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WVU names Kendall starting QB

Fellow signal caller Doege ruled eligible to play this season

The Inter-Mountain file photo Head coach Neal Brown announced on Tuesday that Austin Kendall will start at quarterback for WVU in the season opener on Aug. 31 against James Madison.

MORGANTOWN – On the same day Jarret Doege was ruled eligible to play this season for West Virginia, fellow quarterback Austin Kendall was named the starter for the Aug. 31 season opener against James Madison.

First-year Mountaineer head coach Neal Brown revealed both newsworthy items during a press conference on Tuesday afternoon.

“We tracked everything from spring practice through fall camp,” Brown said of the decision to tab Kendall the No. 1 signal caller. “It was clear after (last) Friday’s scrimmage that he earned it.”

Kendall is a graduate transfer from Oklahoma. He had been battling holdovers Jack Allison and Trey Lowe for the starting spot in fall camp.

Brown said Doege never factored into the competition.

The NCAA ruled Doege was eligible to play immediately after transfering from Bowling Green. He was granted a waiver and doesn’t have to sit out the season. However, he could still play in four games this season and maintain redshirt status

“(The ruling) didn’t really change our plan for (Doege),” Brown said. “He’s coming off of offseason surgery and is a little bit behind. I think (a redshirt) is the right decision for him.”

Doege, who started 17 games during his two seasons with Bowling Green, will still have two years of eligibility remaining.

Brown added his praise for Allison, a junior, and redshirt freshman Lowe.

“I believe in Jack Allison and he’s done a good job. I think that’s important for everybody to know.

“Trey Lowe is a guy that has prepared well and continues to improve.”

At Oklahoma, Kendall backed up Baker Mayfield in 2016 and Kyler Murray last season.

For his career, Kendall has completed 28 of 39 passes for 265 yards and three touchdowns without an interception.

WVU is still waiting to hear back from the NCAA on the status of another transfer — receiver Sean Ryan — who came to Morgantown from Temple.

Ryan figures to be in the mix for starting time if eligible this season.

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