The decision is in, and sooner than expected: Sophomore Gary Nova was named Rutgers' starting quarterback today by coach Kyle Flood, ending a prolonged battle for the job with Chas Dodd.

Flood made the announcement in a statement released prior to the start of the Knights' 8:30 a.m. practice, the first half of a double session for the team to kick off the final week of pre-season camp.

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"We are fortunate to have two talented quarterbacks who have won big games for us," Flood said in the statement. "This has been an excellent competition but Gary's body of work ultimately earned him the job."

The 6-2, 225-pound Nova, a product of powerhouse Don Bosco Prep, started five games and appeared in 10 as a true freshman last season. He finished 116-of-227 for 1,553 yards with 11 touchdowns and nine interceptions.

Flood originally said he would name a quarterback seven to 10 days before Rutgers' Sept. 1 opener at Tulane, which meant any time from Wednesday on. But he decided to act following Saturday night's scrimmage, after Nova went 7-of-13 for 180 yards with three touchdowns -- a 60-yarder to Mark Harrison and a 75-yarder to Miles Shuler among them.

Dodd went 23-of-39 for 276 yards and four touchdown passes in the scrimmage at High Point Solutions Stadium.

Neither quarterback threw an interception.

Dodd, a junior, and Nova have been competing to be the starter since the spring, with Dodd starting eight games last season.

Flood and both quarterbacks were unavailable to the media until after Rutgers' second practice of the day.