TJ Chapman
Editor
Heading into a Thursday night home game against Syracuse on October 24, 2024, Pitt Panthers quarterback Eli Holstein was having a tremendous season. The redshirt freshman from Zachary, LA, led Pitt to a 6-0 record and No. 19 ranking in the AP Top 25 Poll.
During the Syracuse game, Holstein suffered an injury that would derail the Panthers for the remainder of the season. Pitt beat the Orange and moved up to No. 18 in the poll.
However, while Holstein played in three games the rest of the season, it was obvious he was fighting through the pain. The injury hampered his ability to run offensive coordinator Kade Bell’s offense as effectively as he did in the first six games. The Panthers ended the 2024 season on a 6-game losing streak.
Despite the injury, Holstein had an outstanding season, completing 61.9 percent of his passes for 2,228 yards with 17 TDs and 7 INTs. Holstein was the second leading rusher for Pitt with 328 yards and 3 TDs.
Now that Holstein is healthy, Pitt fans are looking forward to seeing the 6-0 version of Holstein in 2025. With All-American running back Desmond Reid also back, head coach Pat Narduzzi has a dynamic duo to lead his offense.
Some are predicting Pitt to have a good year. For that to happen, Holstein will need to stay healthy, consistent, and confident.
Many took notice of what Holstein did in 2024. His play last season has landed Holstein on a trio of preseason watchlists.
Holstein doesn’t lack confidence, both in himself and his teammates. While speaking with the media after a fall camp practice on August 5, Holstein was asked about the Panthers’ 2025 motto, EGK, “Everybody’s Gonna Know”.
“Everybody’s gonna know that Pitt’s here to stay,” Holstein said. “Pitt’s here to be a great program that they have been in the past. That 3-9 year was a fluke. Going 7-0, we want everybody to know that’s what we do, that’s the standard here. Some things happened where I ended up the season 0-6, but that’s the standard now, right?”
Reid doing what Reid does, offensive line depth, playmakers at the receiver position and a typical relentless Narduzzi defense can take Pitt to the top of the Atlantic Coast Conference. But that all starts with a healthy, consistent and confident Holstein. He also made it clear what Pitt’s goals are for the 2025 season.
“Everybody’s gonna know that Pitt’s gonna be a powerhouse in the ACC, fight for an ACC championship, fight for a College Football Playoff spot.”
Cody Slovensky
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TJ Chapman
Editor
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