If Pitt quarterback Eli Holstein can't achieve his desired perfect game, his best efforts still look good
Many thoughts raced through Eli Holstein's head after he led Pitt to its fourth consecutive victory, a 73-17 humiliation of Youngstown State.
He was proud to be part of Pitt's undefeated nonconference season and the program's first 4-0 start in 24 years. Pitt has played in a conference since 1993 and never was unbeaten out of it until this year.
He was relieved that the offense finally reached its ambitious weekly goals – about 70 points (73) and 600 or 700 yards of total offense (644) per game. Yes, he insisted with a straight face, those are the goals.
"That was the first time we put a four-quarter game together," he said.
And one more thought: Holstein's 66.7% completion percentage (16 of 24) against the Penguins? Not good enough. He's pushing for 70%, he said.
Holstein left the field at Acrisure Stadium on Saturday with some impressive season-long numbers. He's completed 87 of 129 attempts (67.4%) for 1,186 yards (third in the ACC), 12 touchdowns (second) and two interceptions. He's rushed for 265 yards (189 if you subtract yardage lost while being sacked).
Putting that 49-yard run on video will alert future opponents to pay attention when Holstein inserts his 6-foot-4, 225-pound body into the run game.
"One more guy (watching) for me is one less guy the receivers have to worry about," he said.
Incidentally, he blamed himself for the one sack Saturday that cost him 17 yards. Accountability goes a long way with teammates.
All of that was good and, perhaps, even an indication of what Pitt might be able to accomplish when the ACC schedule begins Oct. 5 at North Carolina. But first on Holstein's mind after the YSU game were two negative sequences:
• The three-and-out in the third quarter, Pitt's only one of the game.
• Being forced to settle for Ben Sauls' 49-yard field goal on the next possession. "I tell him, 'You're not supposed to be kicking field goals. You're supposed to be kicking PATs,' " Holstein said.
"We still left some points out there."
Coach Pat Narduzzi was pleased with the outcome, but moreso that his quarterback is far from satisfied.
"You've got to love a quarterback that's critical of himself," he said. "He's not thinking he's all special and done everything the right way. That's what you want."
Narduzzi correctly pointed out that his team did precisely what is expected. (He didn't mention the huge talent gap between Pitt and YSU, but it is considerable and was reflected in the final score.)
"We did what we should do," he said.
Of course, those two touchdown passes against his defense — 25 and 44 yards – still bother him. Finally, the run defense was solid, allowing an average of only 1.9 yards per carry.
The leading tacklers were linebackers Brandon George, Rasheem Biles and Kyle Louis, who added his second interception of the season and forced a fumble.
Louis said he understands basic execution of the defense is the first aim, but he said they want more. "We want to go get that ball. We want to make a difference," he said. "We're not here just to do our job."
So much has occurred in the first four weeks of Pitt's season that it's easy to forget that none of it matters – except in the matter of confidence building – in the race for the top two spots in the ACC.
Pitt will be off next Saturday after spending the upcoming days trying to clean up some issues without the shadow of a game at the end of the week.
"We have to keep preparing, keep doing the little things right," Holstein said. "Next week is going to be a big mental week for us, not so much physically."
The trick will be to maintain the momentum of a 4-0 start and a 73-point effort. North Carolina allowed 70 in a loss to James Madison on Saturday, and the Tar Heels must visit Duke on Saturday while Pitt takes the day off. Duke, Miami, Louisville and Pitt are the only undefeated teams in the ACC.
Advantage, Pitt.
But Pitt is 0-7 all-time in Chapel Hill.
Advantage, Tar Heels.
In any event, time to nurse some injuries will be welcome.
Did you notice? Running back Desmond Reid, probably Pitt's most productive player on offense, didn't play a snap against YSU. He also was off the field for the decisive drive against WVU last week. All indications are that Reid will return to the backfield next week.
"He could have probably played if we wanted him to," Narduzzi said, "and if we needed him."
