Chance Nolan will be QB1 for the Beavers once again this season.

Oregon State head coach Jonathan Smith announced on Monday that Nolan, a fifth-year junior, will lead the team out when it opens the season Saturday night against Boise State. Nolan worked as the team’s starter in each of the final 12 games last season, taking over for Sam Noyer at halftime of the opener against Purdue.

“Week 2, Week 3 of camp he started playing at a really high level,” Smith told reporters on Monday. “You could see his confidence, his comfort in the scheme, understanding what we’re trying to accomplish, being a little bit more accurate, taking care of the football.”

Smith said the quarterback battle was something the room needed. Tristan Gebbia — named a captain last week for the third consecutive season — and Ben Gulbranson pushed Nolan in camp, and he had to straight-up earn the job again. But Nolan gives the Beavers the best chance to win and put points on the board, Smith said.

The 6-foot-3, 209-pound Nolan threw for 2,677 yards and 19 touchdowns last season while adding 286 yards and three scores on the ground.

Gebbia and Gulbranson will battle each week for the backup spot on Saturdays.

Another note about the team’s depth chart: freshman running back Damien Martinez will open the year as the No. 3 guy in the backfield. After a strong performance in the spring and consistency in the summer, it seemed like the first-year back could emerge as the lead ball-carrier, but Deshaun Fenwick and Trey Lowe were able to hold him off. They were co-No. 1 on the two-deep released Monday.

BeaverBlitz’s Carter Bahns shared the depth chart on Twitter.

The Beavers begin the year against Boise State at home on Saturday, with kickoff set for 7:30 p.m. PT on ESPN.

You can watch Smith’s full Monday press conference below: