Jeff Greer

USA TODAY Sports

LOUISVILLE, Ky. — As if it was ever in question, the University of Louisville on the eve of its first game week of the 2014 season named Will Gardner the team's starting quarterback.

Gardner, a redshirt sophomore from southern Georgia, assumed the lead quarterback spot after Teddy Bridgewater declared for the NFL draft after the 2013 season.

U of L head coach Bobby Petrino maintained throughout spring, summer and preseason workouts that he didn't like "naming" a starting quarterback, but an official statement Sunday night confirmed what was expected.

"I thought Will and outstanding fall camp," Petrino said. "He demonstrated good decision-making and executed our offense."

Gardner had a strong spring and improved by the day during preseason camp this month. He's just 8 of 12 passing in his career at Louisville but was always considered the quarterback-in-waiting behind Bridgewater.

U of L opens the season on Sept. 1 against Miami on ESPN.

Jeff Greer writes for the Louisville Courier-Journal.