Running to daylight never has been enough for Pitt’s running backs in their quest to please Andre Powell, their position coach.

They can penetrate the first wall of defenders, and that’s good. But after getting past defensive linemen, they must make a linebacker or safety miss (better yet, run him over), and turn a 5-yard gain into 15.

Same goes for pass blocking and getting in position to catch a pass. Quarterbacks are always looking for safety nets if the protection breaks down or his deep receivers fail to get open. Running backs can fill that role.

“I’m always on my guys about being exactly where you’re supposed to be, available for the quarterback if he’s looking for you,” Powell said Tuesday after Pitt’s first full day of practice for the next game Saturday against Cincinnati at Acrisure Stadium.

“Take what the defense gives you. Don’t force balls. Last year against Louisville (a 24-10 loss), we forced several balls and turned them over when we had guys underneath wide open. When you’re where you’re supposed to be and you take what the defense gives you, there are a lot of crumbs you can pick up there.”

Those are three of the teaching points — being your own blocker, pass protection and pass catching — that Powell considers (along with running over, past or around defenders) when assembling a running back rotation before every game.

Pitt’s top three running backs — Daniel Carter, Rodney Hammond and C’Bo Flemister — engage in weekly competition to see who gets the first touches. The starter isn’t assured of getting the most carries, even though it worked out that way in the victory against Wofford. Carter carried 11 times for 65 yards and a touchdown, sharing playing time with Flemister (9/27/0) and Hammond (5/25/2). Running backs also caught four passes, with Flemister getting two for 35 yards and Hammond one for 15.

“We have three starters,” coach Pat Narduzzi said. “A lot of it will be based on practice. Daniel’s was really based on camp. He grinded it out and was there every day, didn’t miss a day at all.

“You earn your reps. If you get 10 carries, what did you do with those 10 carries? Did you make the right read? Did you hit it? Did you get hit? Did you fall down? Did you make somebody miss? Making somebody miss and being your own blocker is critical as a running back.”

Powell’s rotation is only a guide and can change based on game situations, the running back’s effectiveness or anticipated play calls.

“Two-minute drive to win the game, you might have a special guy,” Powell said. “Certain plays, if I know we’re going to call, we want certain guys in the game that they specialize in that play.

“Sometimes, I look up and (say), ‘Aren’t you supposed to be in?’ ”

The back who was scheduled to enter the game will answer, “He’s hot. Just let him go,” Powell said.

“I got a good room. No jealousy. It was the same with (Qadree) Ollison and (Darrin) Hall (when both surpassed 1,000 yards in 2018). When you have James Conner and you got those younger guys, it wasn’t that way.”

At this point in the week, if Powell knows who is starting against Cincinnati, he’s not saying. But he also will base his decision on what he sees in practice Wednesday and Thursday.

“It’s a collective body of work. We’ll evaluate every week,” he said. “If I had to evaluate on (Tuesday), who knows? They all played fantastic.

“There are going to be some games when some guy gets hot and will get a little bit more (playing time). The good news is we have three guys who can all play winning football. We should never be worn out. We should always have a fresh guy in the game.”

Carter lost weight in the offseason from 240 to 230 pounds, proving he’s more than a blocking back.

“I think Daniel wanted a six-pack,” Powell said, joking.

His 11 carries Saturday were only five fewer than he totaled all of last season.

“He can do what we ask him to do. He’s moving better. Very consistent. He’s here every day. He’s a good leader. He’s the smartest guy in the room.”

Aside from Carter, Flemister and Hammond, freshman Montravius Lloyd and Derrick Davis, a transfer from LSU, also played Saturday.

“Lloyd, he made a good catch,” Carter noted of the 7-yard gain. “I’m glad he was available because he tweaked his hamstring earlier in the week. It was good for him to get in. Keep giving him a little bit of work. Who knows? You get a couple guys nicked up and game seven he may get a big chunk of plays.”

Powell said Davis is “progressing well.”

“He made a few mistakes in the game, processing a few things, had a drop. He’s got good hands. He tried to body-catch the ball. Hasn’t played much tailback since high school (Gateway). So no one’s disappointed with him. We just have to keep him going.”

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