After getting off to a perfect 5-0 start to the 2026 season, they've now suffered back-to-back losses, falling 21-17 to North Carolina at home and then 27-21 at Boston College. The Panthers now head into the back half of the season at 5-2 overall and 2-2 in ACC play. The biggest issue in Pittsburgh has been recovering from the loss of starting quarterback Mason Heintschel, who suffered a season-ending torn ACL in their dramatic upset win at Virginia Tech on Oct. 2.
Heintschel was one of the hottest quarterbacks in college football before the injury, throwing for 1,304 yards and 14 touchdowns with just one interception through five games. Without him, head coach Pat Narduzzi has tried both senior Holden Geriner and freshman Corey Dailey, but neither has been able to lead the Panthers to a win. Now, with Pittsburgh set to take on No. 1 Miami on Saturday, they've made another change at quarterback in hopes of getting their season back on track.
According to CBS Sports' Matt Zenitz, Pitt is expected to start Geriner against the Hurricanes, but Dailey is also expected to see playing time. Dailey started last week's loss to Boston College, while Geriner got the start the week prior against UNC. More news: Michigan’s Unexpected QB Starter Has a Famous Family Connection Geriner is a fifth-year senior who transferred to Pitt after playing at Auburn and Texas State.
He has more college experience than Dailey, a 6-foot-6 true freshman from Seguin, Texas, although he has had limited opportunities as a starter. Against North Carolina, Geriner went 27 of 44 for 219 yards and zero touchdowns with two interceptions. Dailey, meanwhile, made his first college start against Boston College and finished 11 of 25 for 193 passing yards and one touchdown with two interceptions.
He threw a 75-yard touchdown on the opening play, showing the big-play potential that made him a four-star recruit. But he wasn't consistent enough to get Pittsburgh the win. More news: Mississippi State Gets Concerning Update on QB Kamario Taylor More news: Michigan State Gets Concerning QB Injury News Ahead of UCLA Game Pittsburgh's season isn't over yet, even with the two losses, thanks to their hot start to the year.
But they can't afford too many more losses, and they now have to battle it out against the best team in the country. The Hurricanes are currently listed as 19.5-point favorites and remain one of the last undefeated teams in college football. After Miami, the Panthers will host Georgia Tech and Florida State before closing out their regular season on the road at Louisville and at California.
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