COLUMBUS -- Ohio State will start 25-year-old senior Joe Bauserman at quarterback in Saturday's season-opener against Akron, according to Buckeyes head coach Luke Fickell.

While meeting with the media in advance of his first game as Ohio State's new field boss, Fickell said Tuesday that experience was the essential deciding factor between Bauserman and freshman Braxton Miller as the two have competed for the starting job in fall camp. Fickell said that he expects both will see a considerable amount of action against the Zips.

"We know we’re going to need them both," Fickell said. "We’re trying to create competition. It happens everywhere, but it's just a little more visible at the quarterback position."

Fickell said Bauserman and Miller are on board with the shared duty approach.

"We sat down with both of those guys and made sure they understand we need them both," Fickell said. "I haven’t seen any negative effects. I feel good about them handling it."

Bauserman came to Ohio State after a stint as a pitcher in minor league baseball and served as the primary backup to starter Terrelle Pryor for the past two seasons, while Miller arrived last January as one of the most sought-after high school players in the country.

First Published August 30, 2011, 4:27 p.m.