PITTSBURGH (93.7 The Fan) – It was one big thing that Pitt lacked in Morgantown and many venues last year, a consistent offense. Two games into the overhaul to improve from 122nd in points scored, there are signs it’s turning in the right direction.
It’s not a finished product and for 40 minutes of the game in Cincinnati, the Panthers offense resembled some of the struggles of 2023. Maybe they found a spark in the 21-point comeback and have a couple of players new to FBS football they believe are difference-makers.
One is at the most important position, quarterback. In the 17-6 loss at WVU last September, Pitt threw for 81 yards with three interceptions. Redshirt freshman Eli Holstein has a pair of red zone interceptions this year, but he’s also bounced back. What also stood out to first-year offensive coordinator Kade Bell is his resilience.
“The one thing about Eli is he is very mature and poised,” Bell said. “Every time he came off the field (against Cincinnati) there was no worry. There was no blaming somebody else. He’s a leader. He takes responsibility.”
“Going into halftime, he goes ‘that first half on me’. He said I’m going to play a lot better in the second half. He literally told me that running off the field. That makes you confident with a guy who wants the ball in his hands. He’s not scared of that responsibility.”
Bell said Holstein not only said that to him, but to his teammates. He took blame for any and everything that went wrong with the offense, especially in those first two quarters last week.
A former quarterback himself, Bell said Holstein has a great feel for the pocket. He knows when to slide up and create running lanes for himself and they want him to use his feet more. What he does as much as anything is he stays ahead of the sticks. He knows the value of just getting a couple yards out of a busted play and not giving up a big loss.
Bell says Holstein is not a young project where he’ll be developed in two or three years. He believes you’ll see him at a top level this season, it’s about trusting what is called.
The game-changer
If you look at the West Virginia all-time rushing list, numbers three through five are Noel Devine, Steve Slaton and Amos Zereoue-they combined for 125 touchdowns from the line of scrimmage. They each averaged at least 5.4 yards per carry with Devin and Slaton at 5.9. They are all also 5’9” or shorter. This year though it’s Pitt with the undersized tailback making huge plays.
Western Carolina transfer Desmond Reid has 293 yards rushing in two games with another 117 through the air. The 5’8” tailback has three touchdowns including a 78-yard punt return. He’s the only Pitt player to ever had a 100-yard rushing game along with 100-yards receiving. But he doesn’t just run around or bye you, he’ll run through you.
“Speed matters, obviously you want guys that can run, but being tough, that’s what makes great players,” Bell said. “You can’t just be fast, this isn’t track. You got to play football. He’s a football player, not a fast guy.”
Bell first offered Reid when he was a sophomore in high school. It was his first college offer, but by his senior year he was rushing for 250 yards against a high school power house like St. Thomas Aquinas. Before Bell left Western Carolina, Reid had entered the portal and was going to attend a different university.
When Pat Narduzzi hired Bell, one of the first things Bell did was campaign to bring in his tailback.
“When I got the opportunity to sell him and say this is a guy that can help us here,” Bell said. “Not just as a player, but a guy who does things the right way.
“You talk about a guy who is unselfish. He never asks for the ball. He never complains. He’s always in here doing extra. He’s just my type of guy. I want guys that love football as much as me. I want guys that want to play in the NFL.”
“He just brings that type of mentality, that chip on your shoulder, prove yourself. He’s not scared to fail. That’s what I like about Des.”