theyve made over the years is what Im all about.Howard crie

Transfer Kurt Benkert has won the battle to be Virginias starting quarterback.First-year head coach Bronco Mendenhall made the announcement Wednesday.Ive really been impressed with how hes moved the team. When I look at a quarterback, what I look first and foremost for is do they move the team into the end zone because points determine outcome, Mendenhall said. Kurt has been the one that I think has consistently and can continue to be consistent in terms of moving our team forward regardless of the type and caliber of opponent that we play.Hes a good decision maker, very strong arm, and he has natural leadership skills.A transfer from East Carolina, Benkert beat out incumbent Matt Johns and Connor Brewer, both fifth-year seniors, for the job. Johns started all 12 games last season and threw 20 touchdown passes, but also was intercepted 17 times.Mendenhall said Johns and Brewer will begin the season as co-backups.Benkert, who got married this summer, was to be the starter at East Carolina last season before an injury ended his year. He will be more than a year removed from surgery when the Cavaliers open on Sept. 3 against highly regarded Richmond of the Championship Subdivision.In practice, Benkert felt like the deciding factor to getting the starting nod was consistency and big play ability. Weve had a lot of big plays throughout camp and stretched the field a lot, so its definitely helped.Coach Ruffin McNeill was fired by ECU after last season, and when McNeill joined Mendenhalls staff, Benkert followed him to Virginia. He had already graduated, making him eligible to play right away, and said reuniting with McNeill was a benefit in the move.I feel really lucky to be able to see him every day. Hes a great person and hes always fun to be around and he always brings a lot of wisdom to the room, Benkert said of McNeill, the Cavaliers assistant head coach and defensive line coach.Mendenhall, who led BYU to 99 wins and 11 bowl games in as many seasons as coach, replaced Mike London as coach following the season. He said when he was hired that his preference is for a dual threat quarterback, and Benkert believes he is that kind of QB.Im not the fastest guy on the field by any means, but I definitely break tackles inside the pocket and outside the pocket whether its subtle movements or just extending plays on the run to throw the ball downfield, Benkert said. I feel like thats a big strength of mine.Benkert said the coaching staff has stressed the need for him to slide to prevent injury, but at a chiseled 231 pounds he said, If I need a first down or the game is on the line, Ill take over from there.That might out well for Virginia, which finished 4-8 and failed to qualify for a bowl game for the fifth consecutive season last year.---The APs college football page: www.collegefootball.ap.org---Follow Hank on Twitter: www.twitter.com/hankkurzjrTyler Higbee Youth Jersey . The Dutchmans tenure got off to a poor start when referee Guido Winkmann awarded a penalty within two minutes for Niklas Starks clumsy challenge on Alexandru Maxim. Tyler Higbee Rams Jersey . Miller finished in two minutes, 6.09 seconds, one day before the first medal race on the Alpine schedule. The 36-year-old American also turned in the top time in Thursdays opening training session. http://www.footballramsshop.us/authentic-joe-namath-rams-jersey/ . Coach Tom Thibodeau says the former MVP will probably start travelling with the team in the next few weeks. Rose tore the meniscus in his right knee at Portland in November and was ruled out for the remainder of the season by the Bulls. Taylor Rapp Youth Jersey . -- Derrick Rose shook off poor shooting early to hit clutch shots late and Carlos Boozer had 20 points and 13 rebounds to lead the Chicago Bulls to a 104-95 preseason victory over the Oklahoma City Thunder on Wednesday night. David Long Rams Jersey . Soukalova missed only one target and completed the 15-kilometre course in 40 minutes, 32.6 seconds for both victories in this seasons individual discipline. Darya Domracheva of Belarus was second, 34.ATLANTA -- Dwight Howard watched Kent Bazemore choke up with emotion and soon did the same.Returning to Atlanta means a lot.My prayers are answered, Howard said. Im home. Im with my family, so thank you.Howard has a new team, a new jersey number and a fresh start in his hometown.After five mostly disappointing years with Houston and the Los Angeles Lakers after leaving Orlando, Howard says this time will be different. Atlanta is where he belongs.The Hawks hosted a homecoming Wednesday for Howard, a three-time NBA and welcomed back Bazemore at a youth recreation center in southwest Atlanta where Howard grew up. The gymnasium was packed with children, family members and friends.This was all about a new beginning for Howard, who has switched his number from No. 12 to No. 8 for biblical inspiration. In the Bible, number eight signifies resurrection and regeneration. Howard says the number will motivate him as he gets in shape and changes his outlook on life this summer.One of the things biblically is the purging of the heart and throughout the years there are things that have happened behind closed doors that it really hardened my heart towards different situations, Howard later told reporters. I really have to purge my heart and come at basketball in a different manner. I was very upset with how things turned out and what people were saying. I hardened my heart towards everybody.Orlando drafted Howard No. 1 overall out of Southwest Atlanta Christian School in 2004. He became one of the NBAs elite big men over the next few years, leading the Magic to the 2009 NBA finals and ranking first in rebounds for five seasons and ranking second in another.But Howards time in central Florida ended bitterly after a falling out with coach Stan Van Gundy. He joined Kobe Bryant for one difficult season with the Lakers and slipped occasionally into mediocrity over his last three years with Houston.The Hawks, who have signed him to a three-year, $70.5 million contract, believed the time was right to bring Howard aboard.He can have a huge, positive impact, coach and team president Mike Budenholzer said. He can take us to another level if he and everybody are kind of playing annd understanding their roles.ddddddddddddWe feel like it can be special.Budenholzer doesnt seem concerned that Howard is step back offensively compared Al Horford, a longtime fan favorite who left in free agency for Boston.Budenholzer compared Howards inside presence somewhat to retired San Antonio center Tim Duncan. Howard doesnt have Duncans or Horfords shooting touch, but Budenholzer said Howards 6-foot-10, 265-pound frame is ideal for what the Hawks want to accomplish on both ends of the court.Hes more of a traditional center, Budenholzer said. Its been clear hes been one of the top defenders in our league for a long time. Offensively, hes somebody whos a presence inside, whos putting pressure on the rim whether it be in pick-and-rolls or post-ups. It will probably be something more like what San Antonio had for the majority of time I was there as an assistant coach.Bazemore, whos played the last two seasons in Atlanta, returned to the Hawks with a four-year, $70 million contract. He visited Houston, where he said James Harden, Akeem Olajuwon and Clyde Drexler each made a pitch, but staying in Atlanta was his preference.Wiping back tears, Bazemore called it one of the highlights of my life to build relationships in the local community.I play for you guys every night wearing Atlanta across my chest, Bazemore told the gym. It means more than just a jersey. I feel your pain here. I love the grit that this area gives off. Coming here to talk to the kids, I was here a couple of weeks ago for the court unveiling. To see the progress theyve made over the years is what Im all about.Howard cried when it was his first turn to speak.This building is where I spent a lot of time working on my game and wanting it to make it to the NBA, Howard said. This brings back chills. This area was home for me. My school is two minutes away.Every morning at 4 a.m., my dad and my cousin were back there with me on the track, trying to make it to the NBA. Its great. A man told me, `If you want to get back to the top, youve got to go back to your roots. ' ' '