PITTSBURGH (93. 7 The Fan) – There is no quarterback controversy. Eli Holstein is the starter, but there is another quarterback to watch during the Pitt Blue-Gold Game Saturday at Acrisure Stadium.
Redshirt freshman Julian Dugger didn’t get any run last year, until the bowl game. With Nate Yarnell transferring and Holstein hurt, Dugger got his shot in Detroit in the GameAboveSports Bowl. David Lynch started, but when Dugger got his opportunity, he didn’t let it go.
The Penn Hills star threw a pair of touchdowns going 7-13 for 72 yards and rushed for 88 yards (115 before the sacks) and another TD in a six-overtime loss to Toledo. That game has given him a confidence that he has carried with him.
“It taught me a lot,” Dugger said Tuesday. “Really showed me how to get prepared on a college level. I would say it’s a lot different than high school. There is a lot more with that. Showing next season what I can do better, be better than I was last year and try to improve on that.”
Dugger said he will come out of every practice focusing on something about his game. He will watch a lot more film than he had previously and he’ll do so with anybody from the offensive coordinator, teammates or just by himself.
“Julian has been really good,” said Pitt head coach Pat Narduzzi. “Julian has taken it to the next level. He is a totally different player, mentally and physically. I think he is studying the game more. That bowl game was great for him as far as just his confidence, going ok, I got it.”
“He’s really dedicated to it. I bet there is a world of difference of where he is mentally and where he is physically.”
There have been so many improvements, although he said there is much to continue to work on. The number one goal is to focus on not turning it over. Not that it has been a problem, but he knows the value of ball possession. Dugger also mentioned being better with his feet, faster at processing and being quicker getting throws off.
“At quarterback, every play is not perfect,” Dugger said. “When something breaks down or something is not how it’s not supposed to look. When you have the ability to get out of the pocket and make plays with your feet, it makes everything easier.”
He exploded for a 69-yard run on a read-option during the first spring intersquad scrimmage that Narduzzi refers to often. It apparently was breath-taking, as Dugger explained it, he made a few guys miss and took off down the sideline.
There is a stigma that goes with being a running quarterback and the lefty has been working hard at being a better passer. He watches tape of other quarterbacks. His favorite is Patrick Mahomes, but understands there are things that the Kansas City Pro Bowler does that no one else can do.
He wants you to see in the Blue-Gold Game that he’s a legit ACC quarterback. While he is some of the things in that bowl game, he’s even more.
“First, have fun, that would be the main goal,” Dugger said about playing in front of fans Saturday. “Showing how much I grew and being able to compete and just be out there with everybody. Showing how far I came from last year.”