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Senior quarterback Chas Dodd will make his first start for Rutgers since the 2011 Pinstripe Bowl on Saturday at Connecticut, replacing the struggling Gary Nova.

(Jeff Griffith/USA TODAY Sports)

Looking to give his sagging offense some life, Rutgers coach Kyle Flood will start senior Chas Dodd at quarterback over struggling Gary Nova when the Scarlet Knights play at Connecticut on Saturday, the school announced this morning -- confirming an earlier Star-Ledger report.

Dodd, a senior, has not started since a 27-13 victory over Iowa State on Dec. 30, 2011 in the Pinstripe Bowl. He has appeared in eight games the past two seasons, five this year.

Nova had started the past 23 games.

During the recent slide that has seen Rutgers (5-5 overall) lose four of five, Nova is 82-of-161 for 988 yards (an average of 197.6) with five TD passes and eight interceptions. After averaging 40 ppg through the first five games the Scarlet Knights' offense has averaged 16.1 the last five games.

Dodd, a 6-0, 200-pounder from Lyman, S.C., has 16 career starts -- eight apiece as a freshman and sophomore. He started the final eight games of 2010 after taking over for Tom Savage and started eight in 2011, with Nova -- then a true freshman -- starting the other five.

Dodd is 8-8 in his career as a starter. Nova, one of four team captains, is 17-11 overall as a starter.

In his limited time this season, Dodd is 29-of-46 for 247 yards with no TD passes and an interception.

Nova is 165-for-303 for 2,159 yards with 18 TD passes and 14 interceptions this season.