UCF names freshman QB Pete DiNovo as starter

Published Aug. 10, 2014 10:00 p.m. ET

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ORLANDO -- Central Florida coach George O'Leary announced Sunday that Pete DiNovo will start the season opener against Penn State on Aug. 30 in Dublin, Ireland.

DiNovo, a redshirt freshman, won the starting role over Tyler Harris, Justin Holman and Nick Patti.

''From a management standpoint, from the sideline to the field, consistency is what I was looking for,'' O'Leary said. ''I thought Pete elevated himself this last week.''

A former East Lake star, DiNovo broke the Pinellas County career passing records (6,733 yards and 59 touchdowns). He also set the county's single-season passing record with 2,980 yards in 2012.

DiNovo will become UCF's first freshman to start Jeff Godfrey in 2010.

Now DiNovo will fill the role that had been occupied by Blake Bortles, who entered the NFL draft after his junior season and was selected with the No. 3 pick by the Jacksonville Jaguars.