Football Names Starting Quarterback
Aug 24 | Football
Sitkowski set to become first true freshman to start season opener since 2001
PISCATAWAY, N.J. - Rutgers football named Artur Sitkowski its starting quarterback for the 2018 season opener against Texas State on Saturday, Sept. 1 at High Point Solutions Stadium.
Sitkowski is set to become the first Rutgers true freshman to start the season opener since Ryan Cubit in 2001. The last true freshman to start any game behind center for the Scarlet Knights was Gary Nova in an overtime win over USF on Nov. 5, 2011.
Having joined the program in January, Sitkowski participated in spring practice and threw for 280 yards and three touchdowns on 11 completions in the Scarlet-White game. He is from Old Bridge, N.J., and played for Old Bridge High School for three seasons, earning All-GMC Red Division by NJ.com and Gannett NJ in 2016, before attending IMG Academy in Bradenton, Fla., as a senior. A four-star recruit and rated the nation's No. 9 pro-style quarterback by ESPN.com, he helped the team to a 9-0 record by finishing 45-of-79 for 370 yards and two touchdowns.
The season opener will serve as the second annual War Before the Shore game, which honors a long-standing New Jersey tradition to head to the shore for the final weekend of the summer. In addition to a Block R sandcastle and boats located throughout the stadium, there will be many other fan-friendly promotions such as an exclusive tank top giveaway for students while supplies last. The game is presented by PNC Bank.
Single-game tickets are on sale via RutgersGameday.com as the Scarlet Knights host Buffalo (Sept. 22) and Big Ten foes Indiana (Sept. 29), Illinois (Oct. 6), Northwestern (Oct. 20), Michigan (Nov. 10) and Penn State (Nov. 17).
Rutgers True Freshmen Starting Quarterbacks (Since WWII)
* - season opener
Follow Rutgers Athletics on Facebook and Twitter (@RUAthletics) for all of the latest news and updates. For specific updates regarding football, follow the program on Twitter (@RFootball). For additional updates, please download the Gameday App.
Sitkowski is set to become the first Rutgers true freshman to start the season opener since Ryan Cubit in 2001. The last true freshman to start any game behind center for the Scarlet Knights was Gary Nova in an overtime win over USF on Nov. 5, 2011.
Having joined the program in January, Sitkowski participated in spring practice and threw for 280 yards and three touchdowns on 11 completions in the Scarlet-White game. He is from Old Bridge, N.J., and played for Old Bridge High School for three seasons, earning All-GMC Red Division by NJ.com and Gannett NJ in 2016, before attending IMG Academy in Bradenton, Fla., as a senior. A four-star recruit and rated the nation's No. 9 pro-style quarterback by ESPN.com, he helped the team to a 9-0 record by finishing 45-of-79 for 370 yards and two touchdowns.
The season opener will serve as the second annual War Before the Shore game, which honors a long-standing New Jersey tradition to head to the shore for the final weekend of the summer. In addition to a Block R sandcastle and boats located throughout the stadium, there will be many other fan-friendly promotions such as an exclusive tank top giveaway for students while supplies last. The game is presented by PNC Bank.
Single-game tickets are on sale via RutgersGameday.com as the Scarlet Knights host Buffalo (Sept. 22) and Big Ten foes Indiana (Sept. 29), Illinois (Oct. 6), Northwestern (Oct. 20), Michigan (Nov. 10) and Penn State (Nov. 17).
Rutgers True Freshmen Starting Quarterbacks (Since WWII)
| Year | Name | Debut Opponent (Date) | Cmp-Att-Yds-TD |
| 1945 | Frank Burns | Swarthmore* (10/6) | 7-15-118-0 |
| 1981 | Jacque LaPrairie | at Boston College (11/21) | 2-16-38-0 |
| 1982 | Eric Hochberg | at Auburn (11/6) | 16-30-148-0 |
| 1997 | Mike McMahon | at Army (10/18) | 26-42-386-1 |
| 1999 | Chad Schwenk | Navy (11/6) | 17-32-149-0 |
| 2001 | Ryan Cubit | at Buffalo* (8/30) | 11-23-157-2 |
| 2002 | Ryan Hart | No. 1 Miami (11/2) | 9-23-110-0 |
| 2009 | Tom Savage | Howard (9/12) | 8-13-223-2 |
| 2010 | Chas Dodd | Connecticut (10/8) | 18-29-322-2 |
| 2011 | Gary Nova | Pittsburgh (10/8) | 11-24-174-2 |
* - season opener
Follow Rutgers Athletics on Facebook and Twitter (@RUAthletics) for all of the latest news and updates. For specific updates regarding football, follow the program on Twitter (@RFootball). For additional updates, please download the Gameday App.
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