PITTSBURGH (93.7 The Fan) – Listed at 5’8”, 175 pounds, Pitt running back Desmond Reid has played like 6’7”, 282-pound Yankees slugger Aaron Judge. Both have been home run hitters, although Reid is getting hit between the bases.
In his first season playing at the FBS level, Reid has carried the ball 33 times, caught nine passes, returned a punt for a touchdown. In all at least 105 snaps through two games. How is the Panthers most explosive player going to make it through the season, let alone the Backyard Brawl on Saturday?
First, Reid said he takes care of his body with what he called ‘full body work’ which includes ice and hot tubs. It’s backed up by one of the offensive captains.
“Des is a tough guy,” said senior receiver Konata Mumpfield. “I expect that from him being from Florida. He’s always in the training room, taking care of his body. He’s a big part of this program. A big part of the offense and we are going to need him.”
A dynamic part of the Pitt offense so far-his first score being the 78-yard punt return, then a 46-yard TD run. Then a rare double-double on Saturday against Cincinnati. Reid ran 19 times for 148 yards and caught six passes for 106 yards.
How do you try to manage the workload for a player stepping up a level and sometimes a half-foot, or more, shorter and sometimes 100 or more pounds lighter than his competitors? A player that means a lot to your team?
“It all depends,” said Pitt head coach Pat Narduzzi. “What makes you great? I've talked about how tough he is, how physical he is. If you try to pull back on most players, they're going to be like, Coach, did you see what I did last week? I'm going to do that again.”
As Reid said, during games he doesn’t feel pain or at least he doesn’t think about it. He’s just trying to win. Narduzzi said it comes down to how ready he is for the weekly matchup.
“It's all in your preparation,” Narduzzi said. “It's how you practice. We're not going to slow him down. He's going to do what he does. He's in the weight room. He got recovery (Sunday). He got a lift in. There's nothing better after a game than a lift. Let me just tell you that. A lift after a game -- it's not easy to go in there, but once you walk out of there and tighten up your muscles, you feel much better after a nice recovery and a lift. I'll tell you that.”
Reid has played 103 offensive snaps in two games and Narduzzi said he’s not only a good blocker, but willing. It’s a lot on any body, but for someone 5’8”? The Western Carolina transfer says don’t worry about it.
“I will be good,” Reid said. “I will make sure my body is good.”
“In a couple of more games that’s when we start conference play. That’s when it really counts. Will make sure my body is good by then.”
Reid’s next challenge is West Virginia. Rivalry games are typical as physical as they come. He said he really never played in one before outside of high school. He ready though for a sold out crowd and pure emotion.
“It’s hate,” Reid said. “They hate us and we hate them. Coach Duzz (Narduzzi) showed us a couple of videos of West Virginia fans last year. How they were acting. That would make it fun. We just got to come out and play good and start fast.”
He needs to be a huge part of that, once again.
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