Pittsburgh is a weird place for sports. You’ve got two campuses essentially separated by a bridge and a few miles of pavement, yet their football teams spent most of the last century acting like the other didn't exist. When Duquesne football vs Pittsburgh Panthers football finally returned to the schedule on August 30, 2025, it wasn't just another season opener. It was the end of an 86-year ghost story.
Most people don't realize how deep the "City Game" roots actually go. Before the 2025 blowout, these two hadn't met on the gridiron since 1939. That is wild. Think about it: the last time a Duke tackled a Panther before this recent meeting, FDR was in the White House and the microwave was a sci-fi dream.
The 86-Year Itch and the 2025 Reality Check
When the ball kicked off at Acrisure Stadium in late August 2025, the atmosphere was electric. Honestly, it felt more like a family reunion that might turn into a fistfight. 53,006 fans showed up. For Duquesne, an FCS program that usually plays at Arthur J. Rooney Athletic Field (which holds about 2,200 people), this was massive. It was actually the largest crowd to ever watch a Duquesne game since they brought the program back in 1969.
But the game itself? It was a reminder of why these divisions exist.
Pitt won 61-9. It was lopsided, sure, but it wasn't a total snooze-fest for the local faithful. Desmond Reid, Pitt’s explosive senior back, basically ended the suspense three minutes in with an 88-yard punt return TD. He followed that up with a 53-yard touchdown run later. Eli Holstein, Pitt's redshirt sophomore QB, looked like a guy who’s been eating his Wheaties, throwing for a career-high four touchdowns.
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Duquesne had their moments, though. Tyler Riddell found B.J. Alexander for a 7-yard score in the second quarter to make it 14-6. For a brief, shining moment, the Duquesne sideline actually believed. Joey Isabella was a beast for the Dukes, hauling in eight catches for 120 yards. If you were just looking at him, you’d think he belonged on the Power 4 roster.
Why This Rivalry Went Extinct
So, why did they stop playing for nearly nine decades? It’s a mix of "bad blood" and shifting priorities. Back in the 1930s, this was a legitimate heavyweight fight. In 1936, Duquesne actually beat Pitt 7-0. Legend has it that Pitt’s legendary coach, Jock Sutherland, was so mad he refused to show up to practice the next week.
Then came 1939. Duquesne stunned the world with a 21-13 victory.
After that, things got complicated. World War II happened, programs were de-emphasized, and the gap between the "haves" and "have-nots" in college football started to widen into a canyon. Pitt stayed in the top tier (FBS), while Duquesne eventually landed in the FCS (Football Championship Subdivision). For years, the "City Game" was strictly a basketball thing, and even that has been on life support lately.
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Breaking Down the All-Time Series
If you're looking at the history books, the numbers are a bit skewed because of that massive gap in time.
- Overall Series: Pitt leads 6-2.
- The 1930s Era: It was a surprisingly competitive 4-2 in favor of Pitt.
- The Modern Era: Just the one game in 2025, which Pitt dominated.
- Points Scored: Before 2025, the scores were usually low-scoring, muddy affairs. 2025 changed that math significantly.
It’s interesting to note that Duquesne’s 1939 win was actually their last victory in the series. They held that "defending winner" title for 86 years simply because Pitt wouldn't get back in the ring with them.
What Fans Get Wrong About the Matchup
The biggest misconception is that this is a "cupcake" game for Pitt without any stakes. For the city of Pittsburgh, it's about bragging rights at the local bar. A huge chunk of Duquesne’s roster grew up in Western PA. They played high school ball with the guys wearing the Pitt script.
When Antonio Epps or Jack Dunkley (who notched a sack against Pitt in 2025) suit up, they aren't just playing a "money game." They're playing for respect in their own zip code. Pat Narduzzi, Pitt's head coach, even admitted as much, calling the Dukes "Pittsburgh tough."
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Is There a Future for Duquesne vs Pitt?
Right now? The schedule is a bit of a question mark. Pitt has their eyes on the ACC and trying to climb back into the national conversation after a rollercoaster 7-6 season in 2024. Duquesne is focused on dominating the Northeast Conference (NEC).
However, the 2025 game was a financial and atmospheric success. Drawing over 53,000 fans for a season opener against a local FCS school is much better for the bottom line than playing a random team from three states away that nobody cares about.
If you’re a fan of Pittsburgh sports, here is what you should be watching:
- The Attendance Trends: If Pitt keeps seeing huge gates for local matchups, they’ll book more.
- Scheduling Cycles: Look for openings in 2027 or 2028. These games are usually scheduled 2-3 years out.
- The Basketball Factor: If the schools can finally agree to play the City Game on the hardwood again, the football invite will follow.
Practical Takeaways for the Local Fan
If you're planning on attending the next time these two meet, keep a few things in mind. First, don't buy tickets in the upper deck; the atmosphere is always better in the lower bowl at Acrisure for these games. Second, the tailgates are a weird, beautiful mix of blue-and-gold and red-and-blue. It’s one of the few times you’ll see families split right down the middle, half in Pitt gear and half in Duquesne threads.
Next steps for you:
- Check the 2026 and 2027 schedules: Pitt usually announces their non-conference slate by late spring.
- Support the Dukes at Rooney Field: If you want to see Joey Isabella and the crew in a tighter environment, head to the Bluff. It’s one of the most unique settings in college football.
- Monitor the Transfer Portal: A lot of local talent that starts at Pitt ends up at Duquesne (and vice versa), which keeps the fire under this rivalry alive even when they aren't playing every year.
The "Battle for the 'Burgh" might not be a weekly occurrence, but 2025 proved that when it happens, the city stops and watches. Whether it takes another 86 years or just two, the geography alone makes this a game that matters.