It appears that Eli Holstein will remain Pitt’s starting quarterback Saturday when the Panthers host Boston College in an Atlantic Coast Conference matchup.
Holstein was benched for Cole Gonzales in the fourth quarter of last week’s 34-27 loss to Louisville. Holstein completed 14 of 26 passes for 228 yards with two touchdowns and two second-half interceptions.
Holstein has been intercepted five times in four games this season. Two of those picks were in the end zone.
“We’re going to watch practice, get better and see where it goes,” Pitt coach Pat Narduzzi said Monday. ” … Right now, Eli is our starting quarterback.”
Pitt (2-2, 0-1 ACC) held leads of 17-0 and 27-17 against the Cardinals but failed to score in the second half. Gonzales, a transfer from Western Carolina who spent the spring at Oklahoma before quickly leaving, completed 3 of 6 passes for 31 yards and was intercepted on Pitt’s final drive.
“He did a good job like we thought he would,” Narduzzi said. “Obviously, he didn’t create a comeback. That’s what we were looking for a spark and we didn’t get that. But Cole did a nice job.”
Boston College (1-3, 0-2) is coming off a 28-24 loss to Cal and will be trying to end a three-game losing streak.
The Eagles received a career-high 171 rushing yards from Turbo Richard in the loss to Cal. Richard is averaging 5.7 yards per carry on 58 rushing attempts this season and has scored six touchdowns (four rushing, two receiving).
“We’ve been competitive,” Boston College coach Bill O’Brien said after Tuesday’s practice. ” … It really comes down to five or six plays in each phase of the game. You either make those plays or the other team makes them.
” … So we have to be more consistent. Right now it’s a little bit too inconsistent and that’s where it has to change.”
Pitt linebacker Rasheem Biles leads the ACC in tackles per game (10.5) and tackles for loss per game (1.8).
The Panthers hold a narrow 18-16 lead in the all-time series. The Eagles won 34-23 last season in Chestnut Hill, Mass.
