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Northwestern names Ben Bryant as starting quarterback for opener vs. Rutgers

IMG_6598by:Nick Kosko•09/03/23•

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(Photo by Ian Johnson/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

Former Cincinnati quarterback Ben Bryant will get the start for Northwestern against Rutgers Sunday, according to ESPN’s Pete Thamel.

The Wildcats head to Piscataway to play the Scarlet Knights for not just a season opener, but a Big Ten opener for both schools. Northwestern and Bryant will play their first game under interim head coach David Braun.

Last season, Bryant threw for 2,731 yards, 21 touchdowns, seven interceptions and a 61.2% completion percentage. Bryant beat out Brendan Sullivan, who started four games for Northwestern in 2022.

Bryant transferred for a second time this offseason when he came to Northwestern this offseason. He started his career at Cincinnati in 2018, but after three seasons without starting, he left for Eastern Michigan in 2021.

That season, Bryant threw for 3,123 yards, 14 touchdowns, seven interceptions and a 68.4% completion percentage. He transferred back to Cincinnati following the departure of Desmond Ridder to the NFL.

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As a member of the Class of 2018, Bryant was a three-star recruit out of La Grange (Ill) Lyons Township, according to the On3 Industry Ranking, a weighted average that utilizes all four major recruiting media companies. He was the No. 12 overall prospect in the state, the No. 51 quarterback in the class and the No. 690 overall prospect in the class.

Ben Bryant to start for Northwestern in David Braun debut

Bryant starts for Braun Sunday against the Scarlet Knights in the opener. It’s been a wild offseason amid the hazing scandal that rocked Northwestern.

“I never could have imagined nor did I desire to become a head coach under these types of circumstances,” Braun said at Big Ten Media Days. “That said, I’m honored to lead this group moving forward … I dreamt of playing in the Big Ten. That never became a reality. But an opportunity to work in the Big Ten, coach in the Big Ten and coach and mentor these young men is something that I don’t take lightly.”

Kickoff for Northwestern and Rutgers is set for 12:00 p.m. ET Sunday in Piscataway (N.J.).