Rutgers QB Dodd To Start Vs. South Florida

PISCATAWAY, N.J. (AP) — Rutgers coach Greg Schiano on Monday named Chas Dodd as his team's starting quarterback for Wednesday's game against South Florida.

Schiano, who continues to label his quarterback position a week-to-week decision, said Tom Savage will handle backup duties for the Big East contest in Tampa.

"We're going to start Chas," Schiano said following practice Monday morning. "They're both ready to play. I feel good about both of them. We have two good quarterbacks."

Schiano didn't tip his hand one way or the other when asked whether he's willing to play both Dodd and Savage if the situation calls for it against the Bulls.

"I'm going to do whatever I think gives us the best chance to win. I'm not going to predetermine it," Schiano said. "They're both qualified, they're both prepared, they're both very comfortable with the plans."

Dodd, a true freshman from South Carolina, guided Rutgers (4-3, 1-1 Big East) to victories in two of his three starts, leading the Scarlet Knights to fourth-quarter comebacks in both wins.

Savage was regarded among the Big East's top quarterbacks entering the season, but the sophomore lost the starting job last month due, in part, to injuries to his ribs and throwing hand. It also didn't help that Savage had compiled the Big East's worst passing efficiency rating through Rutgers' 2-2 start.

But signs of a quarterback controversy began last week, when Schiano didn't come out and say that Dodd had earned the starting nod over Savage, who threw for a touchdown pass in the late stages of Pitt's 41-21 romp over Rutgers on Oct. 23.

"It's just cumulative body of work over the week and then this season, and then you have to make a decision," Schiano said. "Certainly it was a very hard decision. They're both good quarterbacks."

Copyright 2010 The Associated Press.