Pitt redshirt freshman quarterback Nate Yarnell made his first career start in Pitt's 34-13 win over Western Michigan over the weekend. Yarnell went 9-of-12 for 179 yards and threw one touchdown in his first college game action. For his performance, the Pitt quarterback was named the ACC Rookie of the Week on Monday.
Yarnell benefitted from a strong rushing attack in the game on Saturday, as the Panthers racked up 238 yards on the ground. The Pitt quarterback did make some impressive throws and perhaps more importantly did not turn the ball over once. On Yarnell's first passing attempt, he connected with Konata Mumpfield for a 19-yard gain as the team was facing a 3rd and 18 situation.
Six of Yarnell's completions went for 18 yards or more as he was able to show impressive touch on some deep passes, including two sideline throws to Jared Wayne that both went for over 30-yard gains.
“He’s just so calm in the huddle, and I thought he looked comfortable out there the whole time,” Narduzzi said in his post game press conference about Yarnell's performance. “I don’t think he was nervous, not one bit. Not even close, which was shocking because I was damn nervous.”
Following a second half touchdown by Western Michigan to cut into Pitt's lead 20-13, the redshirt freshman quarterback helped engineer a 12-play 74-yard drive capped off by a six-yard touchdown pass to Mumpfield. Pitt extended its lead to two scores, and was able to add one more to win the game comfortably.
“It was a memory I’ll always remember,” Yarnell said after the game about making his first career start. “It was really special just knowing the work we put in this week, the game plan we had, I was just really excited to get out there on the field knowing Coach Cignetti had my back and after the game it was just a culmination of all those feelings.”
It was an unlikely set of circumstances that led Yarnell to starting Saturday's game in the first place. Pitt starter Kedon Slovis was injured the week prior in the Tennessee game, and did not return to action in the second half. Pitt's top reserve Nick Patti finished that game, but was visibly hobbled by an ankle injury.
Slovis was in uniform and available for the game, while Patti did not make the trip to Kalamazoo. Yarnell began the week as the team's fourth string quarterback, but managed to outplay and earn the starting nod over fellow backup Derek Kyler while Pitt opted to keep Slovis on the sidelines.
Pitt will take on Rhode Island this Saturday for a noon kickoff at Acrisure Stadium. It is unclear how Pitt will handle the quarterback situation this weekend, but Pat Narduzzi indicated Slovis will be ready to play in his Monday press conference. Still, given that this is an FCS opponent, Saturday could be another opportunity for Yarnell to get some reps yet again.
