Pitt suspends two for opener vs. YSU

Staff report

PITTSBURGH

Youngstown State’s opener against Pitt just got a little easier.

Panthers coach Pat Narduzzi suspended standout wide receiver Tyler Boyd as well as sophomore defensive lineman Rori Blair for the Sept. 5 opener against the Penguins.

Boyd, who was charged with driving under the influence in June, led the Atlantic Coast Conference with 1,261 yards receiving as a sophomore last season and earned second team All-America honors from SI.com as an all-purpose player. He’s the first player in ACC history to surpass 1,000 yards receiving as a freshman a sophomore.

Blair (6-4, 240), who was charged with a DUI in late July, played in 12 games last season as a true freshman with two starts. He led the Panthers with five sacks.

“In addition to their game suspensions, Tyler and Rori have been, and will continue to be, subject to internal discipline and accountability,” Narduzzi said in a statement. “The situations were very disappointing and both young men have expressed their regret. Our expectation is that each of them, as well as our entire team, will learn from their mistakes and be better for it moving forward.”

YSU defeated Pitt in the 2012 opener.