PITTSBURGH — It did not take long for one of Pitt’s newest offensive weapons to introduce himself. However, it came on special teams instead of out of the backfield.
Western Carolina transfer Desmond Reid took the first punt of the game 78 yards to the end zone to make it 14-0 less than five minutes into the game against Kent State.
The punt bounced in front of Reid before he picked it up at the Pitt 22-yard line. The 5-foot-8, 175-pound Reid took a shot from a Golden Flash. However, he absorbed it and took off to his right where he picked up a convoy of blockers, weaving his way down the field to put the Panthers up two scores.
Pitt’s last punt return came in 2022 against Rhode Island when M.J. Devonshire took one 82 yards for a score.
Reid’s punt return came after Pitt scored on its opening drive of the game with quarterback Eli Holstein connecting with Konata Mumpfield for an 11-yard score. The drive went 90 yards on 10 plays in less than three minutes.
Reid, a junior, was named the starting running back for Pitt earlier in the week and will be featured in the return game throughout the season. Last year with Western Carolina, Reid ran for 897 yards and 13 touchdowns on 131 carries.
That was impressive. Holstein looks good but the offensive line is a major liability Branson still can’t block a speed rusher. In general the whole offensive line has been a major glaring weakness the continued recruitment of substandard level OL recruits for years and it’s clearly showing.