Pete ThamelESPNSep 30, 2023, 7:30 AM ET2 Minute Read
Phil Jurkovec runs for a 23-yard touchdown
Phil Jurkovec runs for a 23-yard touchdown
According to an ESPN source, Pittsburgh will field veteran quarterback Phil Jurkovec against Virginia Tech on Saturday night, a week after he left Pitt’s loss to UNC after suffering an illegal hit.
Jurkovec’s status for the game was uncertain after he suffered an injury on a second-quarter play against North Carolina in which he was targeted. Jurkovec missed the remainder of the game and a source described Jurkovec’s injury as a lower body injury as he was both illegally hit and tackled on the horse collar on the same play.
Jurkovec is a six-year senior quarterback who returned to Pittsburgh for his senior year after stints at Notre Dame and Boston College.
He has been up and down this season, having completed 11 of 15 passes against UNC before the injury. He struggled against a leaky offensive line the previous week against West Virginia and finished the game with three interceptions and just 81 passing yards.
He has completed 51.1 percent of his passes this year and has four touchdowns and three interceptions.
Jurkovec maintained his starting position even during difficult periods and completed his first seven passes against UNC. Pitt’s offensive line has lost three players who were projected to be starters, including star tackle Matt Goncalves, and the offense has stalled accordingly.
Pitt (1-3) has lost three straight games, including its ACC opener against UNC 41-24. Virginia Tech (1-3) has also struggled with injuries as they have also lost three straight games.