With Eli Holstein, Julian Dugger and true freshman Mason Heintschel under center coming into the spring, Pat Narduzzi and Kade Bell had a plan.
Unlike other programs around the country that attacked the transfer portal looking for a quarterback in this new age of college athletics, the Panthers stayed away.
"We thought we had three pretty good ones," Narduzzi said after seeing all three in action this afternoon at Acrisure Stadium as part of Pitt's annual Blue-Gold spring game. "So we were like, ‘Let’s invest these spring reps in those guys and then we’ll see where we are.’ "
While things are still shaping up after spring practices, one might think that there will surely be conversations surrounding the position come the start of fall practices in late July and early August. All three signal callers impressed at times, but there's also still plenty of room for growth for the most important position on the field.
Holstein commanded the Gold team's offense with David Lynch, while Heintschel and Dugger alternated for the Blue team, with Heintschel getting the starting duties. Holstein looked less than impressive compared to the beginning of the 2024 season before a series of injuries slowed his development and somewhat derailed the Panthers' 7-0 start.
The redshirt sophomore threw two interceptions, including one on his second pass of the game. However, as the game carried on he started to settle in and threw a two-yard touchdown pass to Cam Sapp on his team's final drive of the game. He completed 17 of his 33 pass attempts for 171 yards. In the first half, he completed just six of his 22 pass attempts for 39 yards.
"The first interception he threw on an RPO, he should’ve handed it off," Narduzzi said. "I think we had a big hole in there. He was solid, I think he finished better than he started but he was solid and it was good."
On Holstein's second interception, one that was severely under thrown while targeting Sapp on the right side of the end zone, Narduzzi said: "Eli didn’t step into that one like he should. Again worried about the pass rush a little bit. Wasn’t a great pass but it was a great catch by him (Harrison)."
Heintschel was efficient early on for the Blue team, completing six of his first seven pass attempts for 35 yards before finishing the game 8-of-11 for 114 yards and a touchdown. His lone touchdown pass came on the first play of the second half when he hit Cataurus "Blue" Hicks across the middle for a 65-yard score.
Outside of that, Heintschel showed patience, worked through his reads and was able to get the ball out quick while being decisive with his passes. He made a few very good throws and didn't seem too nervous about playing in a big stadium for the first time.
"As a freshman, he is nice," Hicks said afterward.
For it being his first action in a game setting, Narduzzi was also impressed by Heintschel, who enrolled early this spring to try and get a step ahead for fall practices.
"He’s a good football player," Narduzzi said. "He’s got a little swagger to him, and he threw the ball well. He had a nice RPO and saw that Blue could run. "
Dugger and Heintschel shared the field for one play this afternoon -- a pitch to Dugger who threw it to Zion Fowler-El for a decent gain -- but Dugger showed exactly what he did during Pitt's bowl appearance in Detroit the day after Christmas. He completed seven of his 12 pass attempts for 37 yards and also rushed four times for 13 yards. He's continuing to improve and has left the Pitt coaching staff feeling confident with what they have under center.
"We have three guys that we think we can win a football game with. I mean, all three of those guys," Narduzzi said. "For Mason to come in as a true freshman and play like he has is impressive. We’ve talked about Julian all throughout spring ball, but he’s improved. We didn’t really get to see him run the ball today based on the play calling, but he can really run the ball. I don't know if he threw it particularly well today but he’s thrown it a lot better, so we have a lot of faith in all three of those guys."
Only so much can be taken away from a game when there isn't any tackling and plays were often blown dead before players could make extended contact. But, there were glimpses of what this group could do. There were also examples of what they need to improve on. But, in the eyes of the Pitt coaching staff, their investment is paying off.
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THE ASYLUM
Greg Macafee
8:59 pm - 04.12.2025NORTH SHORENarduzzi showcases confidence in QB investment
With Eli Holstein, Julian Dugger and true freshman Mason Heintschel under center coming into the spring, Pat Narduzzi and Kade Bell had a plan.
Unlike other programs around the country that attacked the transfer portal looking for a quarterback in this new age of college athletics, the Panthers stayed away.
"We thought we had three pretty good ones," Narduzzi said after seeing all three in action this afternoon at Acrisure Stadium as part of Pitt's annual Blue-Gold spring game. "So we were like, ‘Let’s invest these spring reps in those guys and then we’ll see where we are.’ "
While things are still shaping up after spring practices, one might think that there will surely be conversations surrounding the position come the start of fall practices in late July and early August. All three signal callers impressed at times, but there's also still plenty of room for growth for the most important position on the field.
Holstein commanded the Gold team's offense with David Lynch, while Heintschel and Dugger alternated for the Blue team, with Heintschel getting the starting duties. Holstein looked less than impressive compared to the beginning of the 2024 season before a series of injuries slowed his development and somewhat derailed the Panthers' 7-0 start.
The redshirt sophomore threw two interceptions, including one on his second pass of the game. However, as the game carried on he started to settle in and threw a two-yard touchdown pass to Cam Sapp on his team's final drive of the game. He completed 17 of his 33 pass attempts for 171 yards. In the first half, he completed just six of his 22 pass attempts for 39 yards.
"The first interception he threw on an RPO, he should’ve handed it off," Narduzzi said. "I think we had a big hole in there. He was solid, I think he finished better than he started but he was solid and it was good."
On Holstein's second interception, one that was severely under thrown while targeting Sapp on the right side of the end zone, Narduzzi said: "Eli didn’t step into that one like he should. Again worried about the pass rush a little bit. Wasn’t a great pass but it was a great catch by him (Harrison)."
Heintschel was efficient early on for the Blue team, completing six of his first seven pass attempts for 35 yards before finishing the game 8-of-11 for 114 yards and a touchdown. His lone touchdown pass came on the first play of the second half when he hit Cataurus "Blue" Hicks across the middle for a 65-yard score.
Outside of that, Heintschel showed patience, worked through his reads and was able to get the ball out quick while being decisive with his passes. He made a few very good throws and didn't seem too nervous about playing in a big stadium for the first time.
"As a freshman, he is nice," Hicks said afterward.
For it being his first action in a game setting, Narduzzi was also impressed by Heintschel, who enrolled early this spring to try and get a step ahead for fall practices.
"He’s a good football player," Narduzzi said. "He’s got a little swagger to him, and he threw the ball well. He had a nice RPO and saw that Blue could run. "
Dugger and Heintschel shared the field for one play this afternoon -- a pitch to Dugger who threw it to Zion Fowler-El for a decent gain -- but Dugger showed exactly what he did during Pitt's bowl appearance in Detroit the day after Christmas. He completed seven of his 12 pass attempts for 37 yards and also rushed four times for 13 yards. He's continuing to improve and has left the Pitt coaching staff feeling confident with what they have under center.
"We have three guys that we think we can win a football game with. I mean, all three of those guys," Narduzzi said. "For Mason to come in as a true freshman and play like he has is impressive. We’ve talked about Julian all throughout spring ball, but he’s improved. We didn’t really get to see him run the ball today based on the play calling, but he can really run the ball. I don't know if he threw it particularly well today but he’s thrown it a lot better, so we have a lot of faith in all three of those guys."
Only so much can be taken away from a game when there isn't any tackling and plays were often blown dead before players could make extended contact. But, there were glimpses of what this group could do. There were also examples of what they need to improve on. But, in the eyes of the Pitt coaching staff, their investment is paying off.
Want to participate in our comments?
Want an ad-free experience?
Become a member, and enjoy premium benefits! Make your voice heard on the Steelers, Penguins and Pirates, and hear right back from tens of thousands of fellow Pittsburgh sports fans worldwide! Plus, access all our premium content, including Dejan Kovacevic columns, Friday Insider, daily Live Qs with the staff, more! And yeah, that's right, no ads at all!
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