The Pittsburgh Panthers once-promising season was derailed back in October. However, they looked to go out on a high note by defeating the Toledo Rockets in the GameAbove Sports Bowl to end their season.
All December long, the lead-up to the game against Toledo hinged on one thing: Starting QB Eli Holstein’s health and status for the matchup. On game day, their hopes were all but dashed.
Eli Holstein Injury Latest
Holstein was injured during Pittsburgh’s Week 13 matchup against Louisville, having just re-entered the starting lineup after missing the Panthers’ previous game against Clemson just seven days prior. After injuring his knee on a sack by Louisville’s Ashton Gillotte, Holstein was seen leaving the field with an air cast on his leg.
However, in the lead-up to Pitt’s game against Toledo in the GameAbove Sports Bowl, head coach Pat Narduzzi remarked that Holstein may have been able to play and was likely a game-time decision.
MORE: Pittsburgh vs. Toledo Prediction
Hours before the game, though, it was revealed that Holstein would not be able to play. Holstein is set to miss the game against Toledo and the Panthers are now set to take the field with walk-on QB David Lynch at the helm.
Backup QBs Ty Diffenbach and Nate Yarnell, the latter of whom played the majority of the snaps in place of Holstein this year, have entered the transfer portal and are set to miss the game against Toledo as well.
Lynch has thrown just nine passes in his college career.
What Happened to Eli Holstein?
Holstein was injured against Louisville, back in Week 13, when Gillotte rolled up on Holstein’s leg during a sack. Pitt’s QB immediately signaled for help on a sack that didn’t look too bad at first site.
— go to ➡️ collegefootballnetwork.com (@PickettsPool) December 26, 2024
But upon a second viewing, you could see the moment where Holstein’s leg was injured.
And see the severity.
— go to ➡️ collegefootballnetwork.com (@PickettsPool) December 26, 2024
Following the injury, Holstein was taken off the field with an air cast on his leg and he missed the next game against Boston College in the regular-season finale. Though he had hoped to play against Toledo, Holstein — who led Pitt to an undefeated 7-0 start — will miss his final game of the 2024 season following the leg injury.
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