Pitt
1-0 , 0-0
Duquesne
0-1 , 0-0
Panthers Breeze Past Dukes in Opener, 61-9
8/30/2025 4:46:00 PM | Football
PITTSBURGH (AP) — Eli Holstein threw a career-high four touchdown passes, including two to sophomore wide receiver Cataurus "Blue" Hicks, and Pittsburgh eased past crosstown rival Duquesne 61-9 on Saturday.
Desmond Reid returned a punt 88 yards for a score and added another on a 53-yard sprint as the Panthers (1-0) made sure the Dukes (0-1) never threatened to pull a stunner in the renewal of the "City Game" following an 85-year hiatus.
Holstein, whose breakout freshman season a year ago was blunted by injuries that contributed to Pitt's second-half freefall, completed 15 of 23 passes for 215 yards and ran for another 41.
While the Panthers weren't particularly sharp early on — Pitt's first drive ended with a punt and its third with Holstein throwing a pass that was picked off by Duquesne's Dallas Harper — they eventually wore down the Dukes with their depth and their significant advantage at the line of scrimmage.
Pitt reached the end zone on four straight drives spanning the end of the second quarter and the start of the third. Hicks, part of a group of receivers trying to establish themselves alongside Kenny Johnson, hauled in a 4-yard pass from Holstein for a score then later needed just one arm to corral a 16-yard rainbow from Holstein for another.
The Takeaway
Duquesne: The Dukes who shared the NEC championship with Central Connecticut State last season but missed out on an FCS playoff berth, have the pieces to make another push. Riddell, a Gardner-Webb transfer, showed composure while facing the Panthers pass rush and the only thing Isabella didn't do was extend his touchdown streak to eight straight games.
Pitt: Reid, a second-team All-American last year after coming over from Western Carolina with offensive coordinator Kade Bell, wants to do even more this season. The undersized running back (5-foot-8, 175 pounds) is an electric performer with the ball in his hands. His punt return for a score was the longest by a college or pro player in the history of Acrisure Stadium since it opened in 2001, three years before Reid was born.
Up next
Duquesne: Hosts Lincoln (Pa.) next Saturday.
Pitt: Welcomes Central Michigan to Acrisure Stadium next Saturday.
Team Stats
DUQ 0, PIT 7
PIT - Reid,Desmond 88 yd punt return (Butkowski,Trey kick)
DUQ 0, PIT 14
PIT - Hicks,Cataurus 4 yd pass from Holstein,Eli (Butkowski,Trey kick) 11 plays, 62 yards, TOP 04:50
DUQ 6, PIT 14
DUQ - Alexander,B.J. 7 yd pass from Riddell,Tyler () 2 plays, 61 yards, TOP 00:35
DUQ 6, PIT 20
PIT - Goff,Juelz 1 yd run (), 3 plays, 18 yards, TOP 00:52
DUQ 6, PIT 27
PIT - Johnson,Kenny 20 yd pass from Holstein,Eli (Butkowski,Trey kick) 3 plays, 47 yards, TOP 01:06
DUQ 6, PIT 34
PIT - Hicks,Cataurus 16 yd pass from Holstein,Eli (Butkowski,Trey kick) 6 plays, 80 yards, TOP 01:43
DUQ 6, PIT 41
PIT - Reid,Desmond 53 yd run (Butkowski,Trey kick), 2 plays, 75 yards, TOP 00:46
DUQ 6, PIT 48
PIT - Thomas,Malachi 34 yd pass from Holstein,Eli (Butkowski,Trey kick) 8 plays, 75 yards, TOP 03:33
DUQ 9, PIT 48
DUQ - Marcinko,Matt 35 yd field goal 8 plays, 33 yards, TOP 04:18
DUQ 9, PIT 51
PIT - Butkowski,Trey 27 yd field goal 9 plays, 31 yards, TOP 03:03
DUQ 9, PIT 54
PIT - Butkowski,Trey 27 yd field goal 7 plays, 12 yards, TOP 02:21
DUQ 9, PIT 61
PIT - Yates,Bryce 60 yd pass from Gonzales,Cole (Butkowski,Trey kick) 2 plays, 60 yards, TOP 00:38
