Pittsburgh coach Pat Narduzzi spent part of the week grousing about his defense, the one that had served as more bystander than difference-maker during the Panthers’ unbeaten start. His players were listening.

It was only a matter of time before Desmond Reid took over against Cal. Pitt faced a 4th-and-1 from its own 28 to open the second quarter, and Eli Holstein handed the ball off to Reid and watched him race 72 yards to the end zone.

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Desmond Reid ran for 120 yards and two touchdowns, and No. 22 Pitt held off California 17-15 on Saturday. The Panthers improved to 6-0 for the first time since 1982 by relying on a defense that racked up six sacks on a day their revamped offense struggled.

Desmond Reid ran for 120 yards and two touchdowns, and No. 22 Pitt held off California 17-15 on Saturday. The Panthers improved to 6-0 for the first time since 1982 by relying on a defense that racked up six sacks on a day their revamped offense struggled.

Pittsburgh's Desmond Reid ran 72 yards on a fourth-down play in the second quarter, California's Ryan Coe missed a potential go-ahead field goal with 1:50 remaining and the Panthers held