Eli Holstein is continuing to turn heads all around the country.
Holstein was named the ACC Quarterback and Newcomer of the Week, earned a spot on the Davey O’Brien ‘Great 8’ list and has now been named the Shaun Alexander Freshman of the Week for his efforts in a come-from-behind victory against West Virginia in the Backyard Brawl.
It’s an end-of-season award that is given annually to the most outstanding freshman player in college football, and given Holstein’s early season heroics, he should be one of the favorites through the one-quarter mark of the season.
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.
