Although Eli Holstein has over a month to recover, he will not be on the field today. QB1 will now be out for the final game of the fall Pittsburgh.

According to Bill Hillgrove’s report, Holstein will not be available for the game against him this afternoon Toledo at the GameAbove Sports Bowl. That means David Lynch, a walk-on finishing his redshirt freshman season, will be the starting quarterback for the Panthers in Detroit.

This came after Holstein was injured during a sack in a loss Louisville – the team’s worst result of the season at 37-9 – on November 23rd. He was carried off the field with a leg injury when he was placed in an air cast, and he also had to use crutches that day. Nate Yarnell, who is now in the transfer portal, then had to start the regular season finale with a loss Boston College.

Despite missing two games and dealing with several other injuries, Holstein, a redshirt freshman, had a good year in his first season as a collegiate starter and at Pitt. He had a record of 180-291 (61.9%) for 2,225 yards, 17 touchdowns and seven interceptions this fall.

Holstein, despite being more mobile early in the season, also rushed for 328 yards and a touchdown. These were the first moments for Holstein, a former four-star and top-10 QB prospect in 2023, in college after transferring there last offseason Alabama.

Lynch (66.7% completion for 46 yards and one pick) appeared in two games this season. Now he will make his first collegiate start today in place of Holstein in the bowl game.