Grutza Earns Starting Quarterback Honors for Season Opener

Aug. 28, 2006

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CINCINNATI, OH -- Dustin Grutza has been named the starting quarterback for the University of Cincinnati football team for the 2006 season opener against Eastern Kentucky.

"We felt today that we had to make a decision," said Head Coach Mark Dantonio. "Both guys got a lot of snaps with the No. 1 offense over the previous two weeks. Our offense is accustomed to either quarterback being in the huddle. We're going to go with Dustin as the starter and we'll play Nick Davila in the first half as well."

A native of Maysville, Ky., Grutza started all 11 games last fall as a redshirt freshman. The 6-2, 212-pound signal caller completed 56 percent of his passes for 1,799 yards and 11 touchdowns to finish the 2005 campaign with a 111.1 passing efficiency rating. The Bearcats' offensive leader a year ago, Grutza earned BIG EAST Conference Offensive Player of the Week plaudits after completing 17-of-26 passes for 176 yards and two scores in the season opener against Eastern Michigan.

A two-time junior college All-American recognition at Chaffey Junior College, Davila completed 26-of-45 pass attempts for 344 yards and four touchdowns in five games last fall.

Sophomore David Wess enters the season as the third quarterback listed on the Bearcat depth chart.

The 2006 campaign gets underway for the Bearcats on Saturday, Sept. 2 with kickoff against Eastern Kentucky set for 7:30 p.m at Nippert Stadium. The Bearcats, who boast the fifth-oldest Division I-A program in the nation, will launch their 119th season against a brand new foe as UC and EKU have never previously met on the gridiron.

UC Athletics is proud to offer a variety of aggressively priced three-game mini plans and group ticket packages. Two exciting packages are available. Bring the family or group of fans to a series of games and show your support for the Bearcats. Visit the Athletics Ticket Office in the Richard E. Lindner Athletics Center, open weekdays, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., call 1-877-CATS-TIX, or log on to GoBEARCATS.com for more information or to order now!