Rutgers Scarlet Knights head coach Kyle Flood said over the weekend he'd name a starting quarterback sometime next week, and he wasn't lying. On Monday, the first-year headman made sophomore Gary Nova the squad's No. 1 signal caller entering the 2012 season, ending a preseason battled between Nova and junior Chas Dodd.
Nova will become the Scarlet Knights' fifth different season-opening quarterback in as many seasons.
The decision came after a strong performance by Nova in Saturday's scrimmage, which featured the Don Bosco Prep alum completing 7-of-13 passes for 180 yards and three touchdowns -- two of them being over 60 yards.
"We are fortunate to have two talented quarterbacks who have won big games for us," said Flood in a press release announcing his decision. "This has been an excellent competition but Gary’s body of work ultimately earned him the job."
Last season, Nova played in 10 games for Rutgers, starting in five of them, and showed the tools of a blue-chip quarterback tossing for 1,553 yards and 11 touchdowns. But at times Nova struggled to make good decisions (nine interceptions).
Rutgers opens its season Sept. 1 against Tulane University.
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