Dantin named starting quarterback for UT

Sophomore Austin Dantin has been named the starting quarterback for the University of Toledo, coach Tim Beckman said on the Mid-American Conference coaches teleconference Monday.

Dantin, who beat out three other candidates, will take the first snap against Arizona on Friday, but Beckman said sophomore David Pasquale will also see time behind center in the wildcat formation.

"He came out and grasped the leadership of the quarterback position," Beckman said of Dantin. "His passing has become so much more precise, and in the last year and a half, he's become more mature. Now he's ready to begin his career as the quarterback at the University of Toledo."

While filling in for an injured Aaron Opelt last season, Dantin completed 79 of 119 pass attempts (66.4 percent) for 962 yards in seven games and had four touchdowns and four interceptions.

Because of his game experience, Dantin got the first look behind center during spring workouts and maintained his spot atop the depth chart throughout preseason practices.

"Austin's had a great preseason, great summer workouts and of course spring football," Beckman said. "He was penciled in, and now we're just going to write it in pen. As I said, he's a leader and done a great job for us. We look forward to seeing what he does with our offense on Friday night."

Beckman also revealed that senior Alex Pettee will serve as Dantin's backup and will only play "if need be." Redshirt freshman Terrance Owens, who had risen to No. 2 on the depth chart last week, has been relegated to fourth string and will only play "in an emergency situation," Beckman said.