WEST LAFAYETTE - Breaking the huddle just off the sideline, Ball State ran onto the field at Ross-Ade Stadium field for its first play against Purdue. 54,124 people, or at least all the Cardinals fans in attendance, strained to see who would lead the offense.
A white jersey emblazoned with a red "10" emerged from the group. Coach Stan Parrish was sending freshman Keith Wenning out to start his first game, just a week after he led a second-half near comeback against Liberty. It had been a much-anticipated performance and was enough to dispose Kelly Page from his job as starting quarterback.
Earlier in the week, Parrish did not name a starting quarterback and seemed to be hesitant to let Wenning make his first start on the road against a Big Ten team.
After Ball State's 24-13 loss Saturday, though, Parrish admitted the decision had been made soon after seeing Wenning lead the Cardinals to 20 second-half points against the Flames.
"You've got to learn to start somewhere," Parrish said. "This is a tough venue, but he made some good plays."
Wenning wasn't as effective Saturday as he was a week before. He completed 11-of-21 passes for 89 yards and two interceptions. He was sacked three times and was often under heavy pressure from the Boilermakers defense.
Wenning wasn't available for comment after the game.
A hit from defensive end Ryan Kerrigan knocked Wenning out of the game. In the fourth quarter, Kerrigan drove Wenning to the turf just after he released the ball. The pass was picked off, and as linebacker Jason Werner returned the interception, Wenning slowly struggled to his feet. Page replaced him on the next drive.
"He hit his [funny] bone," Parrish said. "It was a good time to put Kelly back in."
Page made the most of his drive, finishing with a 10-yard touchdown pass to Connor Ryan. It was Page's first touchdown of the year and the first of Ryan's career.
The sophomore quarterback made cameos throughout the game, coming in for a play and then heading back to the sidelines. Many of his plays were runs, though he did throw one pass before the last drive. He completed both his passes for 17 yards and rushed five times for 36 yards.
Ball State will release a depth chart today for Saturday's game at No. 18 Iowa, and it is a safe bet Wenning will be listed as the starter.
Parrish said the Cardinals will continue to use both quarterbacks.
"I like the way they're working together," he said. "We need both of them. It's a long haul. It's not for the faint of heart."
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