After two head injuries in the past three games, Pitt quarterback Eli Holstein didn’t start Saturday when the Panthers met Clemson at Acrisure Stadium.
Nate Yarnell made his fourth career start — and first this season — in a make-or-break game for Pitt (7-2, 3-2 ACC) against the Tigers (7-2, 6-1). Clemson is No. 20 in the College Football Playoff rankings, No. 17 in the Associated Press Top 25.
Yarnell, a redshirt junior who made his first start for Pitt in a 34-13 victory at Western Michigan in 2022, was locked in a position battle that ultimately went to Holstein before the end of summer training camp. In three starts (including the last two games of 2023) and six backup appearances over three seasons, Yarnell has completed 71 of 110 passes for 909 yards, with nine touchdowns and three interceptions. In six games this season, he is 30 for 48 for 314 yards, five touchdowns and two interceptions — both last week in the loss to Virginia.
Yarnell will be matched Saturday against Clemson quarterback Cade Klubnik, a rival during their high school careers in Austin, Texas. Yarnell played at Lake Travis, Klubnik at Westlake.
Also, redshirt sophomore Jackson Brown will make his career start at right tackle.
