Instant connection between Mason Heintschel, Desmond Reid sparks Pitt's passing game

Pat Narduzzi has been around the block enough as a defensive-oriented football coach to know how to scheme up pass coverage against tailbacks.

As Narduzzi well knows, running backs with pass-catching chops can be a real nuisance if allowed to operate on the perimeter or across the middle of the field.

This season, Narduzzi is on the preferred end of that dynamic in having Desmond Reid as an asset as opposed to an adversary. But how might Narduzzi approach shutting down a player like Reid through the air?

“It comes down to game planning, putting your guys in position and getting your tailback in mismatches where (defenders) have to run to get him or they lose him,” Narduzzi said. “And they’re running through traffic to get to the guy. If you play man coverage, you’ve got to be alert to No. 0.”

Narduzzi, cognizant of unintentionally assisting upcoming opponents, is unlikely to offer a deeper dive into how specifically a defense might be deployed to best stop Reid from contributing in the pass game.

That’ll be left for the coaches and coordinators on Pitt’s remaining schedule, beginning with Syracuse, where the Panthers (4-2, 2-1 ACC) will travel to Saturday.

But there can be no denying that Pitt will look to repeat some of the successes Reid had in last weekend’s upset over then-No. 25-ranked Florida State, when he caught eight passes for 155 yards and two scores versus the Seminoles.

Reid gashed Florida State as a receiver, catching passes of 8, 9 and 12 yards on Pitt’s opening touchdown drive before hauling in a 24-yard score down the sideline to make it 14-7 Panthers in the second quarter.

Welcome back Desmond Reid. Such a weapon. Skills translate well to the NFL.pic.twitter.com/jTzO0tD5mz

— John @Dynasty Trades (@dynasty_trades) October 11, 2025

In the third quarter, on third-and-6 from Pitt’s 19-yard line, Reid had his most explosive play of the day, taking a pass from Mason Heintschel 50 yards upfield before catching a 16-yard touchdown pass.

Pitt's Mason Heintschel finds Desmond Reid for his 2nd rec TD
pic.twitter.com/GqwjiGvaP1

— The off-season (@TheOffSeasonCFB) October 11, 2025

Reid’s final contribution as a receiver came on Pitt’s first field goal drive in the fourth quarter as he caught a 35-yard pass that greatly aided Trey Butkowski when it came time to kick.

Following the game, Reid told reporters in Tallahassee he simply took advantage of what the defense was giving him.

“A lot of defenses we play, they don’t want to get beat deep,” Reid said. “They’ll drop linebackers back to make sure they don’t get beat deep, and I’m open right (across the middle of the field). Mason threw the ball to me, and I made some (defenders miss).”

Desmond Reid 20 TOUCHES, 200 YDS, 2 TDs vs Florida State Today. https://t.co/IuReMaORKF pic.twitter.com/j79obYlhwF

— Football Performances (@NFLPerformances) October 11, 2025

Reid, playing for the first time since Sept. 13, was Heintschel’s favorite target of the day, amassing nine targets.

Wideout Blue Hicks was held without a catch (Heintschel tried to hit him once, resulting in an interception), whereas Kenny Johnson made one grab for 42 yards.

Other than Reid, Poppi Williams was Pitt’s most productive receiver, catching six passes for 78 yards.

But in total, Heintschel’s targets to his three primary receivers (10) exceeded Reid’s by only one attempt.

Still, for receivers coach JJ Laster, having Reid as another target presents multiple benefits.

“He’s another playmaker,” Laster said. “Now we’ve got another playmaker on the field. He does a great job of understanding coverages and being able to get open. And then, (yards after catch). When he catches the ball, he makes explosive plays. That helps the whole offense out, because now, people are trying to take away him, which opens up some things for our other receivers.”

Reid was still sidelined when Heintschel ascended Pitt’s depth chart to starting quarterback versus Boston College on Oct. 4.

Now, after playing with him for a game, Reid’s seen in live action what he’d observed for months prior.

With Pitt looking to stay in the win column, the instant connection between Heintschel and Reid bodes well for the Panthers being able to string more wins together.

“I been knowing Mason was a dawg,” Reid said. “During the spring, I saw how he played. He just has a pro’s mindset and keeps getting better every game. He’s going to keep getting better, and he’s a leader, too. He talks to us a lot.

“He threw two picks, but he never came to the sideline with his head down. He blamed himself for it and said, ‘We’re going to get it back.’

“I love Mason. He’s a dawg.”