Kelly likes Grutza - sort of

So spring practice is over and as of now, Dustin Grutza is UC’s starting quarterback. But will he be when the games begin to count next fall?

Obviously, if Ben Mauk gets a favorable ruling from the NCAA, Mauk will be the quarterback.

But if he doesn’t?

It’s almost amusing to listen to Kelly attempt to praise Grutza. He tries to say nice things about him, but it seems forced. You would think that Grutza, with two years of experience as a starter, with more knowledge of Kelly’s offense than any of the other quarterbacks (except Mauk) would be the perfect guy to start this year, giving Demetrius Jones and Chazz Anderson a chance to get their legs under them before one of them takes over next year.

But there doesn’t seem to be much enthusiasm for that idea coming from Kelly.

Listen to this quote from Saturday after the spring game in which Grutza completed 13 of 18 passes for 100 yards and two touchdowns, with one interception.

“I like Dustin Grutza,” Kelly said. “Ben Mauk is a proven commodity in terms of playing all year. If we get Ben Mauk back, we’ll be happy. But look, we can’t cry over it. Dustin Grutza will have to be the guy and we’re going to have to win with him. We can’t trade him. We can’t get another guy for him. We think he can do the job. If he’s our starter, we’ll get it done. We’ll find a way”

So what do you think? Assuming Mauk doesn’t return, will Grutza be the starter in the fall. And if he is, how do you feel about that? Can UC win games with Grutza at quarterback?