Pitt football notebook: Pat Narduzzi gauges depth at TE, QB, while K Trey Butkowski gains confidence

As the Pitt readies for the 108th Backyard Brawl on Saturday in Morgantown, coach Pat Narduzzi has learned more about the depth of his tight end room, kicker Trey Butkowski’s potential and his future at quarterback.

Next man up at TE

Starting tight end Jake Overman was absent last weekend against CMU for undisclosed reasons.

Malachi Thomas also was limited significantly during the game because of injury, leading Narduzzi to start Marshall transfer Justin Holmes.

Holmes went on to play the majority of snaps at tight end, recording a pair of catches for 25 yards.

He also caught his first collegiate touchdown pass in the second quarter, a 12-yarder from Eli Holstein.

For Holmes, it was a long time coming, as Saturday represented his 36th career college game, having played in 12 with the Thundering Herd last year and 21 at Kent State from 2022-23.

A tight end scoring a touchdown for Pitt was certainly a rare sight, but by game’s end, another had hauled in a score from Holstein: Josh Altsman, who joined the team in 2022 as a walk-on.

Altsman wasn’t even listed on Pitt’s two-deep heading into kickoff, yet he scored on a 2-yard pass in the second quarter less than five minutes after Holmes did.

Altsman finished with three catches for 31 yards.

Regardless of the status of Overman and Thomas moving forward, Narduzzi can feel better about the depth at the position.

“Justin Holmes is a starter,” Narduzzi said. “ … Holmes came in and took it over. Then Altsman comes in and gets a touchdown pass. That was impressive. When I was a tight end, I’d want to play in this offense. I’ll say it like that. Good to see Altsman and Holmes get involved. Eli, obviously, got to his tight ends, got it to who he’s supposed to get it to on those plays.”

Butkowski earning trust

That Butkowski, a walk-on true freshman, hit his first two field-goal tries in Week 1 against Duquesne was encouraging.

But both were from 27 yards.

On Saturday against Central Michigan, he got his chance at a longer attempt.

Late in the second quarter, Pitt failed to convert a third-and-18 from the CMU 38-yard line.

The best Holstein could do was gain 13 yards, zipping the ball to Zion Fowler-El, who was brought down at the 25.

In went Butkowski, with Narduzzi challenging him to hit a career-long 43-yard field goal.

Moments later, Butkowski delivered, staying perfect (3 for 3) in his young collegiate career.

But now, as Narduzzi noted, Butkowski must be ready to perform in the hostile environment of Milan Puskar Stadium, a test for any kicker.

“Every field goal, every extra point are all critical for a young guy,” Narduzzi said. “Really, the guy, he doesn’t flinch either. It’s impressive for a true freshman coming in and doing what he’s done so far. Knock on wood, now we got to take him on the road and see what he’s got in Morgantown.

“He’s just like this. No ups and downs with him at all. He’s steady. That’s what I love about him. There’s no getting too high or getting too low. He does things the right way. I love how he prepares.”

Heintschel debuts

Against Duquesne, Narduzzi got a look at backup quarterback Cole Gonzales, who relieved Holstein and led the Panthers on a late-game touchdown drive.

Narduzzi absorbed some flak afterward for running up the score when his victory over the Dukes was well in hand.

But Narduzzi defended himself by stating that his backup players have the right to play meaningful and competitive snaps, just as the starters do, regardless of a game’s score.

With about three minutes to play against Central Michigan and Pitt leading 38-17, Narduzzi opted to insert his third-string quarterback, true freshman Mason Heintschel.

Heintschel, making his college football debut, proceeded to lead the Panthers on an eight-play, 69-yard drive, capped by fellow true freshman Ja’Kyrian Turner scoring from 2 yards.

On the day, Heintschel completed 3 of 4 passes for 36 yards.

“He needs to get reps,” Narduzzi said. “He was very efficient. … But you look at a really sharp, young freshman coming in with poise. Didn’t see a rookie moment out of him really. Made good decisions. Got rid of the ball one time when he got pressured. You just see a guy that’s far beyond his years.”