AUSTIN, Texas -- Garrett Gilbert has earned a second chance to be the starting quarterback at Texas.

The junior who threw 17 interceptions as Texas went 5-7 last season was announced Monday as the starter for the Longhorns' season opener Saturday night at home against Rice.

Gilbert won a four-way battle for the job in new coordinator Bryan Harsin's offense.

The Longhorns threw the position open after Texas had one of its worst offensive seasons in 20 years in 2010 and Gilbert wound up throwing for just 10 touchdowns.

The question now is just how strong of a hold does he have on the job and how quickly would Texas go to No. 2 Case McCoy if Gilbert struggles?

"He's the starting quarterback at Texas. If he moves the ball and scores, he'll keep it," coach Make Brown said. "He wouldn't be our starting quarterback if we didn't have faith in Garrett."

Texas' depth chart had been kept secret through training camp, but Gilbert said he was told a week ago he had moved to No. 1 after the team's second scrimmage.

Harsin tried to make the competition as intense as possible between Gilbert, McCoy, and freshmen David Ash and Connor Wood. The Longhorns charted every pass of every drill, third down conversion and touchdown drive during camp, and Harsin said Gilbert had the best understanding of the plays, defensive reads and audibles.

After Gilbert struggled in the first scrimmage, he was busted out of the top spot and told to work his way back up as the others were given snaps with the first team, Harsin said.