Pitt's coach keeps QB Eli Holstein status unclear before SMU matchup

In a recent college football match held in the United States, the Pittsburgh Panthers achieved a significant victory against Syracuse, ending with a score of 41-13. This win marked the Panthers' first 7-0 start since 1982, driven largely by their defense, which recorded three pick-6 interceptions. However, quarterback Eli Holstein exited the game in the fourth quarter due to an undisclosed injury during a quarterback option run. Initially, coach Pat Narduzzi assured that Holstein was okay, comparing his condition to mere dirt in his eye. Despite this optimistic assessment, further inquiries about Holstein's health yielded vague responses. The coach described the situation as a 'wait-and-see,' indicating uncertainty about the quarterback's status ahead of their upcoming game against No. 20 SMU. In response to Holstein's potential absence, backup quarterback Nate Yarnell is expected to receive additional first-team practice reps. Throughout the past three ACC games, the Panthers’ offensive performance has shown a decline, averaging 338 yards, contrasting sharply with their earlier games where they averaged 522 yards in the nonconference schedule. This trend raises questions about the team’s ability to maintain its performance moving into the crucial part of the season.