Pittsburgh coach Pat Narduzzi is being cautious about discussing quarterback Eli Holstein.
Holstein, a redshirt freshman who transferred from Alabama, left in the fourth quarter of a 41-13 win over Syracuse last week due to an unspecified injury. He got hurt while completing a quarterback option run when the unbeaten Panthers (7-0, 3-0 ACC) were comfortably ahead. Pitt is set to play No. 20 SMU (7-1, 4-0) on Saturday.
Narduzzi mentioned right after the game against Syracuse that Holstein was fine, comparing the situation to having dirt in his eye. He typically avoids talking about player injuries, and when asked about Holstein’s status on Monday, he was not very clear.
“It’s a wait-and-see, we’ll see,” Narduzzi said, adding “that’s his deal.”
Holstein went 11 of 15 for 108 yards and two touchdowns against Syracuse, as Pitt’s defense helped secure the program’s first 7-0 start since 1982 with three pick-6s.
Narduzzi also said that backup quarterback Nate Yarnell will practice with the first team, but this is not unusual.
Pitt’s offense has slowed down a bit during conference play, averaging 338 yards in three ACC games. In contrast, they averaged 522 yards in nonconference victories against Kent State, Cincinnati, West Virginia, and Youngstown State.
