Pitt, Duquesne size each other up before Saturday's clash at Acrisure Stadium

Under normal circumstances, Pitt meeting Duquesne on the football field would instill in the Panthers a desire to enact some revenge, given they lost the last matchup.

Conversely, Duquesne might look at things as a chance to stack up consecutive wins against their crosstown foe.

But Saturday at Acrisure Stadium, those rivalry cliches aren’t exactly applicable, seeing as it’s been 86 years, dating to Oct. 21, 1939, since the teams last played.

So such a gap between games doesn’t create the strongest connection between Pitt, Duquesne and the programs’ rosters and coaches.

Though both sides are appreciative of the series history, which spans six games from 1932-39, neither is drawing on the past for some source of inspiration.

“Nothing from the past week even has to do with the next week,” Dukes coach Jerry Schmitt said. “It’s exciting that it’s been so long. Everybody associated with this has the ability to be a part of something special.”

For Schmitt’s Dukes, who won a share of the Northeast Conference crown last year, and Pat Narduzzi’s Panthers, who limped to a 7-6 finish after a loss to Toledo in the GameAbove Sports Bowl, the goal Saturday is undoubtedly to win.

However, the odds will certainly be stacked against Duquesne, a Football Championship Subdivision program partaking in a season-opening “buy game” against the Panthers of the ACC.

Duquesne’s last seven matchups with Division I FBS programs over the past four seasons (Toledo, Boston College, West Virginia, Coastal Carolina, Florida State, Hawaii and TCU) have seen the Dukes outscored 343-58, although they did beat Ohio University, 28-26, in 2021.

But Duquesne’s players aren’t intimidated.

“We always preach faceless opponent,” said Dukes offensive lineman Cam McLaurin, a Montour graduate. “So we prepare for everybody the same. Doesn’t matter if it’s Alabama or Little Sisters of the Poor. We’re going to prepare the same way every time.”

Added Schmitt: “We have to play at our best no matter who we’re playing. I know sometimes that’s a cliche, but we drive on the fact that every single game and every single play, we have to play our best. And then, we have a chance. If we don’t do that, our chances are much lower.”

Pitt’s players and coaches would likely say the same thing as far as preparation. Inside UPMC Rooney Sports Complex on the South Side, Narduzzi and his staff undoubtedly have expectations for Saturday.

Win, win comfortably and win cleanly would probably be the three primary boxes they’re hoping to see checked.

To do that, attention is being paid to Dukes players who could cause trouble, namely veteran quarterback Tyler Riddell, a first-year player on the Bluff now in his seventh collegiate season.

“He’s a mature kid, a smart kid, a confident kid,” said Pitt safeties coach Cory Sanders. “He can move around and create some things in the pocket and extend plays, so we have to make sure we do a good job of locking onto our guys and not having bad eyes, because some things can get extended longer.

“When you’re in college that long, you’ve been in meeting rooms and learned from so many different people. He’s seen a lot of different looks and a lot of football. We’re ready for a kid who’s going to be back there, mature, smart and able to handle different things that we throw at him. He’s a talented football player.”

Though Sanders will have his eye on the likes of Riddell and dangerous skill players such as receiver Joey Isabella, Pitt defensive tackle Sean FitzSimmons has been impressed with what film study has revealed about Duquesne’s offensive line.

At left tackle, Duquesne is expected to start senior Brian Beidatsch, with graduate student Michael Fallah at left guard.

McLaurin, playing in his fifth season for the Dukes, is back at center. Tommy Brandt and Gary Satterwhite, a redshirt senior and graduate student, are at right guard/tackle.

“They’re looking pretty good,” FitzSimmons said. “They’re all returners, all older guys, so we expect a battle this weekend.”

Soon, those battles will commence.

“I think it’ll be a lot of excitement,” Narduzzi said. “It’s two Pittsburgh schools playing, and they haven’t for a long time. For it to happen this Saturday will be unique.”