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There’s No One Like Pitt RB Desmond Reid in College Football

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Pitt running back Desmond Reid

“Desmond Reid for Heisman,” a voice called out.

Reid himself laughed.

He was stepping out of an elevator following his postgame interview in a classroom building just outside Nippert Stadium in Cincinnati, Ohio last month. He was pretty good against the Bearcats, racking up 148 yards on the ground and 106 yards through the air in a come-from-behind win.

It was the second straight standout performance for Reid, who entered the season-opener against Kent State the week prior as the surprise starter, but Heisman Trophy talk was premature.

Reid likely isn’t going to win the Heisman Trophy this season, but he’s certainly in line for some serious postseason accolades.

It’s pointless to project what Reid might accomplish this season right now for a couple of reasons. One, the only person to limit Reid so far has been himself. And two, Reid is entirely unpredictable on a week-by-week basis.

It was Reid the Receiver who dominated against North Carolina, racking up 155 yards and a touchdown through the air, and it was Reid the Runner who won the game against Cal.

“Even though I won Receiver of the Week, I’m like, man, I’m a running back,” Reid said Saturday night. “I’m trying to run the ball.”

Pitt needed Reid desperately against Cal. Eli Holstein was off his game for the first time, and the Panthers needed a spark that only the most versatile playmaker in the country could provide.

Pitt running back Desmond Reid

Pittsburgh Panthers wide receiver Desmond Reid (0) August 31, 2024 Photo by David Hague/PSN

Look at the two fourth down conversions in the first half.

Pitt decided to go for it on 4th-and-5 at the Pitt 48 midway through the first quarter. Holstein took the shotgun snap and hit Reid in stride over the middle of the field for a 19-yard pickup.

“As good as (Cal linebacker Cade) Ululave is, I don’t know that there are many linebackers anywhere who can stay with Dez Reid,” play-by-play man Dave Flemming said.

Reid barreled into the end zone from five yards out six plays later for the first Pitt touchdown.

Pitt then decided to go for it on 4th-and-1 at the Pitt 28 to open the second quarter. Kade Bell drew up a play on the sideline for Reid, if the offense wasn’t able to make Cal jump offside. Reid took the handoff, burst through the hole and raced 72 yards to the end zone.

“We’ve got faith in our offense, and we were 2-for-2 on 4th down,” Pat Narduzzi said Saturday night. “Those were two critical plays. The 4th-and-5 we converted for a TD, Des goes, and then 4th-and-1 — no, 4th-and-1 was Des’s, but that was a T we drew up on the 4th-and-5.”

Reid finished the afternoon with 120 yards and two touchdowns on the ground and 19 yards through the air in one of his most unproductive outings — yard-wise — this season. As unbelievable as that seems.

He’s in rarified air through five games. He’s the first player in the last 20 years to rack up 300 yards and three touchdowns on the ground and in the air through five games.

Reid has racked up 78 carries for 494 yards (6.3 yards per carry) and three touchdowns and 25 receptions for 341 yards (13.6 yards per reception) and four touchdowns this season — adding a 78-yard punt return touchdown.

He has three 100-yard rushing performances, two 100-yard receiving performances and three multi-touchdown performances. But he’s scored a touchdown in every game this season.

And it’s even more impressive considering he missed the entire game against Youngstown State to rest up completely for conference play.

Reid is a threat every single time he steps onto the football field.

“That’s what makes it so hard with Desmond in the backfield because he’s a running back but he’s also a receiver,” Narduzzi said last week. “It’s not like he’s a good receiver and an average running back. The guy can make plays when he gets the ball handed off.”

He can make plays whether he takes a handoff, runs a route out of the backfield or even lines up out wide.

Reid has been targeted 32 times this season, which is third-most on the team. He’s done the majority of his work short of the sticks (14 receptions on 19 targets for 251 yards and three touchdowns), but he’s caught two of his four targets beyond 10 yards for 91 yards and a touchdown.

He’s been a yards-after-catch machine this season, which should be expected from such a dynamic target. But he’s truly been the best. He’s averaging 2.36 yards per route run this season, with an average depth of target of 3.5 yards (fourth longest among running backs with at least 23 targets).

Reid is tied for fourth in receptions (24) and second in yards (342) and receiving touchdowns (four) among all running backs with at least 23 targets this season. And he’s third in yards after catch (280) and second in yards per route run (2.36). Pitt quarterbacks have a 148.7 quarterback rating when targeting Reid this season — 158.3 is perfect.

Pitt running back Desmond Reid.

Pittsburgh Panthers wide receiver Desmond Reid (0) September 14, 2024. Michael Longo/PSN

But, of course, Reid is the leading rusher, too. He’s racked up 79 carries for 496 yards (6.3 yards per carry) and three touchdowns.

Reid has racked up 230 yards after contact this season (2.91 yards per attempt) and broke off runs of 10+ yards 10 times and 15+ yards seven times — with a 49% breakaway percentage. And he’s forced 16 missed tackles.

It’s hard to find players like Reid; his impact has been pivotal. His 182.6 all-purpose yards per game trails only Boise State star Ashton Jeanty, perhaps the Heisman Trophy favorite. It’s hard to believe that Reid wasn’t sought-after out of Miramar High School a couple of years ago.

“It’s hard to guard Desmond Reid 1-on-1,” Holstein said after the win against UNC. “I don’t care who you are. It’s hard to guard that guy. So, when we get 1-on-1 with him on anybody, we’re trying to attack that guy because he’s gonna be able to make plays for us.”

Holstein and Reid have formed a dynamic 1-2 punch this season, and even though it wasn’t easy sledding against Cal, there’s so much potential entering the second half of the season. Reid knows it won’t be easy, but he’s determined to not allow another “poor” performance again.

“The focus wasn’t there,” Reid said. “We just weren’t locked in as an offense. We’ll do better with that; that won’t happen again.”

Sandy Schall, Coldwell Banker
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BigB
BigB
25 days ago

Great for Reid..On another note, our OC is getting schooled by our opponents on HOW TO USE THE TIGHT END….still waiting for Blue Mountain Bart’s break out game. If that occurs bigger opportunities could be there for our play-makers.

kevin
kevin
25 days ago
Reply to  BigB

Amen to that! I’m not sure why it’s been so hard to find the biggest receiver on the field. Just watch KC and how they get their TE open on EVERY play… Or even PSU last game. Typically TE passes are the easiest throw to make.
H2P!!!

BigB
BigB
24 days ago
Reply to  kevin

PITT is very vulnerable to the TE making big plays because of the aggressive blitzing leaving open spaces in the D to exploit…every once in a while, more like fairly regularly, our D get burned by the opponents TE….but who complaining…after all, we are undefeated!(so far)

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