PISCATAWAY -- Rutgers has made a quarterback change, handing the reins to Gio Rescigno for his first career start after Chris Laviano made 18 straight starts.

Rutgers head coach Chris Ash announced the change Monday, preempting any week of speculation around practice reps and uncertainty heading into Saturday's game at Minnesota.

"Gio has quietly just worked and worked and worked," said Ash, who wants to end the "revolving door" at quarterback and name a consistent starter rather than keeping a week-to-week situation.

Ash said the decision is "not blaming anybody at all" and thanked Laviano for the commitment to changes that he made during the offseason. The plan is to continue to give Laviano reps in practice.

Ash also acknowledged that the results just "felt different" last week when Rescigno went into the game to replace Laviano, alluding to the energy in the home stadium and his ability to make plays with his feet as required by the power spread offense.

"We just feel like if he has a whole week to prepare and get ready to play, he can build on what he brought to the team in the second half of that game," Ash said.

Rescigno was 10-of-18 passing for 120 yards and one touchdown in relief of Laviano during a 24-7 loss to Illinois. Rutgers ended an 11-quarter scoring drought with Rescigno at the controls.

"Watching (Sunday's) practice, he had a lot of energy and the players around him fed off that energy. We moved the ball in practice better than what we've done on previous Sundays so we decided to see what Gio can do with the offense moving forward."

Rutgers has played Laviano, Rescigno, Zach Allen and Tylin Oden at quarterback thus far. Oden, a true freshman, is looked at as part of the future solution at the position, but it has been clear that his passing ability is not up to Big Ten par yet.

"I always wanted to get more than a quarter or a couple plays," Rescigno said after the game. "I actually got to play a half of football. That's something I've been working a lot for. When you get those game reps more than just practice reps, that definitely helps a lot."

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Rebuilding Rutgers: From The Ashes takes you inside the new football regime. This episode is about Jim Harbaugh invading N.J. and Chris Ash fighting back.

Ryan Dunleavy may be reached at rdunleavy@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @rydunleavy. Find NJ.com Rutgers Football on Facebook.