The Pitt Panthers are set to make a significant change at quarterback for their GameAbove Sports Bowl matchup against Toledo, as walk-on David Lynch earns his first career start. This decision stems from injuries sidelining redshirt freshman Eli Holstein, who has seen his season unravel due to multiple physical setbacks. The bowl game will take place today at Ford Field, Detroit, starting at 2 p.m.
Lynch, who hails from East Greenwich, Rhode Island, has had limited playing time this season, completing 6 of 9 passes for 46 yards and recording one interception during games against Louisville and Boston College. This new opportunity presents him with the chance to showcase his skills on a larger stage, especially as the team is down to its third-string quarterback.
The Panthers' situation worsened when Nate Yarnell, the backup quarterback who had stepped in during Holstein's absence, entered the transfer portal earlier this month. This left Lynch as the only available option to lead the team against Toledo. Holstein sustained his injuries starting with a hard hit against Syracuse, which forced Yarnell to take the reins temporarily. After struggling against then-ranked No. 20 SMU and enduring additional setbacks, including another injury following a sack from Louisville’s Ashton Gillotte, Holstein's playing time dwindled significantly.
Head coach Pat Narduzzi had initially hoped Holstein would recover well enough for the bowl game, noting, "We’re hoping. I went to church at 7:30 on Sunday morning; I pray every morning when I’m driving to work. So, we’re hoping. I think there’s a good shot. I’m no doctor — our trainers make the call — but I would assume on the 26th, we’re going to be a heckuva lot healthier than we were coming out of the BC game." Unfortunately, those hopes did not materialize, and Lynch was thrust under center as the season's finale approached.
During this tumultuous season for Holstein, he completed 180 of 291 pass attempts for 2,228 yards, resulting in 17 touchdowns and seven interceptions, showcasing potential as well as the ability to lead his team to several fourth-quarter comebacks earlier this season. Despite his promising start, injuries hindered his performance and prevented him from finishing the season strong.
After Holstein was carted off against Louisville, Lynch briefly took his place, playing the final two drives and completing 5 of 7 passes for 43 yards, though he did throw one interception. His previous performances indicate potential, as he was recognized as a three-sport standout at Bishop Hendricksen High School, leading his teams to impressive achievements before opting for a postgraduate year at IMG Academy, where he also excelled.
With Lynch stepping up, Pitt has also seen the promotion of freshman Julian Dugger to serve as his backup for the bowl game. This depth issue highlights the consequences of Holstein’s injuries and the transfers of Yarnell and redshirt freshman Ty Dieffenbach, leaving the Panthers with minimal quarterback options.
The atmosphere surrounding the game reflects the mixture of excitement and skepticism from fans. Some supporters have expressed doubt about the effectiveness of the team's decision to start Lynch. Comments from fans suggest frustration with the current quarterback dynamics, with one fan lamenting, "Why even play the bowl game? What a waste of time and money for the program and its fans. If the kid out of Penn Hills had any ability, they wouldn’t be playing a walk-on over him." Others echoed these sentiments, indicating dwindling patience as the program evaluates its recruitment strategy and the development of young quarterbacks.
From the outset of the GameAbove Sports Bowl, Lynch has the opportunity to flip the narrative surrounding his ascent and show what he can do on the field, regardless of the expectations or doubts weighing on him. Today’s performance will be more than just about winning; it’s about establishing hope for the future amid the challenges faced by the Panthers this season.
