PITTSBURGH — The writing was on the wall when Eli Holstein played just about the entirety of the season opener against Kent State, but Pat Narduzzi confirmed it Monday.
Holstein — a 6-foot-4, 225-pound redshirt freshman quarterback from Zachary, Louis. — was listed alone atop the Week 2 depth chart, and Narduzzi said during his weekly press conference at the UPMC Rooney Sports Complex that Holstein is the starter going forward.
Holstein made his first collegiate start Saturday afternoon against Kent State and certainly didn’t disappoint. I think he showed the Pitt coaching staff exactly what they wanted to see.
Holstein completed 29-of-39 pass attempts (74%) for 330 yards with three touchdowns and an interception before giving way to Nate Yarnell in the fourth quarter. It was quite the statement in a season-opening victory.
Holstein wasn’t perfect, but he took a major step in the competition with his performance. He looked like a freshman making his first career start at times, but that’s okay. He was sharp, threw his wide receivers open with excellent poise and anticipation and made good decisions — for the most part.
Nate Yarnell only played a couple of series against Kent State, completing 4-of-8 pass attempts (50%) for 33 yards and a touchdown in his fourth quarter cameo.
Eli Holstein may have started slowly, but once he got going this offseason, he pushed Nate Yarnell every step of the way. Yarnell was the starter coming out of spring ball, but Holstein closed ground over the summer.
And it was midway through fall camp that Narduzzi started to see Holstein gain some momentum in the quarterback competition.
“You just watch him continue to get better every day, make good decisions with the ball and it’s all about the ball,” Narduzzi said Thursday. “I mean, the ball is the ball game and protecting the ball, making smart decisions is critical. And now you gotta go out and do it in the game as well.”
He contradicts himself constantly just yesterday he said it was far from settled. It’s not rocket science we all knew Eli earned it Saturday. I don’t understand his thought process here.
You might want to learn to read. No contradictions. He did exactly what he said he was going to do.
Any reason why #22 JAnglin did not get much field time? He was Kentucky spring ballgame standout before transferring. That last guy who transferred from Kentucky as CB played well in Backyard Brawl in his 2nd year at Pitt.
Good question, also Where is Elliote Donald, is he still on the team?
I think I read Donald was one of the many held out because of bumps and bruises. I wouldn’t read anything into it.
I want to see how the offense progresses against better talent each week; however, one option this year that wasn’t available last season is that we may be able to outscore our opponents. This could provide some valuable cover if the D stumbles a little. H2P!
QB1… 2 Live Jew.
Get the merchandise made.
What do you mean ? Live Jew ?
Eli looked really good overall. He got the ball out quickly with accuracy and he made some nice touch throws not usually seen by freshmen. Very positive debut. H2P. We have a QB
He did play well but a couple throws if they were against higher quality opponents likely would have been intercepted
Don’t remember who’s hands he blistered whether it was Johnson or Mumfield on a throw down the middle. Take a little off of it and TD.
Again, as long as coach stays out of actual decisions the better Pitt will be. Pitt may be pretty good this year in spite of him.
Started slow? Was perfect in the first quarter. To me that’s not starting slow. I must have been at a different game.