The only time they were on the same field together for a meaningful game, James Conner and Saquon Barkley combined for 276 yards from scrimmage and seven touchdowns.

Two of the best running backs in the respective histories of Pennsylvania’s two biggest college football programs, Conner and Barkley meet again Monday in this season’s Monday night opener.

And unlike four years and four days prior, this time the Pittsburgh Steelers’ Conner and New York Giants’ Barkley are two of the best running backs in the pro game.

Barkley had 85 rushing yards, two receptions and five touchdowns and Conner had 117 rushing yards, four catches and two touchdowns when Conner’s Pitt team beat Barkley-led Penn State, 42-39, in a thriller at Heinz Field on Sept. 10, 2016.

Since that day, each has become an NFL Pro Bowler. Though, of course, as offensive players they don’t actually face each other on the field, Monday’s meeting is notable for local college football fans because it represents two of the best to ever play for Pitt or Penn State.

Each was an All-America selection and conference player of the year. Each is his school’s second all-time leading rusher (done in three seasons each).

And to throw in a bonus to the local connection, Barkley’s backup is former Pitt star Dion Lewis — who has played more pro seasons (10) than Barkley and Conner combined (seven) and also had a college season with more rushing yards (1,799 in 2009) than either ever had.

Conner said Friday that he hasn’t spoken with any teammates about the matchup with Barkley. But many on the Steelers’ defense have said limiting Barkley is crucial to success Monday.

“Saquon is a very well-rounded back,” said Steelers linebacker T.J. Watt, who lost to Barkley’s Nittany Lions in the 2016 Big Ten championship game while at Wisconsin.”That’s why he gets picked (No. 2 overall in the 2018 draft).

“He is just a specimen, a guy who is very big that can run the ball. He can run the ball inside the tackles, outside the tackles, has a good stiff arm, a good spin as well, a guy who can do everything basically out of the backfield for them.”

Though Barkley and Conner were plagued by injuries last season, each was named to the Pro Bowl in 2018 when Barkley was a rookie and Conner in his first season as a starter. Conner had 1,470 yards from scrimmage and 13 touchdowns (in only 13 games) that season; Barkley amassed 2,028 yards and 15 touchdowns.

“(Barkley) is a premier back in the league,” Steelers defensive coordinator Keith Butler said. “No doubt about that.”

Steelers coach Mike Tomlin said he studied Barkley both while he was at Penn State and over this summer after learning the Steelers would face the Giants in Week 1.

“This is a guy that’s capable of really impacting the game in all circumstances, really in many ways,” Tomlin said. “He’s got the quicks and the vision to be a quality interior runner and the power, also, to be a quality interior runner. He’s got burst and acceleration and top-end speed that allows him to excel on the perimeter game and in open grass.

“Five to 10-yard runs can quickly become 50- and 60-yard runs when you’re facing a guy with the talent of Saquon. We are going to spend a lot of time preparing to minimize his impact.”

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