Eli Holstein is up for one of the most exclusive weekly awards in the country.
Holstein has been named to the Dave O’Brien Foundation’s Great 8, which was doubled to 16 this week because of some outstanding performances across the country. Holstein has officially been added to the Davey O’Brien Award midseason watchlist.
The Davey O’Brien National Quarterback of the Week will be announced Tuesday afternoon.
The Dave O’Brien Award is given annually to the player judged by the foundation to be the best quarterback in all of college football. Holstein was certainly one of the best quarterbacks in college football over the weekend, guiding Pitt to a massive win in the Backyard Brawl.
Holstein completed 21-of-30 pass attempts (70%) for 301 yards and three touchdowns — and led the Panthers with 59 hard-earned yards on the ground. But if you ask Holstein, he should yardage on the ground.
It was an incredible Backyard Brawl debut for Holstein, who was making just his third collegiate start, and he gave a lot of credit to his teammates and coaches.
“I got a lot of people that trust me and believed in me since I got here,” Holstein said after the game. “They talked about how much trust and belief that they have in me, that I’m going to be able to go out there and make the plays I need to make. They put me in a position to make those plays and I just gotta trust myself that I’m going to make those plays.”
Through three games this season, Holstein has completed 71-of-105 pass attempts (68%) for 939 yards with nine touchdowns and two interceptions, adding 96 additional yards on the ground.
He’s tied for third in the ACC in completions, third in passing yards and tied for second in passing touchdowns.
Eli Holstein will be back at it this weekend as Pitt hosts Youngstown State at Acrisure Stadium to conclude its non-conference slate — looking to go undefeated in conference play for the first time ever.
