FORT WORTH -- TCU football has named Alex Delton its starting quarterback for the season opener against UAPB. Delton won the starting job over four other contenders. 

While Delton is the starting quarterback, true freshman Max Duggan will still play in the first quarter for the Horned Frogs. Patterson will not commit to anything longer term than who will run out first against UAPB. 

"I hope that everyone who gets married stays married, but not all of them do," TCU head coach Gary Patterson said.

Delton joined the program in January as a graduate transfer at Kansas State. He and junior Michael Collins are the only two quarterbacks on the roster who have played in a Big 12 game.

"I feel like I've been practicing very well," Delton said. "I feel like we've created an identity throughout camp. It's going to carry over to the season. I'm excited to get to this first ballgame and get going." 

The Hays, Kansas, native completed 56.1 percent of his passes for 1,202 yards, five touchdowns and four interceptions at Kansas State. The dual-threat quarterback added 213 rushes for 768 yards and 11 touchdowns on the ground. 

Delton was often used as a running quarterback in Bill Snyder's single-wing rushing offense. However, TCU offensive coordinator Sonny Cumbie is an air raid protege. Delton will be asked to throw the ball much more consistently. However, he thinks the new system will help his production. 

"I prefer this offense that I'm in now," Delton said. "Personally, I think it allows me to utilize my abilities a little more and just to be more dominant as a passer and a runner in this system. I'm excited to get these wins stacked up." 

Delton won the job over Council Bluffs, Iowa, true freshman Max Duggan, who impressed after arriving in January. Duggan will serve as the primary backup. Redshirt freshman Justin Rogers and junior Michael Collins will split third-string quarterback responsibilities. Walk-on Matthew Downing will serve as fifth-string quarterback.

His primary responsibility will be simple: avoid turnovers. The Horned Frogs turned the ball over 26 times a season ago, which ranked No. 117 nationally and last in the Big 12 by far. 

TCU opens the season against UAPB at 7 p.m. on Saturday at Amon G. Carter Stadium in Fort Worth.