Today, the Notre Dame football team needs to focus on Boise State. However, in a season where the Irish have to win every single game in order to make the playoffs, it pays to look ahead at what might be in the next few weeks. As of this morning, that includes taking on a Pitt Panthers team that has a new starting quarterback.
The Panthers are coming off two straight losses after entering the season hoping to be an ACC Title contender. The losses and the derailed season have led head coach Pat Narduzzi to yank the guy who has been Pitt's QB1 for two seasons.
Pitt makes bold quarterback switch weeks ahead of Notre Dame clash
Eli Holstein isn't taking snaps against Boston College. Instead, it's freshman Mason Heintschel. While there's no guarantee Heinstchel will be the starter when Pitt takes on Notre Dame on November 15, this kind of change doesn't usually happen unless it's for the long term.
Narduzzi might not have said it, but it appears he's ride or die with the new starter.
Narduzzi isn't happy with the job Holstein has done recently. He was pulled in the loss to Louisville, but senior Cole Gonzales replaced him. Granted, Gonzales didn't play all that well against the Cardinals either, completing 3-of-6 passes for 31 yards and an interception.
Holstein put up solid if unspectacular numbers in 2024, throwing for 2,225 yards and 17 touchdowns to just 7 interceptions. He also ran for 328 yards on 4.0 YPC and another 3 touchdowns. This year, he was off to a better start, already amassing 1,050 yards and 11 touchdowns to just 5 interceptions.
Of course, his numbers were starting to head in the wrong direction as the opposition got better. Against Louisville, he completed just 53.8% of his passes and threw two interceptions.
Now it appears Pitt believes a quarterback who has thrown just four passes in his college career is the answer against Boston College this week. He has a chance to prove he's the answer for the rest of the season, too. And he has a chance to prove he's the best option for Pitt when it takes on Notre Dame later this year.