Kurt Benkert named starting quarterback at UVA

UVA football coach Bronco Mendenhall made official what we’d been suspecting since the start of training camp: ECU transfer Kurt Benkert will be his starting quarterback.

Benkert beat out last year’s starter, Matt Johns, and Arizona transfer Connor Brewer for the starting job. Johns and Brewer, both seniors, are both listed at #2 on the depth chart as the Cavs get ready for their season opener on Sept. 3 at home against Richmond.

Benkert had been named the starting QB at East Carolina last summer before going down to injury late in training camp. The Pirates limped to a 5-7 finish in 2015 that surprisingly cost coach Ruffin McNeill his job.

McNeill landed a job on the staff of Mendenhall after the former BYU coach was named at Virginia to replace Mike London after six disappointing seasons for London in Charlottesville.

UVA finished 4-8 in 2015 with Johns getting all 12 starts at quarterback, throwing for 2,810 yards and 20 touchdowns, and an NCAA-worst 17 interceptions.

Benkert missed the entire 2015 season, and went through spring practice at ECU under new coach Scottie Montgomery, throwing for 216 yards and a touchdown and adding another score on the ground in the Pirates’ spring game.