Former Auburn quarterback Holden Geriner had to take over Pitt's quarterback room after Mason Heintschel's season-ending injury in Week 5. Geriner led the Panthers to a 35-33 win over Virginia Tech last week after being thrust into the action. That got Pitt a spot in the AP Top 25 Poll.
Geriner couldn't keep the winning streak going against North Carolina in Week 6, though.
Bill Belichick's Tar Heels knocked Pitt out of the rankings with a 21-17 UNC win. It was the first ranked win of the "Chapel Bill" era at North Carolina. Belichick didn't celebrate much postgame, simply saying he'd have his Heels prepared for Duke next week.
Panthers head coach Pat Narduzzi famously vouched for his team to be ranked after downing the Hokies last week. Pitt's No. 25 ranking will be a one-and-done following the loss. So much for that.
Geriner threw two picks during the Panthers' loss, completing 27 of 44 pass attempts. He went 1/4 on his final drive, with his one completion going for negative yardage. Geriner was also sacked twice.
The Panthers were only a field-goal favorite at home, which may as well have been an even spread on a neutral field. Vegas wasn't overly confident in Geriner getting the job done heading into this one.
Pitt fans see why Holden Geriner didn't work out at Auburn or Texas State
Geriner never got the chance to start anywhere he played prior, be it on the Plains or in San Marcos, Texas.
Pitt fans may understand why, now.
Geriner had problems with mobility in the pocket throughout the years. Brad Jackson was dynamic at Texas State, but the Tigers had an opening that could've been seized by Geriner if he had starting-caliber stuff.
As great an arm as he has, Geriner simply never put it all together. He has done a fine job so far with the Panthers. Still, the fact that an improved Tar Heels squad that still isn't a world-beater was too much for him means Geriner was never more than a bridge quarterback.
Pitt's CFP hopes died when Heintschel went down.
Add us as a preferred source on Google