Pitt starting quarterback Phil Jurkovec was ruled out for the second half of Saturday evening’s game vs. No. 17 North Carolina with an undisclosed injury, Pitt officials said.
With only seconds left in the second quarter and Pitt possessing the ball at its own 31, Jurkovec rolled out of the pocket on a keeper and was tackled for a short loss.
Already in the process of being tackled, Jurkovec then absorbed a high hit from Tar Heels cornerback Tayon Holloway, who was given a targeting penalty and disqualified from the game.
Pitt medical officials attended to Jurkovec briefly on the field before he stood up and made his way to the sideline.
Sophomore Christian Veilleux took over under center from there and began the second half at quarterback.
The 15-yard penalty that came as a result of the hit on Jurkovec was followed by a 15-yard completion from Veilleux to Daejon Reynolds at UNC’s 40-yard line.
The Panthers’ Ben Sauls then attempted a 58-yard field goal as time expired in the first half, but it was well short.
Jurkovec, who struggled in Pitt’s recent losses to Cincinnati and West Virginia, had bounced back at the time of his injury, going 11 of 15 with 109 yards.
Pitt trailed the Tar Heels, 38-24, in the third quarter.
