While Pitt’s opponent on opening weekend didn’t garner much excitement for the start of the 2024 season, the wholesale changes the Panthers underwent this offseason certainly did. There’s a new offensive coordinator, a slew of new coaches, nine first-time starters on defense and, most notably, a brand-new quarterback.
It was an encouraging day for the home team, which topped Kent State 55-24, and the many debuts that Pitt enjoyed on Saturday were fun. But there’s a tougher road ahead of them that will demand they make some improvements quickly.
Here are five takeaways from Saturday’s game:
Pitt made the right choice at quarterback
Pitt’s quarterback competition seemed settled early, then got serious in a hurry, and after a Week 1 win over Kent State, Eli Holstein has put a stranglehold on his post as the Panthers starter.
Holstein completed his first seven passes and ended his collegiate debut having completed 30 of 40 passes (75%) for 336 yards, three touchdowns and an interception. He closed the book on Pitt’s quarterback competition with his fifth pass of the afternoon when he lofted a 46-yard pass over the shoulder of Kenny Johnson, who hauled it in and set up a touchdown to cap the opening drive.
“It was a moment where I was like, ‘Hey, I’m in college football and I can play. I can do this,’ ” Holstein said. “It was just a lot of fun being able to get the ball to those guys and let them go make plays. ... We trusted each other a lot on that drive.”
Holstein showed his youth at times, like in the second quarter when he misjudged the Kent State coverage and threw a pass off his back foot that was easily intercepted, but it was the first live game action of his career. Some growing pains should be expected. But his passing performance against the Golden Flashes offers a glimpse into his tantalizing upside.
Reid proves he’s ready for the big leagues
Desmond Reid is one of three transfers new offensive coordinator Kade Bell brought with him from Western Carolina, and at 5-foot-8 and 175 pounds, whether Reid could hack it at the highest level of college football was a valid question. Consider that question answered emphatically. Reid totaled 231 all-purpose yards in his Pitt debut and scored a pair of touchdowns as a versatile threat on offense and special teams.
Players and coaches have raved about his toughness and speed, and Reid put it all on display against the Golden Flashes. And while those who haven’t watched Reid play before might have been surprised by his breakout game, his teammates weren’t.
“When I handed that ball off on the long touchdown run, I knew he was gone,” Holstein said of Reid’s 46-yard touchdown run in the second half. “Me and Branson Taylor, we hugged and waved goodbye to Des because we knew he was going to score.”
Playing fast, scoring faster
Bell hit the ground running in his debut with the Panthers. His offense looked as good as advertised — moving as fast as you will ever see a college offense move and logging six offensive touchdowns. The 55 points scored Saturday afternoon represent the most a Pitt team has scored in almost two years.
Holstein was efficient and completed passes to eight different receivers, Panthers running backs rushed for more than 200 yards, and the unit scored five times on six red zone opportunities.
The offense has been a subject of extreme anxiety among Pitt fans, who saw the 2022 and 2023 teams limited by a lack of scoring. But even taking into account the quality of the opponent, this unit already looks like a marked improvement over its most recent iterations.
Offensive line survives uneven day
When Pitt’s offense was held back, the offensive line was a major reason why. Especially early on, the Panthers didn’t dominate in the trenches like you would hope they would against an opponent from the MAC. On one first-quarter drive in particular, they allowed consecutive sacks that forced the Panthers to punt.
All told, Holstein was sacked three times in little more than three quarters’ worth of play. Keeping their new star quarterback clean should be the biggest priority for this team moving forward. As the competition levels up starting next week with a trip to Cincinnati to battle the Bearcats, Pitt will need better play from its men up front.
Big play issues
Pitt is still in the process of breaking in nine new starters on defense, and the result of all that turnover was a rocky start against Kent State.
The final statistics look good. The Panthers only allowed 220 total yards, 39 of which came on the ground. They forced a pair of turnovers, but there were concerning moments of sloppy play that will cost them points and wins down the road when the level of competition is raised.
Pitt committed five defensive penalties, including three in the first quarter alone, and gave up three pass plays of more than 25 yards, with another 64-yard play fortunately called back because of offsetting penalties. Narduzzi was particularly upset with how his unit came out of the halftime locker room and suggested it was due to a lack of focus.
“Just execution and details,” he said. “I don't know what they came out in the second half as, but I'll get on the defensive coaches. Starts with us as coaches. Make sure their minds are right and they don't think the game's easy and it's in the bag.”
First Published: September 1, 2024, 9:30 a.m.
