PITTSBURGH -- The comeback James Conner never doubted, not once, officially ended with an unremarkable 1-yard loss.And while the Pittsburgh running back picked himself up and quietly headed back to the huddle early in the first quarter against Villanova on Saturday, thousands inside Heinz Field rose to their feet for a standing ovation that had nothing to do with football and everything to do with perseverance.There will be plenty of time for Conner to nitpick his performance in Pitts 28-7 season-opening win. Just not Saturday. Conners well aware of the significance of his familiar No. 24 jersey sprinting onto the field for the first time in 364 days, a layoff that began with a knee injury last September against Youngstown State then became something far more harrowing when he was diagnosed with Hodgkins lymphoma around Thanksgiving.The road back included months of chemotherapy treatment, sessions that left him drained but undaunted. He soldiered through spring practice wearing a mask during drills to protect his depleted immune system, all the while hoping his example would resonate with those facing similar battles. Its a role he never envisioned having to fill, but one hes willingly embraced.Its why the stands were filled with family members, the medical staff that helped restore him to health and hundreds of friends from back home in Erie, Pennsylvania. Conners two-touchdown performance was as much a testament to their support as it was his resolve. At the same time hes only too happy to put this chapter -- the first chapter anyway -- behind him and get back to football and not the disease that temporarily brought the 2014 ACC Player of the Years blossoming career to a halt.Its not my first game, Conner said. I know its a comeback game but its felt like a regular season football camp really. My battle was already won, beating cancer. Everything else was a reward.There was rust to be sure. There were also signs that hes going to be just fine. The proof came in the second quarter when Conner took a handoff and raced around the left end, stiff-arming a Villanova defender before crossing the goal line to give the Panthers the lead while the teammates who elected him as one of Pitts three captains raced to congratulate him.That first touchdown couldnt be any better, stiff-arm into the end zone right into the student section, quarterback Nate Peterman said. It was an emotional moment.Conner was at it again just before the half, hauling in a 9-yard score by making a difficult grab in traffic over the middle. He finished with 53 yards on 17 carries and added three receptions for 16 yards as Pitt avoided an embarrassing slip-up a week before a highly anticipated showdown with Penn State.Im sure as we watch the tape were going to have a lot of corrections for him, coach Pat Narduzzi said. Mainly that hes looking for a touchdown every play instead of hitting it up there for three or four yards and be happy with it. Its been a long time since he stepped on the field in a game situation. He made plays when he needed to.Quadree Henderson returned the second-half kickoff 96 yards for a score to break things open. Peterman completed 19 of 32 passes for 175 yards and two touchdowns, including a pretty 16-yard lob to Jester Weah with six minutes to go. Still, the Panthers managed just 211 total yards.The Wildcats controlled play for portions of the first half, but three straight drives into Pitt territory failed to produce any points, giving the Panthers time to get going. Rob Rolle returned a Peterman fumble 3 yards for a touchdown in the third quarter for Villanovas only score.THE TAKEAWAYVillanova: Coach Andy Tally said entering his 32nd and final season the Wildcats will have to rely heavily on their defense. Theres reason for optimism as Villanova stayed within striking distance, keeping Pitts running game in check for the most part and preventing big plays.Pitt: The Panthers will need the passing game to develop quickly if they want to make noise in the crowded ACC Coastal Division. Villanova stacked the line of scrimmage and dared Peterman to throw it, which he did with only middling success.UP NEXTVillanova: Host Lehigh in their home opener.Pitt: Resumes its rivalry with Penn State after a 15-year hiatus when the Nittany Lions visit Heinz Field.---AP College Football site: www.collegefootball.ap.org Andre Branch Jersey .B. - Sebastien Auger made 44 saves as the Saint John Sea Dogs edged the visiting Acadie-Bathurst Titan 2-1 on Saturday in Quebec Major Junior Hockey League action. Matt Moore Jersey . JOHNS, N. http://www.officialauthenticdolphinsshop.com/authentic-ndamukong-suh-jersey.html . The judges scored it 48-47, 48-47, 49-46 for Jones (19-1). It was the champions closest call. Despite the loss, it was a remarkable show by the confident Swedish challenger, who had the best of the early rounds and then hung on in the fourth and fifth. Matt Haack Jersey . After a replay, the winner will meet Sunderland in the quarterfinals. Sagbo did well to control Sone Alukos right cross and fire past Brighton goalkeeper Peter Brezovan. Aluko was making his first start in four months after recovering from an Achilles injury. Jarvis Landry Jersey . "Trying to breathe," he said with a grin. Bernier stopped 42 of 43 shots on Monday night, including all 22 in a hectic middle frame, his heroic performance propelling the Leafs toward an undue point in their final game before the Christmas break. WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. -- No. 24 Penn State brings a serious dose of momentum to Purdue for Saturdays game.After all, the Nittany Lions are coming off a 24-21 upset of then No. 2 Ohio State last weekend. Penn State (5-2, 3-1 Big Ten) is firmly in the discussion for a division title, too.However, the Nittany Lions have not won in an opponents stadium since 2014 and have lost seven consecutive true road games, including two this season. Penn State coach James Franklin hopes his defensive front can bring help bring an end to that skid.I think Ohio State had given up five sacks all year, and we were able to get six sacks in the game, five coming in the second half, Franklin said.Purdue (3-4, 1-3) is well aware of Penn States aggressive defense, which ranks second in Big Ten sacks with 22. Only No. 2 Michigan has more (25).And in only their second game for interim coach Gerad Parker, the Boilermakers will be trying to protect quarterback David Blough with a starting offensive line that will include sophomore Kirk Barron at center, redshirt freshman Matt McCann at right tackle and possibly freshman Michael Mendez at left tackle.Keeping Penn State defensive ends Evan Schwan, Garrett Sickels and Torrence Brown away from Blough with a young offensive line will be a difficult task.Its a great challenge, and I know the guys in the (offensive linemen) room are looking forward to it, Barron said. If this was a time to deal with adversity and we werent ready, we would crumble. Nebraskas front was just as good. Penn State does a few different things, and theyre all good. They blitz a ton, so we need to be able to communicate well and make that something we are able to shut down.Here are some other things to watch in this game:McSORLEY EFFECTDuring Penn States three-game winning streak, quarterback Trace McSorley has been able to move the offense with his feet and his arm. He has at least 63 rushing yards and one touchdown in each off the past three games, totaling 858 total yards on the ground and in the air.ddddddddddddWHOS GOING DEEP?Penn States DeAndre Thompkins leads the team in deep targets and has caught five passes for 25 yards or more. But he left the Ohio State game after landing awkwardly and hard on his head and did not return. He is listed as a probable starter against Purdue, but Saeed Blacknall, who returned to action last week from a hand injury, could be the deep target if Thompkins cant play.MISSING PIECESPurdue continues to be without starting offensive left tackle Martesse Patterson and backup defensive backs Brandon Roberts and David Rose, all of whom are suspended for conduct not in keeping with team rules. Patterson is suspended after being arrested in September for felony assault on his roommate and breaking the roommates jaw. Parker has not given specifics about what led to the Roberts and Rose suspensions other than to say they are still members of the team but are not practicing.MEANINGFUL CALLParker said he was humbled on Monday when he received a call from Clemson coach Dabo Swinney congratulating Parker and his team for how well Purdue played in last weeks 27-14 loss at No. 7 Nebraska.He watched how hard we played, and for him to reach out and do that in a busy time for him and spend 26 minutes on the phone with me shows you why Clemson is where they are and why his guys believe in where he is, Parker said.SEEKING HOMEFIELD VICTORIESWhile Penn State has lost seven consecutive road games, Purdue is 1-12 in its 13 most recent Big Ten home games, defeating only Nebraska 55-45 last season in West Lafayette.The Boilermakers are 0-1 this season in Big Ten home games, losing to Iowa (49-35) on homecoming in a contest Purdue trailed 35-7 at halftime. Coach Darrell Hazell was fired the next day. 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