Tyler Boyd and Rori Blair Suspended by Pitt: Details, Comments and Reaction

The Pittsburgh Panthers will be without leading wide receiver Tyler Boyd and defensive lineman Rori Blair for their season-opening game against Youngstown State.

Sam Werner of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reported that both players were suspended for the game with the Penguins, while an official statement released on the school’s athletic website said: “The one-game disciplinary suspensions were the result of the players being involved in separate offseason legal situations involving motor vehicles.”

Andrea Adelson of ESPN.com noted that "Boyd was sentenced to one year of probation after he was charged with DUI in June. Blair was charged with driving under the influence of drugs after an arrest in March."

Coach Pat Narduzzi commented on the decision in the statement:

"

In addition to their game suspensions, Tyler and Rori have been, and will continue to be, subject to internal discipline and accountability. 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.

"

The loss of Boyd is particularly noteworthy because he was Pittsburgh’s best receiver during the 2014 season. In fact, he tallied 1,261 receiving yards and eight touchdowns as the team's one reliable downfield threat, while Manasseh Garner finished second on the team with a mere 201 receiving yards.

Blair is a key contributor along the defensive line and notched a sack in the team’s Armed Forces Bowl loss to Houston. He is expected to start this season.

The silver lining for the Panthers is the fact that the suspensions come against Youngstown State from the FCS. While it is important not to overlook any opponent at the college level, Pittsburgh will likely face much more difficult competition throughout the rest of the season after Boyd returns to the offense.

The Panthers face Iowa in their third game of the year and Virginia Tech in their fourth game, and they will need Boyd back on the field if they hope to walk away with early statement victories. What's more, Boyd's absence will give other receivers such as Dontez Ford the chance to establish an initial role in the passing game.

Jenn Menendez of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette noted that Ford in particular made an impression during spring practice as someone who can complement "Tyler Boyd at wide receiver to give the Panthers passing game more depth."

Ford, along with Pittsburgh’s rushing attack—which finished 16th in the country in 2014 in rushing yards per game—will likely fill the offensive void against the Penguins in the season opener.