The Pitt Panthers have struggled to start the 2023 college football season, bringing a 1-2 record into Saturday’s home game against North Carolina.
Fresh off a loss to West Virginia in the Backyard Brawl, the Panthers have some questions that need to be answered. Among them is who will start at quarterback against the Tar Heels. And on Thursday, head coach Pat Narduzzi revealed that answer.
Narduzzi announced that the Panthers are sticking with Phil Jurkovec as the starter despite him throwing three interceptions in the loss to the Mountaineers last week. With that performance, the calls to bench Jerkovec got louder and louder but it appears as if Narduzzi isn’t ready to give up just yet.
Pat Narduzzi confirmed that Phil Jurkovec will start at quarterback Saturday night.
— Chris Peak (@PantherLair) September 21, 2023
Jurkovec has struggled so far this season, completing just 46.7 percent of his passes for 474 yards, 4 touchdowns, and 3 interceptions on the year.
Narduzzi also explained his decision to stick with the struggling quarterback.
‘Every year is different and every quarterback is different and I’m going to be patient with it,” Narduzzi said. “No one’s saying there isn’t going to be a change but I look at the whole picture. I see everything. … And I think I’m smart enough and we’ve done this long enough that I can make the right decision when the time is right.”
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