By Ray Porter Jr. for Urban Media Today
The 2024 Pitt Panthers had its good news and bad news.
The Good News: They were the first team since 1982 to start 7-0. Linebacker Kyle Louis and all-purpose back Desmond Reid was named Second-Team All-Americans by the Associated Press. Louis also received First-Team honors from The Sporting News and was selected to multiple preseason All-America teams, as was Reid. They also flourished undergraduate transfer QB Eli Holstein. They also had a thrilling comeback victory vs. West Virginia and were Bowl Eligible after a one-year absence.
The Bad News: Holstein and Reid suffered injuries as the Panthers they closed out the season losing the last six games in a row, finishing at 7–6, including The GameAbove Sports Bowl. The Panthers were also the second team in college football history to start a season 7–0 and lose their final six games to finish 7–6, after South Florida in 2018.
Now as they prepare for the 2025 College Football Season, the Panthers hope to learn from their 2024 challenges and use them as fuel for a successful 2025, starting with facing the cross-town rival Duquesne Dukes at Acrisure Stadium.
“Again, excited about this football game,” said Pitt head coach Pat Narduzzi. “Jerry Schmitt, heck of a football coach. Obviously going on his 21st year. I think I’ve been here a long time. 21 seasons anywhere in the country is unbelievable.
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.
“Duquesne is a good football team, well-coached. A lot of Pittsburgh guys,” said Narduzzi. Those guys will come into Acrisure Stadium cranked up and play their best game of the year without a doubt. We expect that. Offensively they’re talented. They do a nice job. They got a kid named Riddell. Quarterback, I believe. I haven’t seen a two deep yet. Not sure if you guys have yet. We expect him to be the starting quarterback. He’s a gun slinger, can throw it. This is his third school. He was in East Tennessee and Gardner-Webb. He was a starting quarterback at East Tennessee. He led victory over SEC powerhouse Vanderbilt. He’s made plays. He’s played in a lot of football games.
Pitt returns redshirt sophomore 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). “I think he’s come a long way because last year I think he was just worried about being the starting quarterback, then just doing his job. “Said Narduzzi. “I told him the same thing: You got to focus on quarterback. You’re already the leader. You don’t need to be a captain. No one needs to put an ‘L’ on your shirt saying you’re a leader. He is the leader of our offense, period. He has Cooper there as a captain, Overman, Des Reid standing next to him or behind him. I’m happy with where Eli is. Can’t wait to watch him play. Can’t wait to watch everyone play.”
Senior RB 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. “We’re going to let him go. We’re going to let him go play football. That’s what he loves to do. As soon as you start trying to protect people, they get hurt.” Said Narduzzi. “Des is tough, he’s going to go. He loves to play. He’s going to go out and play his best game.”
Redshirt Junior 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.
The 2025 Pitt football team added transfers Zion Ferguson (DB), Cole Gonzales (QB), and Justin Holmes (TE) in the spring portal window, with other additions and targets focused on offensive and defensive line depth, and wide receiver.
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.
“So, our offense has had a great look all fall camp. We’ve got 19 practices in on that. Our guys had a little bit extra juice yesterday I think knowing it’s game week, practice yesterday afternoon, if you usually don’t on a Sunday. Coming out of camp on Friday, having a rehearsal scrimmage. We’re excited about what we got.” Said Narduzzi.
The 2025 Pitt Panthers wide receiver room is expected to be led by players like Kenny Johnson, Cataurus Hicks, and Censere Lee replacing graduates Bub Means and Konata Mumfield. For placekicker, the Panthers have elected walk-on Trey Butkowski to replace All-American graduate Ben Sauls.
In addition to Duquesne and their ACC Schedule, which includes Stanford, the Panthers will travel to Morgantown to face West Virginia in the ‘Backyard Brawl’ and will welcome Notre Dame for their ‘Legacy Game.’ Their expectations are to not just start strong, but to finish strong, beginning with a win vs. the Dukes.
“They’re right down the road. We can bring someone from Youngstown or Rhode Island. Why not take care of a school in state, let them have an opportunity to play in their city, for their city? I think it’s a great game.” Said Narduzzi. “I just think it’s great to play another team from Pittsburgh. Fans aside, I think it’s an opportunity for another Pittsburgh school. I got a ton of respect for Jerry Schmitt. It’s good for them, good for us. Again, short trip for them. So, we’re excited.”
Notes: The Panthers will honor Freshman Mason Alexander who tragically passed away in March. “To start off, we’re going to celebrate Mason Alexander’s life on Saturday.” Said Narduzzi. “Our thoughts and prayers have been with him for a long time. It’s an opportunity to go out and play for his family. His mother will be at the coin toss. His family will be there. It’s an opportunity for our kids to just kind of show Mason and the family what we’ve done since he left us.”
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