Rutgers has a winner in the starting quarterback competition, but it's unknown how long he'll stay the winner.
Hayden Rettig was named the Knights' starting quarterback Tuesday, though that news was accompanied by the announcement of suspensions for five players, including Chris Laviano, Rettig's competitor for that QB job.
ESPN's Joe Schad first reported and Rutgers later announced that Laviano, star wide receiver Leonte Carroo, linebacker Kevin Marquez, punter Tim Gleeson and cornerback Ruhann Peele will sit out the first two quarters of that game on Sept. 5 after violating curfew. Head coach Kyle Flood told reporters that Laviano also used a fake ID in addition to violating curfew.
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[MORE BIG TEN: Report: Rutgers investigating Kyle Flood over potential rules violation]
Laviano's first-half suspension means Rettig will be under center when the Rutgers offense takes the field for the first time in 2015. Whether Rettig would have been Flood & Co.'s choice for the starting job in absence of this situation remains to be seen, and surely Flood can insert Laviano into the game if he chooses. Flood told reporters that he wouldn't commit to Rettig beyond the season's first two quarters.
Laviano and Rettig have been locked in a two-man quarterback battle this summer. Laviano made a few brief appearances in relief of Gary Nova last season, completing 11 passes for 107 yards and no touchdowns with one interception. Rettig transferred in from LSU ahead of last season and sat out the 2014 campaign under NCAA transfer rules. He's yet to play in a college football game.
While Laviano's suspension has the most interesting ramifications, Carroo is arguably the Big Ten's best wide receiver, catching 55 passes for 1,086 yards and 10 touchdowns last season en route to All-Big Ten honors. His absence for 30 minutes against a team like Norfolk State shouldn't mean much.