Pitt Panthers trounce Duquesne After Slow Start in Week 1, 61-9

The Pitt Panthers hosted the Duquesne Dukes in Week 1 to open their 2025 season. After the end of the first quarter it looked like we might have had a close game on our hands. However, Pitt proved to be too much for Duquesne as the game went on, losing 61-9 in the Week 1 showdown.

Quarterback Eli Holstein set a new career high for passing touchdowns and Desmond Reid had two explosive touchdowns. Kyle Louis stood out on defense as usual with two sacks and three tackles for loss.

Pitt vs. Duquesne Week 1 Recap

Slow Start for Pitt

Outside of Desmond Reid’s punt return on his first touch of the game, the Pitt offense started slow. Eli Holstein only had 35 passing yards through the teams first five offensive drives. And, one of those drives ended in a red zone interception.

In the post game presser Holstein said he, “didn’t see the back side safety, and thought Poppi Williams was all alone in the end zone” in regards to the interception.

That was a fourth down play, so if a misake was to be made, it wasn’t a bad play to throw one to the end zone instead of taking a sack.

After Reid’s touchdown return, Pitt and Duquesne traded scores. The first was a 4-yard pass to Blue Hicks from Eli Holstein, followed by a 7-yard pass to BJ Alexander from Tyler Riddell for the Dukes. After that it was all Panthers the rest of the way.

Pitt’s Offense Explodes

With four minutes left in the second quarter, Pitt scored five unanswered touchdowns. Just like that, the lead was 48-6 in favor of the Panthers. Holstein threw three touchdowns in this stretch, while Reid and freshman running back Juelz Goff each ran a touchdown.

Meanwhile, Duquesne only scored three points in the last 40 minutes of game time. So as the offense got hot, the defense locked down for the Panthers.

Stars Shine for Pitt

The key players in this matchup all showed out for Pitt. As previously stated, Eli Holstein set a new career-high with four touchdown passes. Meanwhile, Desmond Reid had scores from 88 yards on a punt return, and 53 yards on a hand off from Holstein.

PUNT RETURN TUDDY 🤯

Desmond Reid takes it 88 yards to put @Pitt_FB on the board!

📺 @accnetwork pic.twitter.com/zvgDKj40KM

— ACC Football (@ACCFootball) August 30, 2025

Reid was asked in the post game presser if he knows when he has a defender beat to the end zone, and his answer was quote-worthy.

“I never look back after I get through that first level,” began Reid. “I know I’m gone.”

In limited action, Reid finished with eight rushes for 66 yards and a touchdown, while adding the 88-yard punt return in the first quarter.

On defense, Kyle Louis was all over the place in the first half. He had back-to-back sacks on a drive, and added another tackle for loss. Just like the other starters, Louis saw limited time after the first half.

New Face Shines For Pitt

In the spring of 2025 Pitt got a transfer receiver from Louisville. Cataurus “Blue” Hicks made his debut for the Panthers today, and he did not disappoint.

Hicks had four receptions for 55 yards and two touchdowns. His second touchdown is an early candidate for catch of the year.

ONE HANDED GRAB BY BLUE 😱

Second TD of the day for 3️⃣

📺 @accnetwork

Pitt 34, Duquesne 6 pic.twitter.com/PkicBtkOBr

— Pitt Football (@Pitt_FB) August 30, 2025

Pat Narduzzi was very impressed with Hicks in the post game presser, where he praised Hicks along with Reid and Holstein.

Coach’s Comments

Pat Narduzzi had a very vanilla press conference. He opened with a monologue covering most broad questions that would get asked. He said the usual lines about how they need to do the little things right, and definitely need to start better early. Other than that, Narduzzi didn’t have any responses worth noting.

He did mention that the reason Kenny Johnson was returning punts late in the game was because he could be needed to relieve Reid if he needs a blow. Johnson was not on the field other than to return punts in the late second half.

My Thoughts

This game went as expected. Pitt ended up dominating against Duquesne in Week 1, even after a slow offensive start. The defense played really well outside of a couple chunk plays for Duquesne.

This game doesn’t change how I feel about Pitt at all. I’m not moved either way. Central Michigan will be a better test for the Panthers next week, as they are coming off a win over San Jose State. They were two touchdown underdogs in that game.