Source: Pitt to start QB Jurkovec against Hokies

Pete Thamel, ESPNSep 30, 2023, 07:30 AM ET

Pittsburgh will start veteran quarterback Phil Jurkovec against Virginia Tech on Saturday night, a source told ESPN, a week after he left Pitt’s loss to North Carolina following an illegal hit.

Jurkovec’s status for the game was uncertain after an injury that occurred on a second-quarter play against North Carolina where he got targeted. Jurkovec missed the rest of the game. A source described Jurkovec’s injury as the lower-body variety, as he was both hit illegally and horse-collar tackled on the same play.

Jurkovec is a sixth-year senior quarterback who returned home to Pittsburgh for his final year of eligibility after stints at Notre Dame and Boston College.

He has been up-and-down this season and had completed 11 of 15 passes against North Carolina before the injury. He struggled against West Virginia the previous week behind a porous offensive line, finishing with three interceptions and 81 passing yards.

Pitt’s offensive line is down three players who were projected starters, including tackle Matt Goncalves, and the offense has sputtered accordingly.

Jurkovec has completed 51.1% of his passes this year and has four touchdowns and three interceptions. He maintained the starting job through the rough patches and completed his first seven passes against the Tar Heels.

Pitt (1-3) has lost three straight games, including the ACC opener to North Carolina 41-24. Virginia Tech (1-3) has also struggled amid injuries, losing its past three games.