Cincinnati names Munchie Legaux starting QB

Junior Munchie Legaux will start for Cincinnati in its Sept. 6 opener against Pittsburgh. (US Presswire)

It has been expected throughout the summer, but Cincinnati coach Butch Jones made it official Tuesday, naming junior Munchie Legaux his starting quarterback. Legaux beat out Brendon Kay for the spot.

“We looked at every throw that Brendon has made and that Munchie has made and right now we made the decision that Munchie Legaux will be our starting quarterback for Pittsburgh,” Jones told Cincinnati.com, “but we don't want that competition to end."

The Bearcats will open the season a week from Thursday, with a conference game against Pittsburgh.

Legaux, who started in place of the injured Zach Collaros three times last season, is ready to build on the modicum of success he experienced as a dual-threat quarterback.

"It's been my dream to be the starter and now I have to take advantage of the opportunity," Legaux told ESPN.com. "You have to seize the moment. It's my opportunity to go out there and show everyone that I can be the quarterback I'm capable of being, to execute the offense, lead my guys and just go out there and be myself, don't try to do anything outside of the system that can cost the team, be the leader on and off the field in the classroom, in the weight room in the public, in the community."

As a sophomore in 2011, Legaux threw for 749 yards and five scores, but he also threw four interceptions.

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