For the second consecutive season, college football fans will be blessed with a healthy dose of one of the greatest names in the history of the game.
Cincinnati head coach Butch Jones announced the expected Tuesday, tabbing Munchie Legaux as the Bearcats’ starting quarterback. The junior had been in a battle with senior Brendon Kay for the starting job since the start of spring practice.
Jones, though, stopped short of naming Legaux the starter for the duration of the 2012 season.
“We have done our due diligence and looked at all the throws and Munchie Legaux will be our starting quarterback against Pittsburgh,” Jones said in a statement. “Both have had outstanding camps. The reason why Brendon and Munchie have both taken such great strides entering this season is that they are pushing each other on the field and helping each other off the field. I want Brendon to keep pushing him (Legaux).
“We don’t want that competition to end and we want to keep that type of climate and that type of culture.”
Legaux spent the 2011 season as the primary backup to Zach Collaros, starting the last three games of the year (2-1) in place of the injured starter among the six games in which he played. For the season, Legaux threw for 749 and five touchdowns while adding a pair of rushing touchdowns.
“I was excited to get the news I was going to be the starting quarterback,” Legaux said. “All the hard work and dedication I put in during the summer and last season with some games under my belt paid off.
“Brendon Kay is a great guy. He’s pushed me every day to get better and he’s come to work every day. It’s a blessing and I’m excited but we’ve got to keep working. We have Pitt here in nine days so it doesn’t stop here, we have to continue.”
The Bearcats, who have won at least a share of the Big East title three of the past four years, don’t open the season until a week from Thursday against conference rival Pittsburgh.