Eli Holstein in his second college start on the road showed a lot. The first half he played about as poorly as he could have. Cincinnati came out in the 3 high safety look that makes a 3-3-5 defense tough to prepare for. The extra safety either fills in the box to create a traditional 7 man front to stop the run or he becomes a floater in the secondary to take away the over the top pass. They baited Eli and he threw the pick in the redzone. He took several drives to figure out where the 3rd safety would be.
However you could tell that it changed for Eli. The last drive of the first half he leads Pitt to a huge field goal. He ends the first half 7-17 for around 100 yards but had a pretty poor half overall he missed several big plays floated a few balls in to tight windows. Wasn’t trusting his eyes and was processing slow he was flustered. Coming off the field though watch his body language it never changed. He never doubted that he was going to make plays.
At halftime Eli admitted it was on him he tells everyone it’s on him and he responds the second half he phenomenal. You can tell by watching him that the game slowed down for him. But why?
Eli has the leadership factors you look for in a QB. He is over there interacting with his teammates admitting it was on him. He is tough he stands in the pocket and takes a hit or he leaves the pocket to gain yards and is not afraid to take a hit, That matters to his teammates a QB that is a leader gets guys to follow him and buy in to him being that guy. Pitt hasn’t had that since Pickett and for Eli to do that in his second start is huge. Also Eli made the adjustments at half time with Kade Bell took the coaching and didn’t lose his belief in himself and his abilities as Mike Tomlin would say he didn’t blink he stood in there and responded that is elite QB moxie that everyone looks for.
Also Eli telling Duzz it won’t happen again is interesting Duzz wouldn’t normally share that kind of comment with the media unless he really believes it and buys in to that most times kids say won’t happen again and admit they are playing wrong however Duzz believes in Eli and shows it by not even looking to make the move when everyone basically thought it would have been time. Eli responds by leading the largest second half comeback since October 9 1971 that’s a huge statement
However you could tell that it changed for Eli. The last drive of the first half he leads Pitt to a huge field goal. He ends the first half 7-17 for around 100 yards but had a pretty poor half overall he missed several big plays floated a few balls in to tight windows. Wasn’t trusting his eyes and was processing slow he was flustered. Coming off the field though watch his body language it never changed. He never doubted that he was going to make plays.
At halftime Eli admitted it was on him he tells everyone it’s on him and he responds the second half he phenomenal. You can tell by watching him that the game slowed down for him. But why?
Eli has the leadership factors you look for in a QB. He is over there interacting with his teammates admitting it was on him. He is tough he stands in the pocket and takes a hit or he leaves the pocket to gain yards and is not afraid to take a hit, That matters to his teammates a QB that is a leader gets guys to follow him and buy in to him being that guy. Pitt hasn’t had that since Pickett and for Eli to do that in his second start is huge. Also Eli made the adjustments at half time with Kade Bell took the coaching and didn’t lose his belief in himself and his abilities as Mike Tomlin would say he didn’t blink he stood in there and responded that is elite QB moxie that everyone looks for.
Also Eli telling Duzz it won’t happen again is interesting Duzz wouldn’t normally share that kind of comment with the media unless he really believes it and buys in to that most times kids say won’t happen again and admit they are playing wrong however Duzz believes in Eli and shows it by not even looking to make the move when everyone basically thought it would have been time. Eli responds by leading the largest second half comeback since October 9 1971 that’s a huge statement
