GREENVILLE — The last snap Kurt Benkert took in a live game left him with a bitter taste in his mouth and a chip on his shoulder.

Starting quarterback Shane Carden trotted off the field to the surprise of everyone but those who had seen the play executed in pre-bowl-game practices. The then-redshirt freshman took a quarterback draw with hopes of putting the Pirates within one touchdown of Florida during the second quarter of the Birmingham Bowl last December. The play ended with Benkert getting folded over and fumbling the ball on the Gators’ goal line. The Pirates eventually lost, 28-20.

“I feel like me fumbling on my very last play of the season and then having to go into a whole offseason with that being my last play, it’s really helped fuel me and it’s on my mind all the time — that was my last play,” said Benkert at the East Carolina’s media day.

Luckily, Benkert won’t have to wait much longer to put a new performance in the mind of Pirate fans. Head coach Ruffin McNeill announced Wednesday that the Cape Coral, Fla., native will be ECU’s starting quarterback opening night against Towson.

“Just like every position out here, that position will have to be earned continuously, everyday — day in, day out,” said McNeill after Wednesday’s practice. “All the quarterbacks competed well, Blake Kemp and Cody (Keith) as well, and the young guy, John (Jacobs), has really been coming on. So we’re going in that direction.”

Ultimately, with the first game just under two weeks away, it was time to start dividing practice reps more efficiently and finding a starter to groom.

Offensive coordinator Dave Nichol, who also serves as the team’s quarterbacks coach, watched the battle closely and didn’t see much separation between the three quarterbacks.

“I thought (the position battle) was pretty close, which is good because they’re all smart, heady guys that are motivated and want to win,” said Nichol. “(Benkert’s) overall knowledge of the offense, which again is good throughout the room, his skill set, his intelligence that really set him apart.”

Benkert struggled in the Pirates first fall scrimmage, as he threw an interception on 3-for-15 passing for 13 yards.

More than being named the official starter for opening night, Benkert felt that his poor performance helped him settle down and play more calmly.

“Honestly, I felt myself relax a bit more after the scrimmage because it couldn’t get much worse than that,” said Benkert through a laugh. “After that scrimmage I was just like ‘you know what, I’m going to come out here, I’m going to play, I’m going to have fun and whatever happens, happens and it started paying dividends.”

Benkert is comfortable with Nichol who will act as the offense’s play caller for the first time this season. The redshirt sophomore, who is now on his third year in the ECU program, has seen the play calling change slightly in practice since he was named the starter.

“I’ve noticed a little more of playing to my strengths, or calling to my strengths and not just calling these random plays as much. But he’s trying to incorporate what I’m good at a little more so that’s fun,” Benkert said.

Benkert is matched with a group of standout receivers from his recruiting class that have spoken very highly of the fresh-faced 20-year-old.

Junior outside receiver Davon Grayson reflected on this past summer where he worked endlessly with his new quarterback.

“I came in with Kurt and we’ve been grinding beside each other since we both got here. When the gate was closed we were hopping it to get in and get that time on the field in so I have the most respect for Kurt and I know he’ll lead this team,” said Grayson.

Jimmy Williams, a Washington High School standout, was a walk-on receiver in the talented junior class and worked often with Benkert during the summer months to get timing down and find a stride with what ended up becoming the starting quarterback.

“We threw a couple times every week so working with Kurt was really good,” said Williams during the Pirates’ media day. “Plus, me and Kurt came in together so we’ve always been around and we’ve already worked together so I’d say that I have a really high comfort level with Kurt.”

Benkert and the Pirates will have a little less than two weeks to prepare for the season opener against Towson, which kicks off at 6 p.m. on Sept. 5.