LOUISVILLE, Ky. (AP) — Pittsburgh quarterback Eli Holstein was carted off the field with a left leg injury sustained while being sacked in the first quarter, but returned to the team's sideline by halftime of the Panthers' 37-9 Atlantic Coast Conference loss at Louisville.

The redshirt freshman's left ankle was caught at an awkward angle beneath Louisville defensive end Ashton Gillotte's hip on a twisting tackle for a 4-yard loss at midfield. Panthers medical personnel rushed to Holstein's aid, with a cart arriving quickly on the field within minutes.

Holstein’s leg was placed in a boot before he was helped onto the cart. He gave a thumbs-up to nearby teammates as he left the field to applause before being taken a hospital for observation.

Pitt coach Pat Narduzzi said after the game that Holstein was “banged up,” but did not elaborate.

Gillotte said he knew Holstein appeared injured after the play.

“I know I landed on him at probably an awkward angle," said Gillotte, who had two sacks among three total tackles for loss. "He was obviously in a lot of pain. Just prayers for him and his family. I hope he gets better.”

Holstein started for the Panthers (7-3, 3-3 ACC) after missing last week’s 24-20 home loss to No. 17 Clemson with a head injury sustained in the previous game against Virginia while sliding at the end of a run. He left an Oct. 24 game against Syracuse after taking a hit, but returned against SMU the following week.

Holstein completed 3 of 4 passes for 51 yards before being intercepted in the end zone by Louisville's Stanquan Clark on the game-opening possession. He was relieved by junior Nate Yarnell, who finished 11 of 23 passing for 96 yards with a third-quarter touchdown along with an interception that Louisville converted into a score for 24-0 lead.

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