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Pittsburgh QB Heintschel Out for Season With Torn ACL
Confirmed
In Short: Pittsburgh quarterback Mason Heintschel will miss the rest of the 2026 season after suffering a torn ACL during a game against Virginia Tech.
Pittsburgh quarterback Mason Heintschel will miss the remainder of the 2026 season after suffering a torn ACL during Friday night's 35-33 victory over Virginia Tech.
The sophomore quarterback sustained the season-ending injury in the third quarter of Pitt’s road win at Lane Stadium.
Heintschel had emerged as one of the nation’s most productive quarterbacks through the first five games of the season, throwing for 14 touchdowns and just one interception.
Pitt coach Pat Narduzzi announced the news about 24 hours after Heintschel was injured during the second half of the game.
Heintschel was scrambling for yardage when he was tackled and fell to the ground with his right leg pinned behind him while simultaneously being hit by another Virginia Tech defender.
Narduzzi expressed his disappointment in a statement: “Mason Heintschel suffered a torn ACL at Virginia Tech and will miss the remainder of the season. We’re heartbroken for Mason, but he’s a resilient young man. We know he’ll attack his recovery with the same determination he brings to our building every day, and our entire program will be behind him every step of the way.”
Holden Gernier, a transfer from Auburn, replaced Heintschel and threw for a touchdown to help secure the win against the Hokies.
Gernier went 8-for-12 for 78 yards and a touchdown to lead Pitt to a thrilling victory, keeping the Panthers undefeated and in the ACC Championship race.
Pitt will host North Carolina next Saturday in an effort to become bowl-eligible in the first six weeks of the season.
The Panthers then go to Boston College and travel to Miami to face the ACC favorite Hurricanes, in what will be the biggest test for Gernier and the Panthers as they look to adjust after losing Heintschel.
What this adds
The injury immediately appeared serious, as Heintschel struggled to put weight on his right leg and remained on the ground in apparent pain before being helped off the field.
Heintschel was relieved by veteran backup Holden Gernier, who led Pitt to a second-half comeback after the team trailed Virginia Tech 24-21 in the third quarter at the time of the injury.
Background
Pittsburgh quarterback Mason Heintschel will miss the rest of the 2026 season after suffering a torn ACL during a game against Virginia Tech.
What's confirmed
- Pittsburgh quarterback Mason Heintschel will miss the remainder of the 2026 season after suffering a torn ACL during Friday night’s 35-33 victory over Virginia Tech.
- Pitt coach Pat Narduzzi announced the news about 24 hours after Heintschel was injured during the second half of the 35-33 victory.
- “We're heartbroken for Mason, but he's a resilient young man,” Narduzzi wrote.
- Heintschel was scrambling for yardage when he was tackled and fell to the ground with his right leg pinned behind him while simultaneously being hit by another Virginia Tech defender.
- Heintschel was off to an electric start for Pitt, throwing for 14 touchdowns against just one pick at the time of the injury.
What's still developing
- ESPN’s Pete Thamel reported that Heintschel tore his ACL, while CBS Sports reported that testing confirmed the season-ending knee injury.
- He remained on the ground in apparent pain before Pitt’s medical staff helped him off the field.
- Stanford head coach… As the ACC football season progresses, the conference landscape continues to take shape, with some… MADISON, Wis.
- Heintschel had been performing well, with 14 touchdowns and just one interception during the Panthers' perfect start.
- An MRI revealed Heintschel suffered an ACL tear, sources said, and the 5-0 Panthers will now have to continue their season in pursuit of an ACC Championship without their starting quarterback.
- In Heintschel's place, Holden Greiner stepped in and performed well for the Panthers.
- The injury immediately appeared serious, as Heintschel struggled to put weight on his right leg.
- He went to the locker room and appeared later on the Pitt sideline sitting with crutches nearby.
- Heintschel was relieved by veteran backup Holden Geriner.