Tressel saw an example of the pair's relationship last weekend when Wells scored in the fourth quarter. ``We were talking to him (Pittman) that last scoring drive that we took him out pretty early, only 16 carries, and we said, `Don't worry, when we get down there, if it gets in the goal line area, we'll give you another chance to keep your streak alive,' '' Tressel said. ``Then Beanie broke the one for 12 yards, and that didn't bother Pitt.''
As Pittman said, ``I wasn't mad about it; that's my dude, and I'm happy for him.''
Even with Wells in the mix, Pittman still can become the first OSU back to record two straight 1,000-yard seasons since Heisman winner Eddie George in 1994 and '95. That group also includes Griffin (1973-74-75), Tim Spencer (1981-82) and Keith Byars (1983-84).
With 2,490 yards in his career, Pittman stands 11th on the Buckeyes' all-time rushing list, and his current pace could move him to sixth at the end of this season. With one more year, rising to second (George's 3,768) or third (Spencer's 3,553) would not be out of the question.
``I did look at that,'' Pittman said. ``That would be the quietest top three rushers in Ohio State history. I've been around some good players who deserve every bit of credit they get, but it will be the quietest.''
Perhaps those kind of numbers could boost a Heisman campaign for Pittman. But does Buchtel have a lobby fit to house such hardware?
``They'd get one,'' Pittman said.
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CPD

Pittman says he's staying for 2007
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4:03 p.m.

COLUMBUS - Antonio Pittman, Ohio State?s leading rusher, has some goals for himself that require another year of college football. The junior from Akron said he?s planning on returning for a senior season at Ohio State.

?This is not going to be my last year, I?m positive,? Pittman said. ?There?s a lot of things that I haven?t accomplished here. Honestly, I want to win a Heisman Trophy. That?s the ultimate goal ? to bring one to Akron.?

Pittman has rushed for 778 yards on 142 carries this season. His 97.2 yards per game average rank him third in the Big Ten. With eight rushing touchdowns, he is tied for second in the conference.

One theory had Pittman possibly making a pro jump because friend Chris ?Beanie? Wells, a Buckeye freshman, might cut into Pittman?s carries next season. This year, Wells has been the clear backup and short-yardage back, gaining 301 yards on 67 carries.

?My competition is not what would influence my decision, not at all,? Pittman said. ?Beanie?s a good back. What we want to do is be the best one-two punch in the nation.?

- Doug Lesmerises, [email protected]
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OSU: Pittman finds the end zone
By JON SPENCER
For The Marion Star

COLUMBUS - Saturday marks the first anniversary of Quincy's death. Ohio State tailback Antonio Pittman plans to celebrate the occasion by dancing on his grave.
Quincy was Pittman's alter ego, a sorry chap with an allergic reaction to the end zone. Touchdowns were to Quincy what food is to the Olsen twins. Pittman tired of his act, got sick of his company.
They finally parted ways in last year's game against Minnesota. When Pittman outran the Gopher defense for a 67-yard score, he ran Quincy into the ground - as in six feet under.
Good riddance.

"It was terrible," Pittman said about the ribbing he took waiting until the eighth game to cross the goal line. "I always wanted to score, but as long as we were winning I was having positive days. But after a game ended and I still didn't have a touchdown, I took a beating (from my teammates). It's all over now."

It didn't matter Pittman was well on his way to the second-best rushing season (1,331 yards) by an OSU sophomore. When the zeroes next to his name in the TD column started to mount, former lineman Rob Sims tagged him with the nickname "Quincy," after the touchdown-deprived character in the movie "Varsity Blues."

"I remember Rob saying, 'You know, I don't think Pitt's scored yet,' " center Doug Datish said. "We checked it out and it became a huge emphasis to get him a touchdown."

The dam finally burst in last year's wild 45-31 win in the Metrodome. Pittman scored twice that day against the Gophers and has been on a tear ever since, tallying 15 TDs in his last 13 games leading into Saturday's rematch with Minnesota.

"He just seems more confident," linebacker James Laurinaitis said of the 5-foor-11, 195-pound Pittman. "He's a hard person to bring down. You know he can shake you in the open field. Not only that, he has enough of a burst to run you over, too. He's not as big as Chris (Wells), but he can bring as much pop when he wants to."

Last week's 44-3 rout of Indiana broke Pittman's streak of 12 straight games with a touchdown. But he's not worried about Quincy being resurrected.

"I think your buddies always give you the jabs and the raspberries and I'm sure more than we even know," coach Jim Tressel said. "So, yeah, perhaps his buddies were telling him, hey, I thought you were a running back ... and don't running backs score touchdowns?"

"But to me, he has always been a quiet, determined guy, who's not going to worry about whether or not he scores. In fact, we were telling him during the last scoring drive against Indiana not to worry. If we get down near the goal line, we'll give you another chance to keep your streak alive. Then 'Beanie' (Wells) broke one for a 12-yard touchdown. That didn't bother Pitt. He was happy for Beanie. He's pretty focused on doing what he can do and playing a great role for the team."

Pittman became a scoring threat last season once quarterback Troy Smith came to the realization he didn't have to do everything on his own. Smith often called his own number on option plays near the goal line and finished last season with 11 rushing touchdowns. This year he has none.

"We teased Pitt a little bit in practice," Tressel said. "I remember one time (last year), Pitt not taking the greatest option route. I said, 'Hey, Pitt, you need to do that better' and he gave me a look like, 'You mean, like, he's going to pitch it?' But things have evolved."

Smith has become an equal opportunity distributor. The Heisman Trophy frontrunner is content to let OSU's three tailbacks carry the load on the ground and has thrown scoring passes to seven different receivers.

"I have an understanding that the guys around me are the best athletes in the nation," Smith said. "On any given play they can run three or four times faster than I could. I'm just trying to spread the ball around and get it to as many guys to do what they do best, which is make big plays."

Pittman, who leads the team with eight TDs and is averaging 5.5 yards a pop, is on pace to rush for 1,261 yards. If he goes over 100 yards on Saturday - a good bet against the Big Ten's 10th-ranked rushing defense - he'll crack the top 10 on OSU's career list. He's at 2,490 and would pass Jim Otis (2,542) and Calvin Murray (2,576) into ninth place.

Pittman has a shot at cracking the top five by the end of the season. If he hangs around one more year - a mighty big if - he has a shot to finish second in career yardage behind two-time Heisman winner Archie Griffin (5,589).

"When I talk about Antonio Pittman, I'm passionate because he doesn't get the credit I think he deserves," Smith said. "In countless situations he's bailed us out, and he's labeled as just another running back. He's not just another running back. He's one of the top three, to me, in the nation."
 
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[FONT=Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]Pittman wants Heisman of his own in ?07[/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]BY JIM NAVEAU - Oct. 26, 2006[/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]COLUMBUS ? Ohio State?s football players know better than to talk about the future, but coach Jim Tressel couldn?t have been too unhappy with the gazing into 2007 tailback Antonio Pittman did earlier this week.
Pittman, who many have thought might be thinking about making himself eligible for the 2007 NFL draft, said he plans to return for his senior season.
And, by the way, he wants to win the Heisman Trophy too.
?No, this is not going to be my last year,? Pittman said on Tuesday. ?I?m positive. There are a lot of things I haven?t accomplished.?
Declarations such as Pittman?s are common. But many of them dissolve in an instant when first-round draft choice money is within reach.
But for right now, Pittman sees himself in scarlet and gray next fall.
?I want to win a Heisman Trophy. Before I came here, that?s something I always dreamed about winning,? he said.
Pittman leads Ohio State in rushing with 778 yards and ranks third in the Big Ten behind Wisconsin?s P.J. Hill and Michigan?s Mike Hart. With 52 more yards, he will move into 10th place all-time at OSU.
With another season, he could pass everyone on the Buckeyes? career rushing list except Archie Griffin.
Even though Ohio State quarterback Troy Smith is the favorite to win this year?s Heisman, Pittman doesn?t think voters would hold that against him.
?He should get it this year. He?s got my vote,? Pittman said.
Saturday?s game against Minnesota at Ohio Stadium is kind of an anniversary for Pittman. A year ago against the Gophers, he broke off a 67-yard touchdown run to end a streak of 12 games in a row without a touchdown.
After that, he scored TDs in 12 straight games, a streak that didn?t end until last Saturday in a 44-3 win over Indiana.
Pittman admits he took a lot of teasing and jabs from his teammates about not getting into the end zone last season. Guard Rob Sims called him ?Quincy? after a movie character whose coach prevented him from scoring touchdowns.
?It was all fun and games. As long as we were winning and I was having positive days and helping out, that was fine. But I took a beating from them (his teammates) about that last year,? Pittman said.
Tressel said he planned to put Pittman back into last Saturday?s game to score Ohio State?s final touchdown, but when Chris Wells broke off a 12-yard scoring run, he didn?t get the chance.
Pittman said that was not his idea. ?It was the linemen asking him. I guess they bugged him so much he decided to do it.?
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