Five Pitt Panthers that could give SMU fits
The No. 20-ranked SMU Mustangs welcome the undefeated Pitt Panthers to Gerald J. Ford Stadium on Saturday for a matchup that could have major ramifications in the overall conference picture.
While the Mustangs just barely held off the Duke Blue Devils in a road win that Rhett Lashlee described as “really frustrating,” the Panthers are riding high off of a blowout against Syracuse which featured three defensive scores.
Both teams shared some uncertainty regarding their starting quarterback situations. The Mustangs are playing the wait-and-see game on starter Kevin Jennings, though former starter-turned back-up QB Preston Stone is ready to jump into the fray. Jenning is expected to play though. On Wednesday, Pitt head coach Pat Narduzzi cleared starting Eli Holstein, who exited the Panthers’ win against Syracuse in the fourth quarter after suffering an undisclosed injury on a run play.
Along with their quarterback, the Panthers have several others who could give SMU fits on Saturday in Dallas. These are the players to know before kickoff.
QB Eli Holstein
Former Alabama quarterback Eli Holstein has led the Panthers to their 7-0 start. The team is 7-0 for the first time since 1982 and they’re enjoying the No. 18 ranking that’s come with it.
Holstein has a 64.2% completion rate so far this season with 17 passing touchdowns and just five interceptions. The frequent runner has also tallied 286 rushing yards and three more scores for the Panthers through seven games. Holstein was cleared to play Saturday, but if for some reason he is out, the team will turn to junior back-up QB Nate Yarnell. Yarnell has seen action in three games so far this season, tallying two touchdowns on 17 completions. Holstein though has been a big addition for this Pitt offense since taking over as the starter.
RB Desmond Reid
The Pitt Panthers offense would be incomplete without running back Desmond Reid, who serves in multiple roles on gameday. He’s the team’s leading rusher with 541 yards and three rushing touchdowns on 89 carries. However, he’s also the team’s second-leading receiver. He’s posted 341 yards and four more scores on 25 receptions through seven games.
WR Raphael Williams Jr.
Veteran receiver Raphael Williams is not the team’s leading receiver – that’s Konata Mumpfield – with just 248 yards on 20 catches. However, he is Holstein’s go-to man in scoring territory. The 5-foot-10 Florida native has five receiving touchdowns, including the one he scored against Syracuse last week.
LB Kyle Louis
The Pitt defense is anchored in the middle by “the Sharks,” a.k.a. their trio of fearsome linebackers. Leading the group is Kyle Louis with 60 tackles, three interceptions, three sacks and a forced fumble so far this season. Louis added to his resume last week with a pick-six that he took 59 yards to the house.
“We pride ourselves on being called ‘The Sharks,’” Louis said last week. “If you come in here, you better learn how to swim.”
DL Jimmy Scott
Second-year Pitt defensive lineman Jimmy Scott is tied for the lead on the team with four sacks this season. He has also tallied 16 tackles, with 10 solo tackles, and two passes defensed. The Panthers defense has a total of 22 sacks this year, with another four from linebacker Rasheem Biles. Pitt ranks 11th in the nation in sacks per game at 3.14.
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