PITTSBURGH (AP) — Antonio Epps' childhood growing up in Pittsburgh's southern suburbs was dotted with Saturday afternoons spent at what is now Acrisure Stadium watching the Panthers.

There was a brief stretch during Epps' junior year at South Allegheny High when it looked like the defensive back might have a chance to follow in the footsteps of some of his cousins — longtime NFL wide receiver Tyler Boyd included — and run out the tunnel as the marching band blared “Hail to Pitt."

Epps remembers talking “a little bit” with longtime Panthers coach Pat Narduzzi. When a scholarship offer didn't materialize, Epps moved on and he eventually signed with Duquesne, where the two-time captain has carved out a career as a sure tackler for a program that's annually a threat to make the FCS playoffs.

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