Game Week: Pitt Opens 2025 Campaign with Duquesne

PITT (0-0, 0-0 ACC) vs. DUQUESNE (0-0, 0-0 NEC)

Aug. 30, 2025 · Noon (ET)

Acrisure Stadium (68,400/Natural Grass) • Pittsburgh, Pa.

ACC Network • 93.7 The Fan • Pitt Panthers Radio Network

PittsburghPanthers.com • @Pitt_FB

GAME STORYLINES

The Panthers open their 136th season of intercollegiate football when they host neighboring Duquesne of the Northeast Conference at Acrisure Stadium.
Pitt and Duquesne will meet for the first time in 86 years and seventh time overall. The Panthers hold a 5-2 series edge. Duquesne won the most recent encounter, 21-13, in 1939.
Pitt is 22-1 all time against FCS foes.
The 2025 season marks Pat Narduzzi's 11th as head coach of the Panthers.
Narduzzi is Pitt's longest-tenured head football coach since John Michelosen spent 11 seasons leading the Panthers from 1955-65.
Narduzzi's 72 victories rank second all-time at Pitt, trailing only the legendary Jock Sutherland, who compiled 111 wins from 1924-38.
Pitt is 89-44-2 (.667) all time in openers.
Since the 2000 season, Pitt is 19-6 (.760) in its initial game, including 9-1 (.900) under Narduzzi.
Pitt returns redshirt sophomore QB Eli Holstein for his second year as the starter for the Panthers. He completed 62% of his passes (180 of 291) for 2,228 yards and 17 touchdowns in 2024. His 17 TD passes tied the Pitt freshman record set by Alex Van Pelt (1989).
Senior RB Desmond Reid was named a second team All-American in the all-purpose category by no fewer than six outlets last year. He was also selected first team All-ACC as an all-purpose player and return specialist, as well as Honorable Mention All-ACC at running back.
Redshirt Junior LB Kyle Louis is back to lead the defense after becoming Pitt's first sophomore defensive player to earn All-America status from an NCAA-recognized selector since the legendary Hugh Green in 1978.