Pitt coach Pat Narduzzi says quarterback Eli Holstein is medically cleared and expected to start against SMU on Saturday

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USATSI

Pitt quarterback Eli Holstein will return for a Top 25 showdown against No. 20 SMU on Saturday after leaving last week’s game against Syracuse with an undisclosed injury, coach Pat announced Narduzzi on his radio show Wednesday. Holstein was injured in the fourth quarter of the 41-13 win over Syracuse after a defender landed on him as he ran toward the sideline.

“Eli Holstein is ready to go and was cleared today,” Narduzzi said. “Eli Holstein is ready to go. That’s great news.”

The Alabama transfer has had a tremendous season so far. Holstein has thrown for 1,805 yards and 17 touchdowns to just five interceptions and No. 18 Pitt is off to its first 7-0 start since 1982. The Panthers are one of eight undefeated FBS teams remaining.

The Panthers won’t be the only team this weekend to get their starting quarterback back. SMU quarterback Kevin Jennings ‘getting ready to start’ this weekend’s clash against Pitt, he told CBS Sports’ Brandon Marcello. Jennings was injured last week in the fourth quarter of a 28-27 overtime win against Duke when a player’s helmet hit his leg in the fourth quarter.

Jennings, a sophomore from Dallas, has totaled 1,594 yards and 10 touchdowns with five interceptions in eight games. He is also the team’s second-leading rusher, averaging 40.1 yards per game.

Pitt currently ranks third in the ACC in offense (40.9 points per game) and fourth in yards per play (6.96), while SMU ranks fourth in offense (39.1 points per game) and fifth in yards per play (6.39). And while Rhett Lashlee’s team is having success on offense, no surprise given how SMU has performed under his leadership, Pitt’s renaissance has been tremendous, with new offensive coordinator Kade Bell at the head of a group that is posting its best numbers since. 2021 ACC Championship Season.

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