Matt Johns to start at QB for Virginia against Georgia Tech

Published January 31, 2017

CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. (AP) Matt Johns will be Virginia's starting quarterback on Saturday at Georgia Tech.

Coach Bronco Mendenhall made the announcement Monday, saying that Johns, who started all the Cavaliers' games last season, will replace struggling transfer Kurt Benkert, who has started the first 10 games this year.

The Cavaliers (2-8, 1-5 Atlantic Coast Conference) lost their fifth straight on Saturday, 34-14 against Miami. Benkert fumbled the ball twice after halftime, and Johns replaced him with about five minutes to play.

Mendenhall was effusive in his praise of Johns for his leadership all season, even after losing the starting job. The coach says Benkert has reached the point of needing to take a ''step back'' after his recent struggles.

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