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Cincinnati got a boost this week heading into its “River City Rivalry” matchup against Pittsburgh.

Redshirt junior defensive tackle Dontay Corleone, a 2022 All-American and preseason All-Big 12 selection this fall, has been cleared to play by the Cincinnati medical staff after being treated for blood clots in his lungs in June.

He was a full participant in practice Tuesday for the first time this season. His playing status for Saturday’s game against the visiting Panthers will be determined later in the week.

“I’m excited to be back on the field with my brothers,” Corleone said. “I will continue to lead on and off the field. For the last few months, I have worked extremely hard to make a return.”

The Bearcats (1-0) could use Corleone back on the defensive line after allowing 435 yards of total offense to FCS Towson in a 38-20 win last Saturday. The Bearcats were sloppy at times and allowed several big plays in the first half.

“He’s a heck of an outstanding football player,” Pitt coach Pat Narduzzi said. “He was out during the summer, but I expect Dontay to be back. I think he’ll be back for us.”

The Panthers (1-0), who lost in an upset at home to the Bearcats last year, have turned to a no-huddle spread offense to pump up their production from 2023. The new look produced 570 yards in a 55-24 win over Kent State last week, Pitt’s highest single-game output since the 2021 ACC title season.

Making his collegiate debut, redshirt freshman quarterback Eli Holstein threw for 336 yards and three touchdowns while running back Desmond Reid, a second team All-American at FCS Western Carolina last year, totaled 234 all-purpose yards in his initial FBS game. Reid scored twice, including a 78-yard punt return touchdown.

“A win is a win is a win,” Narduzzi said. “We’ll make corrections. They’re very coachable guys, and I like where they are attitude-wise right now, and we’ll move on to a good Cincinnati football team.”

–Field Level Media