Friday’s “First Call” showcases a Pitt alum opening eyes in the Hall of Fame game. The Steelers need a little help at defensive back. Austin Hedges still has some ties back to Pittsburgh.

And a former WPIAL standout is getting back to practice in the NFL.

Izzy to the Hizzy

Former Pitt star Israel Abanikanda scored the lone touchdown of the night for the New York Jets during Thursday night’s Hall of Fame Game. It was a 10-yard run.

First TD of the preseason goes to Israel Abanikanda! ????

????: @ProFootballHOF Game on NBC
????: Stream on NFL+ https://t.co/bDdH0uvRfp pic.twitter.com/wALo3hSwJY

— NFL (@NFL) August 4, 2023

No one else for New York found the end zone with quarterback Aaron Rodgers sitting out his potential preseason opener with his new club. Zach Wilson, Tim Boyle and Chris Streveler took all the snaps instead and ended up with just 135 passing yards as the Cleveland Browns went on to win 21-16.

Meanwhile, Abanikanda, a fifth-round pick of the Jets, led all New York ball carriers with 27 yards on nine carries.

No word on what the Browns did to their team plane on the way home from this one.

You can take the boy out of Pittsburgh, but…

… you can’t take the boy out of Black and Gold.

At least not yet.

Former Pirates catcher Austin Hedges made his debut behind the dish for the Texas Rangers on Wednesday. He was dealt to the Rangers for international bonus pool money before Tuesday’s trade deadline.

And while Hedges made it to Arlington in plenty of time to join his new team, any new catching gear he was supposed to get did not. So he used his Pirates equipment instead.

Austin Hedges wore his Pirates catchers gear in his first game for the Rangers pic.twitter.com/9RqbZW4Sod

— MLB Life (@MLBLife) August 3, 2023

So far, Hedges is 0 for 1 as a Ranger. But Texas has won all three games over the Chicago White Sox since he got there on deadline day. The Rangers have 63 wins, third most in the American League — and good enough to lead the American League West.

Keeping numbers up

With a few prominent safeties out of action at training camp for the time being, the Steelers spent some time Thursday hosting a bunch of defensive backs for tryouts. Penn State alum John Reid and fellow cornerback Jace Whittaker joined safeties Joshua Kalu, Ben DeLuca and Jalen Elliott.

That’s according to Aaron Wilson of KPRC2 in Houston.

#Steelers worked out Ben DeLuca, Jalen Elliott, Joshua Kalu @AliefTaylor_FB John Reid and Jace Whittaker

— Aaron Wilson (@AaronWilson_NFL) August 3, 2023

Reid has been with five NFL franchises and played 27 NFL games. He started with the Houston Texans and has hopped between the Vikings, Seahawks, Titans and two stints with the Falcons. Whittaker was with the Arizona Cardinals for three years and played in 12 games.

Kalu, a former Tennessee Titan, was originally contacted Tuesday. He played in 16 games (starting five) in 2022 with the Titans after spending most of 2021 injured with the New York Giants. DeLuca, a former Los Angeles Charger, most recently played in the XFL with St. Louis. Elliot is a former captain at Notre Dame that has been on the Lions, Patriots and, most recently, the Raiders.

The Steelers are currently thin at safety with Damontae Kazee and Keanu Neal injured. Minkah Fitzpatrick has missed most of training camp dealing with a personal matter.

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Chasing a return

Former WPIAL standout Chase Winovich is getting back on the field with the Houston Texans. He passed a physical Thursday, according to ProFootballTalk.

That means the franchise can remove him from the active/physically unable to perform list. The Thomas Jefferson High School alum has been there since the start of camp.

Winovich was a Cleveland Brown last season after being part of a trade with the New England Patriots for linebacker Mack Wilson. He only played in eight games, with 20 tackles and one sack.

The Steelers play in Houston in Week 4.

Fond farewell

Finally for the week, a bit of a personal note here.

I want to wish a happy retirement to Dave Saba from Duquesne University. He has been the school’s sports information director since 1988.

I’ve worked closely with Saba for the past few years calling Duquesne football and basketball on ESPN+, and doing the coaches shows on AT&T SportsNet. You won’t find a more helpful, dedicated and sincere person in the field.

The school honored Saba on Thursday afternoon, and basketball coach Keith Dambrot asked Saba to be in a team photo. Something Saba said he’s never done in 37 years in the business.

On this day 25 years ago, Dave Saba became a Duke.

Today was his last practice.

Thank you for everything. pic.twitter.com/Cuz5FlbQAm

— Duquesne Basketball (@DuqMBB) August 3, 2023

Saba is turning 63 this fall. He will be sorely missed around the UPMC Cooper Fieldhouse. Best of luck to Dave and his family.