Pitt Star RB Playing in Bowl Game

Pitt Panthers star running back will play in the Bowl Game.

Dominic Campbell | 19 Hours Ago

Nov 23, 2024; Louisville, Kentucky, USA; Pittsburgh Panthers running back Desmond Reid (0) runs against the Louisville Cardinals during the first quarter at L&N Federal Credit Union Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jamie Rhodes-Imagn Images / Jamie Rhodes-Imagn Images

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Pittsburgh Panthers

DETROIT -- The Pitt Panthers will have one of their best players back for Toledo in the GameAbove Sports Bowl at Ford Field.

Stephen Thompson of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reported that Panthers star junior running back Desmond Reid will play against the Rockets, after missing the season finale, a 34-23 road loss to the Boston College Eagles.

Oh and Desmond Reid will play. Ran out of room there. https://t.co/it7BFEa2oO
— stephen thompson (@stephenethom) December 26, 2024

He showed his talent in the season opener against Kent State at home on Aug. 31, leading Pitt with 10 rushes for 145 yards and returning a punt for a 78-yard touchdown. He also broke through the Kent State defense for a 46-yard rushing touchdown, running right past any defender that came remotely near him.

Reid had an even better game against Cincinnati in the River City Rivalry on the road in Week 2 on Sept. 7.

Reid finished with six catches for 106 receiving yards and a touchdown and had 19 carries for 148 yards, recording the first game a Pitt player had 100+ yards receiving and rushing. His best play came in the fourth quarter, as he took a pass from redshirt freshman quarterback Eli Holstein and ran 56 yards for a touchdown to cut the lead down to just two points.

He earned ACC Running Back of the Week honors for that performance, and led Pitt on a comeback, down 27-6 in the third quarter, to win 28-27, their largest comeback in more than 50 years.

Reid also earned ACC Wide Receiver of the Week honors in the 34-24 road win over North Carolina in Week 6 on Oct. 5.

He had 18 carries for 55 yards on the ground, but starred as option in the passing game for Holstein, making 11 catches for 155 yards and a touchdown in the victory.

The Pitt offense struggled in the 17-15 win vs. Cal in Week 7, but Reid had a 72-yard rushing touchdown, plus one from five yards out for two scores.

He has 151 carries for 797 yards, 5.2 yards per carry, 47 catches for 564 yards and four touchdowns and 12 punt returns for 148 yards and the touchdown vs. Kent State, in 10 games this season.

Reid ranks second in the ACC and sixth in the FBS with 150.90 all-purpose yards per game. Only North Carolina running back Omarion Hampton ranks higher at 160.19 all-purpose yards per game in the ACC.

He earned a number of accolades following the regular season, including All-ACC First Team honors as both all-purpose and return specialist and an All-ACC Honorable Mention at running back.

Reid also placed on the All-American teams as an all-purpose back for the Associated Press, CBS Sports, The Athletic and the Football Writers Association of American (FWAA) .

Pitt will also have graduating seniors in tight end Gavin Bartholomew and defensive back Donovan McMillon play vs. Toledo.

The Panthers will not have senior wide receiver Konata Mumpfield play vs. the Rockets, and redshirt senior Rashad Battle is out with an injury.

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Published 19 Hours Ago