Desmond Reid returns for ACC opener at UNC

PITTSBURGH (93.7 The Fan) – Not one to give up injury information, even when you pry, Pitt head coach Pat Narduzzi had some news about a key player during his weekly news conference on Monday.

Narduzzi said running back Desmond Reid will return from an undisclosed injury as the Panthers open ACC play at North Carolina Saturday at noon. The first-year Panther missed the Youngstown State game with an undisclosed injury which also reduced his workload against West Virginia.

The Panthers head coach said the transfer from Western Carolina is 100%.

Reid dazzled fans in his Panthers debut with 145 yards on 14 carries in the win over Kent State. Then at Cincinnati became the first Pitt player ever to have a 100-yard rushing and receiving performance in the same game.

While Reid was out against YSU, Narduzzi had an opportunity to evaluate a few other running backs. Sixth-year Daniel Carter had his first 100-yard game moving full-time from fullback to running back and dropping tens of pounds.

“If you go back and watch the video tape, he reads his blocks well,” Narduzzi said. “He understands what we're trying to get. Sometimes a running back is not just get the handoff and make a play and find the hole, he does a good job of understanding what the whole scheme is offensively and where that ball needs to go and where he's cutting it back and how our offensive line and tight ends are blocking the run-up player there. He understands, he's really smart.”

They also introduced 5’10”, 180-pound Che Nwabuko as a running back after the move from wide receiver. The redshirt sophomore rushed three times for 65 yards including a 57-yard touchdown.

While Reid assumes the starter role, the Panthers may have found some options behind him along with mixing in Gateway HS graduate Derrick Davis who has been praised by coaches even if he hasn’t yet put up the numbers.

While North Carolina has a strong running game with Omarion Hampton, their defense is vulnerable to giving up running yards. Tar Heels are ninth in the ACC in rushing yards allowed and 15 ^th in the conference in scoring defense. Now Pitt has its top back returning against a team they’ve had some classic games against.