PITTSBURGH (93.7 The Fan) – With injuries and Nate Yarnell transferring, who will be the Pitt quarterback for the bowl game in Detroit? Panthers head coach Pat Narduzzi did not rule out Eli Holstein playing.
“Well we are hoping, I went to church 7:30 on Sunday morning,” Narduzzi said on a Zoom call with reporters. “I pray every morning when I’m driving to work. We’re hoping. I think there is a good shot. I’m not doctor. I would imagine on the 26th we are going to be a heck of a lot healthier than we were coming out of that BC game.”
While not confirming Holstein will play, he did say in his own way he’s feeling fine. Narduzzi did confirm walk-on David Lynch would be the back-up quarterback for the GameAboveSports Bowl December 26 in Detroit. Narduzzi said Lynch is a leader who is smart and works for everything he gets.
Narduzzi said his team has been banged up since the Cal game. He said this is likely the most injured team he’s been around at Pitt. The ones who are healthy, he expects a high opt-in rate.
“I feel pretty good that we are going to have 90% of our seniors play in this game, which was not the case the last time we played in the Sun Bowl,” Narduzzi said. “Regardless of who plays in this game, it’s an opportunity for that next guy to step up and go. Whether it’s an injury or not an injury. Our guys will be ready. I feel pretty confident that a majority, if not every one of them, will play in this ballgame.”
Narduzzi noted the bowl game allows him to play freshman an extra fifth-game. He said it’s important and needed for the young players to have that experience, adding allowing this as a ‘free game’ for eligibility is one of the few great things that has happened in the NCAA in the last five years.
No bad bowls
Calling himself old school, he said he’s never been to a bad bowl game.
“I’m always looking forward, not looking backwards,” Narduzzi said. “We played some really good football teams in some really tight games. The regular season is over. Every win matters. The most important thing is to get as healthy as you can and go out and play the best football game we can. Every win is important, this is no more or less than the last game we played in November.”
He tells his team that the accommodations and people in Detroit are phenomenal. It’s also one of the best football facilities in the nation at Ford Field, the home of the Lions.
“I think there is a lot of regional bowling going on across the country,” Narduzzi said. “It’s telling the guys the pluses. As a football coach, all I care about is football. I don’t care what bars are in the City of Detroit.”
“People are still talking about Pitt football. In general, the Pitt faithful are excited about where we are going. We have a young football team and a talented football team with more to come. We are excited about it and I think the fans are excited.”