PITTSBURGH – The Pitt Panthers have announced their starting lineup against the West Virginia Mountaineers at the Backyard Brawl at Acrisure Stadium.

Quarterback Eli Holstein
Running Back – Desmond Reid
Wide Receiver – Kenny Johnson
Wide Receiver – Konata Mumpfield
Wide Receiver – Raphael “Poppi” Williams Jr.
Wide Receiver – Censere “CJ” Lee
Wide Receiver – Daejon Reynolds
Tight End – Gavin Bartholomew
Left Tackle – Branson Taylor
Left Guard – Ryan Jacoby
Center-Lyndon Cooper
Right Guard-BJ Williams
Right Tackle – Ryan Baer

Defensive End – Nate Matlack
Defensive Tackle – Nick James
Defensive Tackle – Isaiah “Ghost” Neal
Defensive End – Jimmy Scott
Star Linebacker – Kyle Louis
Mike Linebacker – Brandon George
Money Linebacker – Rasheem Biles
Security – Donovan McMillon
Security – Javon McIntyre
Cornerback – Ryland Gandy
Battle between Cornerback and Rashad

Long Snapper – Nilay Upadhyayula
Placekicker – Ben Sauls
Punter-Caleb Junko
Holder Cam Guess

Sixth-year senior Ryan Jacoby returns to the starting lineup at left guard after missing last year’s game against the Cincinnati Bearcats. Fellow sophomore Jason Collier Jr. stepped in for him after Jacoby sustained an injury in the season opener on August 31.

The Panthers also named five wide receivers to the starting lineup: sophomore Kenny Johnson, senior Konata Mumpfield, redshirt junior Raphael “Poppi” Williams, junior Censere “CJ” Lee and redshirt junior Daejon Reynolds.

Sophomore linebacker Rasheem Biles will make his first start of his young career, starting at money linebacker ahead of fellow sophomore Braylan Lovelace, who started the first two games for the Panthers.

Redshirt freshman Isaiah “Ghost” Neal will once again start at defensive tackle for Pitt, along with redshirt sophomore and Indiana transfer Nick James. Redshirt junior Nakhi Johnson started at defensive tackle last week against Cincinnati.

Pitt will retain redshirt freshman Eli Holstein as its starting quarterback for its first Backyard Brawl. He threw three touchdowns in each of the first two wins and completed 10 of 11 passes for two touchdowns in the fourth quarter against Cincinnati, leading to a historic comeback.

Junior running back Desmond Reid will also make his first start at the Backyard Brawl after starring for the Panthers in the first two games of the season.

He ran for 145 yards and a 46-yard touchdown and a 78-yard punt return for a score in the win over the Golden Flashes. Against the Bearcats, he then had 19 carries for 148 yards and six catches for 106 yards and a touchdown, making him the first Panther to rush for more than 100 yards in a game.

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