Eli Holstein posted some of the best numbers for a Pitt quarterback since Kenny Pickett was in the backfield, and it’s led to some conference recognition.
Holstein — a 6-foot-4, 225-pound redshirt freshman quarterback from Zachary, La. — has been named the ACC Rookie of the Week by the conference. The redshirt freshman did well enough to earn the starting job for the Panthers going forward.
“I think just composure I would say,” Narduzzi said Monday at his weekly presser. “You just look at how he just kind of was out there smooth. You don’t ever know how a guy is going to react. I don’t care if it’s a quarterback or a D-lineman. How are they as far as just his composure on game day, how he carried himself, how he led the offense, how there wasn’t a bunch of false starts and mechanical issues as far as just the operation. It was a clean start. That’s tough to do for a redshirt freshman.”
Holstein was listed alone atop the Week 2 depth chart, after entering the season as the co-starter with Nate Yarnell, but Narduzzi announced Holstein as the starter on Monday.
He earned the job after making his first collegiate start Saturday afternoon against Kent State and showcasing a level of quarterbacking that the Panthers have missed for a couple of seasons. I think he showed the Pitt coaching staff exactly what they wanted to see.
Holstein completed 30-of-40 pass attempts (75%) for 336 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.
Eli 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.
He will look to continue the momentum against Cincinnati this weekend, making the first road start of his college career at Nippert Stadium in Cincinnati.
