Troy has named Will “Goose” Crowder as its starting quarterback for the Aug. 31 season-opener vs. Nevada.

Crowder, who served as the Trojans’ top backup to departed senior Gunnar Watson last season, beat out sophomore Tucker Kilcrease, Gardner-Webb transfer Matthew Caldwell and freshman Caleb McCreary for the starting job. A junior from Gardendale, Crowder completed 9 of 13 passes for 94 yards and a touchdown in mostly mop-up duty last season.

Crowder previously spent two seasons at West Virginia, where he worked under not only former Troy head coach Neal Brown but current offensive coordinator Sean Reagan. In three games with the Mountaineers, he completed all eight of his passes for 85 yards and a touchdown.

Troy won the Sun Belt Conference each of the last two seasons, but is looking to replace nine starters on offense and 10 on defense under first-year coach Gerad Parker. Watson played six years with the Trojans and started parts or all of four, finishing his career with 10,275 yards and 65 touchdowns passing.

Troy’s opener vs. Nevada kicks off at 6 p.m. Aug. 31 at Veterans Memorial Stadium. The game will stream live via ESPN+.