Historic Pitt, Duquesne Game Ends In Blowout

PITTSBURGH (AP) — Eli Holstein threw a career-high four touchdown passes as Pitt opened the season with a 61-9 victory over crosstown rival Duquesne. Desmond Reid returned a punt 88 yards for a score and later added a 53-yard touchdown as Pitt easily won the first meeting between the two schools since 1939. Holstein finished 15 of 23 passes for 215 yards added another 41 yards rushing. Two of Holstein’s scoring tosses went to sophomore wide receiver Cataurus Hicks, including a pretty one-handed grab in the end zone shortly before halftime that gave the Panthers a 34-6 lead. Joey Isabella caught eight passes for 120 yards for Duquesne. The family of former Pitt commit Mason Alexander spent the day with the team, five months after Alexander died in a car accident in Indiana. Alexander’s mother, Kelly Harris, led the singing of the Pitt fight song and received the game ball from head coach Pat Narduzzi afterward. The Panthers will also play this season with a decal featuring the letter M with a halo over it on their helmets.