PITTSBURGH — Nate Yarnell didn’t reinvent the wheel or anything against Boston College. He didn’t throw for 300 yards or three touchdowns. But he was definitely good enough to lead Pitt to a win.
He was cool and composed in the pocket, he threw with touch and anticipation, and most importantly, his sound decision-making didn’t lead to any turnovers against the Eagles’ defense. He completed 11-of-19 pass attempts for 207 yards and a touchdown — adding another touchdown on the ground.
And he’s “probably” done enough to be the Pitt starter when the Panthers travel to Durham, N.C. to close the 2023 season out against Duke.
“I guess we’ll see, right?” Pat Narduzzi said following the game. “I would say probably, right? It’s pretty simple. Protect the ball, and you have a chance to win.”
Narduzzi said that it was a team decision to make the switch from Christian Veilleux to Yarnell this week, a decision that Frank Cignetti Jr. relayed to Yarnell Sunday after arriving back in Pittsburgh from New York City, and it came largely because of Veilleux’s turnover struggles over the last couple of weeks.
“We still have a lot of confidence in Christian,” Narduzzi said. “He will be ready to go, and he is going to learn from his mistakes. Sunday, we said we were going with Nate, and Nate took all the snaps with the 1s all week. We just felt like he would go in and make really good decisions, which he did today. He protected the ball and gives you a chance to win a football game.”
Veilleux has completed 94-of-184 pass attempts (51.1%) for 1,179 yards with seven touchdowns and eight interceptions this season. And after two good starts, the first of his collegiate career, he’s slogged through three rough performances in a row — turning the football over increasingly often.
Yarnell has only played in three games this season, making his first start against Boston College, and he’s now completed 16-of-27 pass attempts (59.2%) for 330 yards with two touchdowns — and another rushing touchdown.
Yarnell looked comfortable as the starter against Boston College, and while it wasn’t the toughest of opponents, he looked as good — if not better — than Veilleux or Phil Jurkovec at their peaks this season. But there is no regret when it comes to inserting Yarnell into the lineup in the 11th game.
“We can regret and look back and all that,” Narduzzi said. “There’s no regrets. We all can look backward. It’s part of the game. It is what it is. Nate is a good football player, as we know, and he is 2-0 as a starter. I’ve told you all along since August that we had faith in all three quarterbacks, but the guys have to protect the ball and give us a chance to win. It was Nate tonight.”
Yarnell, it very likely appears, will have one more chance to prove that he’s the starting quarterback of the future for Pitt. And it will come on the road against Duke next weekend.
Duke will be a lot tougher than BC. Looking forward to seeing Nate perform and develop. H2P !
Passed over Nick Patti and Davis Beville much like they have done with Nate Yarnell for portal retread tires. Don’t get alarmed if he showcases himself and pulls an MJ Morris like NC State player is doing.
What goes around comes around.
Davis Beville 1 start : vs. Texas (10/8) and completed six passes for 38 yards
This is a complete clown show! Yarnell has a huge upside, but these idiots couldn’t see it if Dan Marino came back in time for them. Please end this disaster in a week and FIRE Cignetti!
H2P!
“Narduzzi said that it was a team decision to make the switch from Christian Veilleux to Yarnell this week…”
What????
I thought he was the head coach. At the very least, Cignetti owns all this.
But to say it’s a “team decision” looks like you are trying to absolve yourself from any criticism.
ClownDog.
It is about time, Pitt has brought in 3 transfers over 2 years without giving this kid a fair shot. So much for loyalty. Now bring in a innovative Offensive Coordinator that uses his weapons. Pitt has a lot of talent they just are not put in a position that suits their talents. Please change the defense to suit the players talent and not your ego Narduzzi.
Yarnell proved himself last season only to be passed over. Yarnell is doing it again this season, and Narduzzi is still heaping praise and saying that Veilleux will be ready in the future?! Give me a break Pat! Let Yarnell have his freaking moment!
Nate made quick decisions and got rid of the ball before the D could recover.
Duzz played the game not to lose, typical HC from the defensive side. If Castellanos doesn’t throw the second pick, we lose. Expect that was why Whipple left (plus the extra half million from Nebraska.
Cignetti gets thrown under the bus but Duzz has to own the “play not to lose attitude.
As much as we like to rip Narduzzi for Whipple leaving, I’m just not in that house. Our run game was horrendous when Whipple was here and Narduzzi was looking for balance. We couldn’t get 3 & 3 or 2 or 1 consistently out of the run game. What I will agree with is the fact he completely botched the next hire and threw Whipple under a bus while doing so. I’m ok he moved on from Whipple, what I’m not good with is his complete lack of ability to hire a decent OC. He’s had 5 or 6 and… Read more »
Good use of the middle third of the field. It was not adding up why Phil and Christian were not doing so, Nate did a amazing job in this regard.
Joe D in the Trib and others here forget about the difference in competition and the fact that we had 3 or 4 OL starters out for 2 of PJ’s games and all of CV’s games. Veilleux faced 3 Top 25 defenses. Yarnell didn’t. He didn’t prove himself by beating WMU last year. That’s like saying Jurkovec proved himself by beating Wofford. There likely isn’t much difference in the overall quality of these 3 QBs. Last night, we had 3 starters on OL finally and Moore is now mature and looks like a winner at Center..so it’s like having 4… Read more »
I agree with the OL statement, but have you seen PJ throw the ball? He is very inaccurate and not much velocity on the ball. Yarnell’s quick release is head and shoulders above the other two with better accuracy. He’s no Marino, but his upside is 1000% higher than the other two. CV is a good backup but not as much potential as Yarnell.
H2P!!!
Agree Kevin. Competition aside, Yarnell is visibly more composed and comfortable in the pocket.
Are you suggesting Yarnell has a quicker release and better arm than CV? I don’t think so it’s even close. Ask Bub Means or the other guys who they think has the best arm. However, I think Yarnell’s strengths are poise, quick feet and a soft touch and I hope he helps us beat Duke!
Yarnell made quicker reads, looks to be his strength. Give him another year in the weight room and I expect we will see a lot more zip on the ball.
Are you suggesting Yarnell has a quicker release and better arm than CV? I don’t think so it’s even close but I think Yarnell’s strengths are poise, quick feet and a soft touch and I hope he helps us beat Duke!
I sometimes wonder if Pat is watching the same games we are.
The deflection on decision making. Has anyone heard a head coach of a prominent program say anything like “its a group decision”?
Pat is staying. I’m certain. But if he’s going to let his OC make all the decisions then let that OC be from this century. H2P!
If Duzz stays, Cignetti doesn’t. Heather might make that decision. Looks like the pickin’s are getting slimmer for Michigan State. T A&M will out bid MSU for MSU’s top choice so Duzz is in the mix.
Yarnell’s pedigree is stellar. Lake Travis HS in Texas prev QBs Baker Mayfield Garrett Gilbert Michael and Charlie Brewer last 9 QBs have gone D1. He won state championship in 7on7 twice in TX. Maybe the Smartest QB inThe country. Played flawlessly in two starts. Locker room seems to love him. I don’t get it. Say it out loud. He’s the starter should have been the starter and you made a mistake. Own it. Show some balls and accept mistakes