A new season of Pitt football is set to begin on Saturday when the Panthers take on crosstown foe Duquesne for the first time in 86 years. While Pitt holds the 5-2 series edge, the Dukes took home the most recent win with a 21-13 victory in 1939 PITT OUTLOOK Pitt is looking to put […]
A new season of Pitt football is set to begin on Saturday when the Panthers take on crosstown foe Duquesne for the first time in 86 years.
While Pitt holds the 5-2 series edge, the Dukes took home the most recent win with a 21-13 victory in 1939
PITT OUTLOOK
Pitt is looking to put the 2024 season officially in the past with its opener against Duquesne. The Panthers flew out of the gates a year ago with seven consecutive wins. Then, there was an epic crash with six losses to end the year that included a loss to Toledo in the GameAbove Bowl.
The Panthers enter Year 11 under head coach Pat Narduzzi with a bevy of returners on both sides of the ball. Redshirt sophomore quarterback Eli Holstein and All-American running back Desmond Reid are back to lead Pitt’s offense.
Defensively, the Panthers return All-American linebacker Kyle Louis and All-ACC performer Rasheem Biles in that unit as well. Pitt boasts starters at defensive end, d-tackle, cornerback and safety.
Pitt addressed its needs at offensive line this offseason with a trio of transfers. Jeff Persi will start at left tackle and Keith Gouveia at left guard, while Kendall Stanley will provided an important depth piece.
One of the key storylines to follow throughout the year is Kade Bell beginning his second season as offensive coordinator. The Panthers made improvements last season across the board on offense, but are looking for a much more consistent product.
Duquesne (Northeast Conference)
Duquesne finished 8-3, 5-1 (NEC) a year ago. The Dukes were undefeated in conference play and held a share of the NEC title heading into the final game of the season against Central Connecticut State with a trip to the FCS Playoffs on the line. However, Duquesne lost 21-14.
HEAD COACH
Jerry Schmitt (21st season)
Schmitt, a Pittsburgh native and Keystone Oaks grad, is one of the longest-tenured coaches across college football. He has captured 10 conference titles as Duquesne with three trips to the NCAA FCS Playoffs
DUQUESNE PREVIEW
Duquesne has won or shared the NEC title over the past two seasons and were picked second in the preseason poll earning two first-place votes.
“It’s an opportunity to play an opponent like the university of Pittsburgh,” observed Schmitt. “I say we’ve got three championship programs here in the city of Pittsburgh, the Steelers, the Panthers and the Duquesne Dukes. It’s an honor to go play against them.”
Schmitt declared earlier this week that Tyler Riddell would be QB1 and that is reflected in this week’s depth chart.
Riddell transferred in from Gardner-Webb where he threw 16 touchdown passes and tossed for 2,573 yards.
Joey Isabella leads the receiving group with his 741 yards and 11 touchdowns after shaking off a preseason injury. His eight consecutive games with a touchdown is the longest active streak in the FCS.
Two of last season’s three-headed running back attack as a healthy Taj Butts returns as a starter. Butts was limited to six games a season ago going for 282 yards. Shawn Solomon Jr returns for his junior season rushing for 280 yards and two touchdowns in 2024.
The defense served as a strong suit following its first two games of the season, holding opponents to 17.7 points over its final nine games. Former Pitt staffer Mickey Jacobs is in his second season at defensive coordinator.
To talk about the defense begins with mainstays A.J. Ackerman and Kevin Kurzinger, who are in year seven and six with Duquesne, respectively.
Duquesne’s biggest defensive newcomers come from the linebacking position in Tyson Meiguez and Jabari Odoemenem both of whom will start Saturday.
GAME TIME
Pitt vs. Duquesne will start at noon EST on ACC Network Extra.
TV
You can find Saturday’s game on ACC Network with Clay Matvick (play-by-play), Chase Daniel (analyst) and Marilyn Payne (sideline) calling the action.
RADIO
Pitt vs. Duquesne will be live on 93.7 The Fan as well with Bill Hillgrove (play-by-play), Pat Bostick (analyst) and Dorin Dickerson (sideline) calling the action.
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Category: General Sports
