BEND -- Oregon State coach Gary Andersen said he would name the Beavers' starting quarterback whenever that signal-caller clearly emerged.



Turns out that took place about a week into fall camp. Jake Luton has earned that distinction for the Beavers' Aug. 26 opener at Colorado State, Andersen announced following Tuesday's practice at Summit High School.



The announcement officially ends the three-way competition between Luton, Marcus McMaryion and Darell Garretson. And the choice is not surprising, given Luton was most often the first quarterback to take snaps with the first unit during spring practices and early in fall camp.



"It's good (the decision is) made now," Andersen said. "The kids understand it. We can get the timing with the receivers, the quarterback, the whole offense together as much as possible, and those other two kids (McMaryion and Garretson) will still get a bunch of reps."



Luton, a transfer from Ventura Community College, boasts a 6-foot-7, 235-pound frame and strong arm, an asset for an offense aiming to significantly improve its passing game after ranking near the bottom nationally in nearly every major category the past two seasons. This past offseason, Andersen hired passing game coordinator and wide receiver coach Jason Phillips, who has experience as a player and coach in the Run 'N Shoot and Air Raid spread systems.



Luton, who began his college career at Idaho, had a record-setting season at Ventura, throwing for 3,551 yards and 40 touchdowns in 2016. Shortly after arriving at OSU, however, Luton came down with a mysterious ailment that caused him to lose about 30 pounds during spring practice. He was back to full health by the start of camp, and has showed improved consistency in his decision-making thus far, Andersen said.



"He threw the ball very, very well," Andersen said.



Luton was not made available for interviews Tuesday, but said before fall camp began that it would mean "the world" to him to win the Beavers' starting job.



"I've put in the work since I was 6 years old, when I started playing flag football up until now," Luton said. "You think back, and really, everything I've ever done in my life leads up to now -- playing Pac-12 football, where I've wanted to be."



But OSU's recent quarterback carousels illustrate that McMaryion and Garretson must stay ready. Three quarterbacks took meaningful game snaps in both 2015 and 2016.



Garretson started the Beavers' first six games last season, completing 50 percent of his throws for just 671 yards, three touchdowns and four interceptions before breaking his leg against Utah in October. McMaryion started the final six games, finishing with 1,286 passing yards, 10 touchdowns and five interceptions and guiding the Beavers to consecutive victories against Arizona and Oregon to close the season. Walk-on freshman Conor Blount surprisingly ascended to the backup job before injuring his knee against Utah.



"We know we're going to need multiple quarterbacks, potentially, as the year goes on," Andersen said. "I think those kids will definitely accept their role ... I don't want to discount their effort. I don't want to discount what they've put into it. It was a battle ... we're blessed to have the three kids."



Andersen said the Beavers have not yet distinguished if McMaryion or Garretson will be the backup. But with those three signal-callers getting the bulk of the practice reps, OSU hopes to redshirt Blount and incoming freshman Aidan Willard. Mason Moran switched from quarterback to safety following spring practice.



But it took about a week into fall camp for Luton to assert himself as QB1.



-- Gina Mizell | @ginamizell