Holstein winning awards again, Pitt gets votes in Top 25

PITTSBURGH (93.7 The Fan) – Hard to find anyone after a three-win season that would have thought under a freshman quarterback, Pitt would get national votes in the Top 25 poll after three games. Panthers also earn three weekly ACC awards including another for QB Eli Holstein.

The redshirt freshman once again led a big comeback, this time down 10 with under five minutes to play. Holstein threw for 301 yards and three touchdowns against West Virginia and named the ACC Quarterback of the Week along with winning every ACC Rookie of the Week award so far this season.

Holstein was also named to the Davey O’Brien Award (best quarterback in college football) ‘Great 8’ list as he ranks fourth nationally with nine touchdowns passes. The Alabama transfer is fifth in total offense, 345 yards, and ninth averaging 313 passing yards per game. The last Pitt quarterback to have three straight 300-yard games was a Heisman Trophy finalist (Kenny Pickett, 2021).

Sophomore linebacker Kyle Louis named the ACC Linebacker of the Week after 13 tackles and game-clinching interception. He also had a tackle for loss, pass breakup and quarterback hurry in the Backyard Brawl.

Two scouts representing the Jim Thorpe Award (best defensive back in college football) were at the Pitt-WVU game to evaluate Peters Township HS grad Donovan McMillon. He showed off with 13 tackles, a forced fumble and a pass breakup. In two career games against West Virginia, he’s made 31 tackles. He was named the ACC Defensive Back of the Week.

With the consecutive wins, at Cincinnati and against West Virginia, the Panthers garnered a vote in the Associated Press poll and 17 votes in the USA Today Coaches poll, which would be fifth highest in the ACC.