There are very few things that have remained the same since the year 1939. However, one thing that has withstood the test of time is the Panthers’ ability to best the Dukes in a football game.
For the sixth time since 1932, Pitt (1-0, ACC 0-0) once again emerged victorious over Duquesne (0-1, NEC 0-0) in this year’s City Game, winning 61-9 and once again proving Pitt is the superior team in the Steel City.
Who stood out:
Unsurprisingly, senior running back Desmond Reid was a key player for the Panthers. Reid — who was selected for the 2025 Pre-Season All-ACC Team as a specialist and all-purpose — scored a touchdown from an 88-yard punt return to put Pitt on the board in the first quarter. Not only was Reid’s return the longest punt return in Acrisure Stadium history, but it was also the second year in a row that he recorded a punt return touchdown in a season opener.
Redshirt junior linebacker Kyle Louis — who received votes for Pre-Season Player of the Year alongside Reid and redshirt sophomore quarterback Eli Holstein — also had an impressive game with two sacks.
Redshirt sophomore wide receiver Cataurus “Blue” Hicks had a breakout game, nabbing a pair of touchdowns. He closed out the second quarter with an impressive one-handed touchdown catch that put even more distance between the Panthers and the Dukes going into halftime.
On the other side of the ball:
No one really thought Duquesne had a chance in this one, but it put fans a little on edge in the first half when graduate quarterback Tyler Riddell hit graduate wide receiver Joey Isabella for a 59-yard catch. And two plays later, Duquesne cashed in for a touchdown, making it a one-score game in the second quarter. But the Dukes seemed to run out of gas by the second quarter.
Isabella was the only player for Duquesne who gave Pitt some legitimate trouble, torching the Panthers for eight receptions and 120 yards.
Key Stat:
Holstein went 15-for-23 in this game for 215 yards and set a new career high in touchdown passes when he threw for four touchdowns against Duquesne.
“I’m just happy to be outside with my guys again,” Holstein said. “I’m just ready for this year and hopeful for our outcomes.”
What’s next for the Panthers
The Panthers host Central Michigan this coming Saturday at home at 12 p.m. — the game will air on ESPNU.
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