PITTSBURGH (93.7 The Fan) – Pitt quarterback Nate Yarnell named the ACC Rookie of the Week for his role in the Panthers win at Western Michigan on Saturday.
Yarnell was only 9 of 12, but for 179 yards and a touchdown after finding out on Thursday he would start over Kedon Slovis, who the coaches decided to rest even though he had been cleared after an alleged concussion.
"He's controlling things," said Pitt Head Coach Pat Narduzzi on Monday. "Not only was he playing quarterback and taking snaps, he's making checks up there. He's making checks, he's changing runs, pass protections. We weren't just calling a play and saying just run it and not worry about anything else. He was operating and he had 100% decision-making."
"He made great decisions with what we asked him to do. That was impressive."
Narduzzi did not rule out the potential of Yarnell playing a series when Slovis gets healthy. It also appears to set up the redshirt freshman as the quarterback of the future. Slovis does have one more year of eligibility.
"I know we have a lot more faith in what Nate did on game day," Narduzzi said. "You can see him in practice, but when you see how a guy operates a game. We have another piece of the puzzle we may have to use at some other point in the season. It gives you another guy."
Panthers host Rhode Island Saturday at noon on 93.7 The Fan.
