Pitt Panthers Name Nate Yarnell Starting QB vs. Boston College Amid Eli Holstein Injury

PITTSBURGH — The Pitt Panthers will start a new quarterback for their final regular season game in 2024 against Boston College. Redshirt junior Nate Yarnell will replace redshirt freshman Eli Holstein, who left last week’s game against Louisville with an injury.

Brett McMurphy from Action Network confirmed that Yarnell will make his fifth career start. Holstein suffered an injury after taking a sack during the game against Louisville. Medical staff treated him and applied an air cast to his left leg before taking him off the field on a cart. He returned to the sidelines but did not play further.

In that game, Yarnell completed 11 of 23 passes for 96 yards, one touchdown, one interception, and rushed for 12 yards. Walk-on redshirt freshman David Lynch finished the game for the Panthers in the last two drives, likely positioning him to be a backup if Holstein cannot play.

Head coach Pat Narduzzi noted that Holstein’s injury is not season-ending but did not confirm if he would play against Boston College. He could have a chance to return for the bowl game.

This was the third time this season that Holstein left a game early. He previously exited a game against Syracuse due to a hard hit and another game vs. Virginia after taking a hit that resulted in a targeting penalty on a Virginia player.

Despite struggles earlier in the season, Yarnell showed improvement. He completed 34 of 54 passes for 350 yards, one touchdown, and one interception against Clemson, putting him in a position to succeed against Boston College.

Holstein has completed 180 of 291 passes this season, with 2,228 yards, 17 touchdowns, and seven interceptions in ten games. He also ranks second on the team with 328 rushing yards.

Pitt aims to end a four-game losing streak against Boston College and finish the regular season with a win.