Pitt's Holstein Named Alexander Award Player of the Week

© Barry Reeger-Imagn Images

With Week 3 in the books for the 2024 college football season, fans were thrilled with outstanding performances by players nationwide. One such player was freshman quarterback, Eli Holstein, for the Pitt Panthers (3-0). In Week 3, the Panthers took the field in their annual "Backyard Brawl" against the Mountaineers of West Virginia (1-2). The result was a thrilling 38-34 win by the Panthers to stay undefeated.

As a result, Holstein was named the Shaun Alexander Award Player of the Week on Sept. 17. He has been vital in the Panthers' turnaround from their 3-9 record a season ago. Against the Mountaineers, Holstein threw for 301 yards completing 21-of-30 passes and 3 touchdowns. He also added 59 yards rushing in the game.

Holstein's Hot Start

Holstein is off to one of the hottest starts in recent memory for the Panthers. He has thrown for at least 300 yards in each of the Panthers' wins this season. It was also his second game with at least a 70 percent completion rate. He's shown solid arm strength in delivering the ball to all areas of the field, averaging 9 yards per passing attempt on the season.

Currently, Holstein ranks fourth nationally in touchdown passes, ninth in passing yards (323 yards per game), and has led the Panthers to 19th nationally in total yards per game with 481. The native of Zachary, La., has done a masterful job of distributing the ball, utilizing 11 different receivers.

Holstein has been vital to the Panthers' first 3-0 start since 2020 and he's the first Pitt freshman to pass for 300 yards in three consecutive games. He's shown the fortitude to lead the offense for head coach Pat Narduzzi. They became the first team to overcome double-digit deficits in back-to-back weeks since Tulsa in 2020.

The Panthers next face the Youngstown State Penguins (1-2) on Sept. 21. It's clear that Eli Holstein has made this his team and the future is bright as Holstein continues to grow as a quarterback for the Panthers.

© Albert Cesare/The Enquirer/USA TODAY NETWORK

The Shaun Alexander Award

One of the Maxwell Football Club’s most prestigious awards, the Shaun Alexander Award is presented to the best freshman player in college football each year. Originally named the College Football Freshman Player of the Year Award, the award was established in 2019. The inaugural winner was quarterback Trevor Lawrence of Clemson, while former Alabama and current Ohio State defensive back Caleb Downs won the award in 2023.