Pitt Teammates, Coaches Praise Phil Jurkovec's Bounce Back
PITTSBURGH -- Pitt Panthers quarterback Phil Jurkovec played some of the worst football of his college career in Weeks 2 and 3 of the 2023 season and was one of, if not the biggest reasons why the Panthers fell to 1-2 before ACC play started.
He was booed when the starting lineups flashed across the Acrisure Stadium jumbotron prior to kickoff of Pitt's conference opener against North Carolina and then proceeded to turn in the best half he's played in blue and gold, completing 11 of 15 passes for 109 yards and leading two touchdown drives before a hit late in the first half that was eventually ruled for targetting knocked him out of the game.
“I thought Phil really played well in the first half and made a lot of plays," head coach Pat Narduzzi said. “Wish he would have gotten four quarters."
For weeks, Narduzzi, the rest of the coaching staff and his teammates have defended Jurkovec and supported him publicly. Against North Carolina, he validated their belief in him. He was accurate, effective with his legs and avoided the blunders that had cursed him against Cincinnati and West Virginia.
“I love Phil," super senior defensive tackle David Green said. "He was a great addition when he first joined us and I talked to him last week and I told him ‘Phil, we believe in you. With everything that’s going on, don’t lose hope, don’t lose faith in yourself. Keep that confidence.’ We definitely believe in him. He showed out in that first half.”
The only thing the Panthers wish they could change about his night is make it last a little longer. Jurkovec had to be pulled before the first half was even officially over, leaving Pitt to wonder if they might have had a better shot at pulling the upset with him in there.
“His effort was phenomenal today," starting right guard Blake Zubovic said. "I thought Phil played a really good first half. Absolutely tragic what happened to him. I know all the guys were really fired up about that. I think Phil’s mental is really good. ... Phil’s a fighter. He’s a tough kid. I have no idea what his timetable is like. I have no idea what the injury is but I know he’s going to do everything he can to get back on the field with us.”
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