Sean Mannion

Sean Mannion

(Bruce Ely/The Oregonian)

will be the starting quarterback for Oregon State in the Beavers' season opener Saturday against Eastern Washington.

That was the news Monday from head coach Mike Riley, who ended a competition that had stretched from last season through training camp and all the way into game week.

"He's going to start and, of course, Cody (Vaz) will be ready to go as always," Riley said. "It's great to have both of these guys. In any other era, they both would be starters, from what we've ever had in the program. So we're thankful for them."

Mannion, a junior from Pleasanton, Calif., who was

, has 5,774 passing yards and 31 passing touchdowns in 18 career starts. He split first-team reps with Vaz, a senior, throughout fall camp, impressing coaches with his improved accuracy and decision making.

"We thought about it for a long time and had a hard time making a decision," Riley said. "But we made a decision going forward and I'm excited about it."

Other notes from Monday's practice:

Right tackle Gavin Andrews, who has missed the past week of practices, has mono and will be out "two to three weeks, probably," Riley said. ... A host of key players — running backs Terron Ward and Storm Woods, wide receivers Brandin Cooks and Kevin Cummings, and cornerback Sean Martin — were back in practice after sitting out Saturday. ... Center Isaac Seumalo, who has missed about a week with a knee bruise, was out again Monday. ... Freshman safety Terin Solomon has left the team and plans to transfer.

Stay with OregonLive for more on this developing story.