South Carolina graduate assistant Zeb Noland to start at quarterback against Eastern Illinois

As South Carolina quarterback Luke Doty remains out with a foot injury suffered August 14, Shane Beamer has named graduate assistant Zeb Noland the Gamecocks’ week 1 starting quarterback.

Noland, who joined Beamer’s staff this offseason, still has a year of eligibility remaining after playing at Iowa State and North Dakota State over the past few years. Noland became the starter for North Dakota State last season when Trey Lance announced he would be skipping the FCS spring season to focus on NFL Draft preparation. Noland took the Bison to the FCS Quarterfinals where they fell to Sam Houston State. In seven games, Noland threw for 721 yards and five touchdowns.

Another FCS transfer will be backing up Noland, as St. Francis transfer Jason Brown is listed as QB2 on South Carolina’s depth chart.

South Carolina opens its season Saturday evening at 7 p.m. ET against Eastern Illinois at Williams-Brice Stadium.