With a season-ending injury, winless record and disappointing stat line, it's been a nightmarish start to Ball State quarterback Kelly Page's career.
Page had high expectations placed on him when he replaced current NFL quarterback Nate Davis as the Cardinals starter. Fans wanted him to continue where Davis finished, or at least close to it. Instead, he's now battling freshman Keith Wenning for his starting job during fall camp.
"When competition comes about, it brings out the best in you," Page said. "Bringing [Wenning] in has made me a better player, and I give him credit for that. I think he's definitely brought out the best qualities in me."
Page's best qualities were rarely seen last fall.
Although he arrived at Ball State as a heralded recruit, Page had seven touchdown passes against nine interceptions for 1,019 passing yards before suffering a season-ending thumb injury. His 96.5 efficiency rating didn't crack the top 10 of the 13 Mid-American Conference starting quarterbacks. He has never won a game in seven starts.
Page, a redshirt sophomore, received almost all the first-team reps during camp. Coach Stan Parrish said Page hasn't been great in practices, and that he's looked outmatched at times against Ball State's superior defense. Parrish said he plans to run 20 to 25 plays per game in the wildcat formation, which doesn't use a traditional quarterback.
But Parrish said his quarterback is "significantly better" than last season, primarily because of experience. Page will likely be the starter when the team opens its season Sept. 2 against Southeast Missouri State, and Wenning is expected to be his backup.
"We'll see," Parrish said. "It's all about what he puts on film [in practice]. The best guy is going to start the opening game.
"When he's in position, he's got to make plays."
If Page doesn't, Wenning will quickly start. The true freshman impressed coaches after a small handful of practices. Although he's struggled handling snaps and adjusting to the speed of college football, Parrish said Wenning has natural touch, maturity and an ability to improvise when plays break down.
For all the praise he gave Page, Parrish had a different tone when discussing Wenning. Parrish compared him to Davis and called him one of the best freshmen he's had at Ball State.
"He has a tremendous amount of talent, and he has a humbleness to him," Parrish said. "I think the guys will gravitate to a guy like that. I put him under the gun for a young guy. He's calm. He handles pressure pretty well. He hasn't looked like a high school guy."
On the surface, the competition could easily create a rift between the returning starter and the young upstart. Page said he feels as if the Cardinals are his team and that he's ready to lead them to success. Wenning said he'd like to play this season if the coaches call on him.
The two quarterbacks, who were suitemates during camp, seem to be getting along.
"We don't see it as a competition, even though it is pushing each other," Wenning said. "It's a good relationship between us. I'm going to do whatever I can to help this team be successful, if that means play or [staying] on the sideline helping Kelly."
Whatever happens, Page said he wants to wake up from last season's nightmare.
"I want to lead the team to a lot of victories," he said. "Our No. 1 goal is to win a [MAC] championship. That's why I came to Ball State, to win a championship."
Read More
Three Air Jam teams take home the win
October 12, 2012Nineteen teams shimmied, shook and flipped for a sold out John R. Emens Auditorium on Thursday night during the 25th annual Air Jam.
Bill Clinton Speaks at North Central High School
October 12, 2012Former President's Speech Could Have Effect on State Senate Race
