PITTSBURGH — Eli Holstein left the win against Syracuse early in the fourth quarter with an apparent injury, but Pat Narduzzi said that Holstein will be fine.
Narduzzi said that Holstein, who left the game and went into the medical tent on the sideline before exiting to the locker room, was held out of the remainder of the fourth quarter out of precaution.
Narduzzi said that Holstein was happy and smiling in the locker room following the 41-13 win against ‘Cuse.
“Eli is going to be fine,” Narduzzi said after the game. “He’s in there smiling, happy, jumping around. So, we’ll be fine. Just added precaution. Kept him out. At first, we just thought he had dirt in his eye. It was a little bit more than dirt, but he’s fine and happy.”
Holstein took off on first-and-10 early in the fourth quarter, picking up 13 yards and a first down, but he went down hard as he was tackled on the sideline. He appeared to hit his head as he was tackled by ‘Cuse linebacker Justin Barro but walked to the medical tent under his own power.
Holstein left the game, went into the injury tent and left for the locker room upon exiting the tent.
Holstein completed 11-of-15 pass attempts for 108 yards and two touchdowns, adding 20 yards on the ground, before he left the game. Pitt led 31-6 upon his exit, scoring three defensive touchdowns via pick-sixes. Nate Yarnell entered in relief of Holstein, getting the Panthers in range for a 57-yard field goal by Ben Sauls.
Holstein has completed 138-of-215 pass attempts (64%) for 1,808 yards with 17 touchdowns and five interceptions, adding 286 yards (4.8 yards per carry) and three touchdowns on the ground, this season.
Pitt has a major test against No. 22 SMU next weekend in Dallas, Texas, and it appears that Holstein will be good to go against the Mustangs.