It’s not just freshmen who made their Pitt debuts over the weekend; 14 transfers played their first snaps as Panthers. And it’s safe to say those contributions fueled the season-opening victory.
Eli Holstein and Desmond Reid and Nate Matlack and Keye Thompson played a lot in their Pitt debuts, but guys like Tai Ray, Malachi Thomas and Tyreek Robinson earned a chance to see the field for the first time — in their first collegiate games.
When it comes to players who were already at Pitt before the offseason, eight players made their debuts. Five are true freshmen, two are second-year freshmen and one is a third-year sophomore — and also a walk-on.
Sincere Edwards is one of those true freshmen who made his college debut, and it was certainly a successful debut.
“You guys heard me all camp talk about how physical that dude is,” Pat Narduzzi said Saturday afternoon. “If you watch the tape or you just had your eyes on No. 90 out there, he’s physical, he’s aggressive. I thought he played really well for, again, another true freshman. You’re talking about a guy, went to the prom in March, April, and he’s playing fast like he is. It’s pretty impressive.
One of the plays that Edwards made, that wasn’t recorded on the stat sheet, was the pressure that forced an interception — a Ryland Gandy breakup that was grabbed out of the air by Donovan McMillon.
The Pitt newcomers (the freshmen and sophomores) were great. But it’s the transfer portal additions who led the way. Eli Holstein threw for the most yards since Kenny Pickett was the starter, Desmond Reid is currently sitting at third in the country in all-purpose yards and Poppi Williams and Censere Lee combined for 110 yards and two touchdowns.
There were transfer contributions all across the defense, too. At all three levels.
Collegiate Debut:
OL Ryan Carretta — two snaps
OL Tai Ray — two snaps
DT Thomas Aden — three snaps
TE Malachi Thomas — four snaps
WR Tyreek Robinson — nine snaps
DE Maverick Gracio — 10 snaps
DT Jahsear Whittington — 10 snaps; one tackle, 0.5 tackles for loss
DE Sincere Edwards — 20 snaps; four tackles (one solo), 1.5 tackles for loss
Pitt Debut:
S Josh McCarty — 14 snaps
DE David Ojiegbe — 10 snaps; one tackle
DT Anthony Johnson — 19 snaps; one tackle
DE Chief Borders — 19 snaps; two tackles, 0.5 tackles for loss and a half-sack.
CB Tamon Lynum — 23 snaps
LB Keye Thompson — 30 snaps; five tackles (one solo), 0.5 tackles for loss and a pass breakup
TE Jake Overman — 30 snaps; two receptions for 15 yards
WR Censere Lee — 38 snaps; six receptions for 72 yards
DT Nick James — 38 snaps; one tackle, one pass breakup
Nate Matlack — 40 snaps; one tackle, one tackle for loss and a sack
DE Desmond Reid — 51 snaps; 14 carries for 145 yards and a touchdown, 78-yard punt return touchdown
WR Poppi Williams — 64 snaps; four receptions for 31 yards and two touchdowns
QB Eli Holstein — 68 snaps; 30-of-40 for 336 yards with three touchdowns and an interception
OL Lyndon Cooper — 74 snaps
