Pitt Names Starting QB vs. Cincinnati

The Pitt Panthers named the starting quarterback vs. the Cincinnati Bearcats.

Aug 31, 2024; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Pittsburgh Panthers quarterback Eli Holstein (10) passes the ball against the Kent State Golden Flashes during the first quarter at Acrisure Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports / Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports

PITTSBURGH -- The Pitt Panthers named their starting quarterback vs. the Cincinnati Bearcats in redshirt freshman Eli Holstein.

Holstein won the starting battle over redshirt junior Nate Yarnell, who started the final two games of the 2023 season. Yarnell was the starter coming out of spring camp, but Holstein came back from a hamstring injury and earned that starting spot over Yarnell for the season opener.

Holstein completed 30-of-40 passes, 75.0%, for 336 yards and three touchdowns to one interception in the 55-24 blowout win over Kent State at Acrsiure Stadium in the season opener.

His first drive showed his true talents, as he completed all six of his passes for 90 yards and a touchdown. His best throws were a 46-yard completion to sophomore wide receiver Kenny Johnson near the goal line and then an 11-yard touchdown to senior wide receiver Konata Mumpfield.

Holstein's other touchdown throws saw him complete a seven-yard pass to redshirt junior wide receiver Raphael "Poppi" Williams Jr. in the second quarter and then to Johnson in the third quarter, both in the back of the end zone.

Gotta show some love for QB1🎯

Eli Holstein went 29-39 for 330 yards and threw 3 TDs today in his Pitt debut @Pitt_FB | @Pitt_ATHLETICS | @drpepper | #H2P pic.twitter.com/t4H4ZLY3Jl

— ACC Digital Network (@theACCDN) August 31, 2024

One person who was really impressed with his perfomance was Panthers head coach Pat Narduzzi, who praised his efforts post game.

"...Eli played really good, I think," Narduzzi said. "I was really happy with where he was. He had the one interception, kind of threw it off his heels, I think. We'll go back and look at what he did there. But overall, he got the ball out of his hands when he needed to. I think one series, we gave up two sacks in a row, which is disappointing. See if he needed to get rid of it or we had a protection problem. I think the corner came one time. Overall, 30 of 40 for, what, 300-plus yards, I would say he looked pretty darn good."

The performance is one that fans hope to see under new offensive coordinator Kade Bell, who is implementing a fast paced, up-tempo spread attack, that contrasts the NFL, slow, pro style offense of his predecessor, Frank Cignetti Jr.

Pitt only had three performances of more than 300 passing yards during Cignetti's two years in charge of the offense and after just one game of Bell, they're a third of the way there. 

Holstein hails from Zachary, La. and came out of high school as a four-star in the Class of 2023, committing to Alabama. He transferred to Pitt following the season, working in the spring and fighting for playing time in fall camp. 

He will face Cincinnati this weekend, looking to give Pitt a signature win and keep the momentum going in 2024.

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• Pitt Snap Count Vs. Kent State
• Kenny Pickett Booed at Pitt Season Opener
• Pitt Opens as Underdogs vs. Cincinnati
• Five Players Who Impressed in Pitt's Win
• Eli Holstein Gives Pitt Offense New Look

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