Florham Park, NJ (My Sportsbook) - The New York Jets have named rookie Mark Sanchez as their starting quarterback for the season opener September 13 against the Houston Texans.

The decision to go with Sanchez over fourth-year pro Kellen Clemens was made Wednesday morning by first-year head coach Rex Ryan, who later held a news conference to announce the move.

"I made the decision to go with Mark Sanchez as our starting quarterback. That's not a slight to Kellen Clemens at all. I think we can win with Kellen, also as a quarterback," Ryan explained. "Right now I think Mark gives us the best opportunity to win. This was strictly my decision."

Sanchez did little to persuade Ryan in Monday's 24-23 loss to the Ravens, tossing an interception that was returned for a touchdown on his first pass attempt and finishing 3-of-8 for 43 yards. Sanchez, though, did regroup to throw a TD pass in the team's third preseason tilt.

Clemens was in competition with Sanchez for the starting gig but also struggled against Baltimore. He was 5-of-10 on his attempts for 60 yards with an interception and a 28-yard touchdown pass.

Sanchez, the fifth overall pick in the 2009 NFL Draft, inked a five-year contract believed to be worth $60 million, with $28 million of that guaranteed. The deal made Sanchez the highest-paid player in Jets history.

The USC product was 241-for-366 with 10 interceptions for a 65.8 completion percentage with 3,207 yards and 34 touchdowns last year while leading the Trojans to a 12-1 record and a Rose Bowl victory over Penn State.