Duquesne9 @FINAL 61Pittsburgh , Week 1, Aug 30, 2025

Duquesne held their own early, forcing a punt and intercepting Pitt's Eli Holstein, showing they can compete with higher-level teams despite the final 61-9 score.

Riddell passed for 154 yards and a touchdown, displaying composure under pressure from Pitt's pass rush, which bodes well for future games.

Isabella caught 8 passes for 120 yards, nearly extending his touchdown streak to eight games, indicating he is a key offensive weapon.

The Dukes were worn down by Pitt's depth and line-of-scrimmage advantage, leading to four consecutive Pitt touchdowns, highlighting areas for improvement.

Duquesne will face Lincoln (Pa.) next Saturday, a more manageable opponent where they can build on positives and address weaknesses from this game.

Eli Holstein threw a career-high 4 touchdown passes and ran for 41 yards, showing he can be a dual-threat QB. The offense scored 61 points, but early rust (interception, punt) suggests they may need to start faster against tougher opponents.

Reid returned a punt 88 yards for a TD and added a 53-yard rushing TD, demonstrating his game-breaking ability. His explosiveness makes him a key weapon for Pitt's offense and special teams, which could be crucial in close games.

Cataurus 'Blue' Hicks caught 2 TD passes, joining Kenny Johnson as a reliable target. The receivers are establishing themselves, which should help Holstein spread the ball and keep defenses guessing.

Pitt held Duquesne to 9 points and limited their offense despite some early composure from the Dukes' QB. The defense's depth and line advantage were clear, but they will face a stiffer test against Central Michigan.

Playing for Mason Alexander, the team showed strong emotional drive. This unity could carry over into next week, but they must avoid emotional letdowns against a more competitive opponent.