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Although the Pitt Panthers rolled with just three scholarship quarterbacks through spring ball, Kade Bell was very pleased with the progress, maturity, and overall functionality of that trio.
In an April 10 press conference prior to the spring game, Coach Bell touched on the pros of Eli Holstein entering Year Two as opposed to battling the firehose of information a year earlier.
“It's huge,” Bell said in the presser available on YouTube. “It sucks the way the season ended with him out. He missed so much time, really, the last four games or something like that, and then missing the whole ball practice, he didn't get reps there and was having surgery and all that.
“For him to come back, man, and get cleared right before spring ball, he's still not...100 percent with trusting his ankle and his body. But just having him now mentally, where he understands what we're trying to get accomplished on the field, you know?
“He understands in the meetings, likenow, he's...answering the questions. Last year when he became the starter, basically the first week of the season, it was still a whirlwind for him, you know? He was just trying to do what I'm telling him to do, you know?
“Now he's starting to understand. By the time we get to the film room, he's like, 'Yeah, I know I did this...I know what you want me to do here.' He's starting to answer the questions. As a quarterback, when you can answer the questions before the OC tells you something, that means we're going to be in a lot better situation.”
The impact of having a healthy Holstein on Saturday's was plain to see last season.
The data makes it clear, too.
Through six games before Holstein’s string of injuries….
- Passing yards/game: 283
- Rushing yards/game: 175.5
- Total yards offense/game: 481
- Points/game: 40.8
Through the final seven games during Holstein’s injury issues….
- Passing yards/game: 233.6
- Rushing yards/game: 112.9
- Total yards offense/game: 346.4
- Points/game: 26.1
It'll be interesting to see what the Panthers can achieve offensively with Holstein back in the lineup with a fortified offensive line and a receiver room with added weapons through the transfer portal and a freshman receiver group that appeared to be more prepared for action than most anticipated.
More must-reads:
- Auburn makes massive decision regarding HC Hugh Freeze
- CFB Week 10 winners, losers: November opens with big showdowns
- The 'NFL Passing YPG leaders' quiz
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Nebraska QB Dylan Raiola out for season with a serious injury
Nebraska quarterback Dylan Raiola is done for the season after suffering a severe injury during Saturday’s game against USC. The Cornhuskers confirmed that Raiola will miss the rest of the season with a lower leg injury sustained during a 21-17 loss to the Trojans. ESPN’s Pete Thamel reported that Raiola actually suffered a broken fibula. Raiola suffered the injury on a sack during the third quarter. He was seen limping off the field after the game. Impressively, he fought unsuccessfully to remain in the game despite the injury, and coach Matt Rhule had to stop him from returning to the game for his own safety. Raiola has been playing a significant role in Nebraska’s revival under Rhule. The sophomore has thrown for 2,000 yards with 18 touchdowns and six interceptions on the season, and had the Cornhuskers at 6-2 prior to Saturday’s defeat. He was the top quarterback recruit in the 2024 class, and has not disappointed so far. True freshman TJ Lateef replaced Raiola during Saturday’s game and went 5-for-7 for seven yards as Nebraska played things very safe. He will likely be called upon for the remainder of the season with Raiola out.
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The 'NFL Passing YPG leaders' quiz
The Dallas Cowboys offense has been one of the most explosive units in the NFL this season, but they struggled in their 44-24 loss to the Denver Broncos in 8. Quarterback Dak Prescott threw for just 188 yards – his fewest since Week 1 against Philadelphia – finishing without a touchdown and two interceptions just one week after dicing up the Washington Commanders. The good news for the inconsistent Cowboys is that they’re 2-0-1 following a loss this season and their Week 9 opponent is the 2-5 Arizona Cardinals on "Monday Night Football." They’ll also be tasked with stopping Jacoby Brissett rather than Kyler Murray, who is recovering from a foot sprain and won’t start for Arizona but could get some action according to head coach Jonathan Gannon. Which brings us to today’s quiz. Prescott has been mostly brilliant for the Cowboys this season, throwing 16 touchdowns to five interceptions and 258.8 yards per game. He’s also one of 37 NFL players to average at least 230 passing yards per game through their career. With that being said, how many of those players can you name in five minutes? Good luck! Did you like this quiz? Are there any quizzes you’d like to see us make in the future? Let us know your thoughts at quizzes@yardbarker.com, and make sure to subscribe to our Quiz of the Day Newsletter for daily quizzes sent right to your email!
Steelers' Undrafted Free Agent Rookie Could Help Influence 2026 First-Round Decision
Even though the Pittsburgh Steelers have gotten quality quarterback play in 2025 with Aaron Rodgers, they still need to search for a future face of the franchise. Rodgers is almost 42 years old and close to retirement. Even if he does play another season, it will be good to have a first-round pick behind him to learn and develop in a way that even most coaches can't do. If Pittsburgh has to trade up to get a quality option, the front office has to stop delaying the inevitable and take a shot at a young gun. Just because Ke'Shawn Williams is an undrafted rookie for the Steelers, that doesn't mean that he can't help with a scouting report. After his final year in college, he worked with recent transfer Fernando Mendoza during offseason training, as well as Williams' Pro Day. He spoke with reporter Brian Batko about what he has seen in the Indiana Hoosiers' star. "It’s just his ability to do everything," Williams said. "He can make the throws, he’s very mobile, he has a lot of experience, very smart leader, a good person — all the intangible things you want out of a quarterback, somebody to come in and potentially lead your group...He’s got my vote, for sure." After transferring from the California Golden Bears to Indiana, Mendoza has lit the college world on fire. He currently leads the FBS in touchdown passes through eight games, and it's not like Indiana has had an easy schedule either. He has gone up against two Top 10 teams in the country and led the Hoosiers to victories in both contests, including a road upset against the Oregon Ducks. Indiana is now the #2 team in the country, only behind conference rival Ohio State Buckeyes. If Mendoza and the Hoosiers keep this up, the two teams will face off in the Big 10 conference championship game, where the winner will have the top seed in the College Football Playoffs and get a first-round bye, while the loser would have to play in the first round. This amazing 2025 performance has put the 22-year-old junior near the top of the quarterback rankings of the 2026 draft class. He is currently favored to win the Heisman Trophy as well. Depending on how he does in this last month of football and in the playoffs, he may even be out of the Steelers' reach, as he could easily be the first overall pick. Even if he falls outside the Top 5, it may be worth it for the Steelers to make a trade to get him. Steelers Are Likely Underwhelmed By Everyone Else It goes without saying that outside of Mendoza, most draft-eligible quarterbacks have completely bottomed out in the 2025 season. It's so bad that the Steelers may consider skipping out on drafting a quarterback in 2026 if they can't land Mendoza. If that is the case, the price to trade up in the 2026 NFL draft may rise up as well. Of course, the Steelers overall have not played great football, and there is a realistic chance that they end up drafting higher than they usually do. Obviously, nobody in that organization has any desire to tank, but a sub-par season for Pittsburgh standards could put them in a better position to go and get their guy. What is there to lose at this point? Despite Williams' scouting report on Mendoza, it's not set in stone that General Manager Omar Khan will do everything he can to try and draft the Indiana star. However, that inside information will still be helpful in the long run, especially Khan believes his testimony lines up with the tape at all. The undrafted receiver is not the deciding vote, but he could give a little nudge to help sway the Steelers towards selecting him.
Seahawks HC Mike Macdonald gives unwelcome injury update for two starters on defense
Sam Darnold and the Seattle Seahawks routed the Washington Commanders on “Sunday Night Football” by a score of 38-14. The Seahawks paid a price for their efforts, however, losing two key players on defense to injury. Linebacker Ernest Jones IV suffered a knee injury and cornerback Josh Jobe suffered a concussion. Speaking after the game, head coach Mike Macdonald gave updates on Jones IV and Jobe, with both likely to miss next week's matchup against the Arizona Cardinals. “So, Ernest has a bit of a knee [injury],” Macdonald said to the media after the win on Sunday. “We'll figure it out. I don't know. It's not season-ending, but we'll see how it goes. Who was the other one? Josh? Yeah, so, concussion. He's in the protocol, so we'll see how that goes too.” [Macdonalded added on if Jones will possibly miss multiple games,] “Yeah, there's a chance. I'll give you a timetable immediately. [laughs]. We'll see.” The Seahawks are in a tough predicament ahead of Tuesday’s trade deadline Losing two of their top starters on defense, the Seahawks could make a move to add depth to their linebacker core and secondary with the trade deadline looming. The Seahawks are tied with the Los Angeles Rams (6-2) for the lead in the NFC West, with the San Francisco 49ers (6-3) lurking just behind them, so two key injuries are particularly concerning. Linebacker Chazz Surratt sits behind Jones IV on the depth chart and would be an immediate option to plug in his absence, but he has done little to impress this season, having 10 total tackles, three solo tackles and no sacks through eight games. The Philadelphia Eagles snatched up two of the top corners on the market in Michael Carter II from the New York Jets and Jaire Alexander from the Baltimore Ravens, but the Seahawks could look to the Saints and trade for Alontae Taylor, who would upgrade their secondary. Taylor has posted 44 total tackles, 29 solo tackles and four pass defenses so far this season. Second-year cornerback Nehemiah Pritchett would be the next man up to play in place of Jobe. He's posted nine tackles (seven solo) this season. NFL Insider Dan Graziano identified cornerback as a position of need heading into the trade deadline even before the Jobe injury, so an upgrade could be in order ahead of Tuesday's 4 p.m. ET deadline.
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