Andy Roesch is new to all of this. He's new to the questions. He is new to the cameras, and he's new to a spot in the starting lineup.
He knows, though, that after being named Ball State's starting quarterback for Saturday's game against Toledo, he needs to get used to it.
"I guess it comes with the duty," the junior said.
Roesch hasn't had this big of duty since he came to Ball State in 1999. The Galion, Ohio native was redshirted that season and played sparingly in his next two years.
In his two years on the roster, Roesch has played in three games and has thrown only six passes. Talmadge Hill, the player Roesch will replace, threw 46 last week alone.
So far this season Hill has connected on 61 percent of his passes, good enough for 11th in the entire nation. That is one reason why Roesch was surprised when head coach Bill Lynch delivered the news to him.
"I was overwhelmed," Roesch said quietly. "I was like, 'Wow!'"
Lynch said the change was not a reflection on Hill's performance, but rather a direct result of Roesch's strong play in practice.
"We know what kind of game Andy will play Saturday," Lynch said.
Lynch then broke the news to Hill who, according to Lynch, took the announcement "like a good team player."
Hill, however, refused to comment on the coach's decision.
Lynch made the switch quietly. Roesch said the coach didn't even address the team.
"They probably noticed when I was taking all the snaps (in practice Tuesday)," Roesch said. "Then the guys were like, 'Hey, are you starting?'"
The quiet way Roesch came into this role matches his demeanor. At a photo shoot, he was asked why he didn't have a meaner look.
"I guess that's just not my style," he said.
Roesch's countenance isn't the only change Ball State's offense will have to endure. He didn't describe his style as better or worse than Hill's, but he did admit that they contrast. Roesch says his favorite thing to do is throw the deep ball. He says he can toss the pigskin 50 to 60 yards accurately. Hill has struggled this year going long. His longest pass on the year was 38 yards, and a few of Hill's deep balls this season have ended up in the hands of the opposing team.
Roesch also admitted that he is not as swift afoot as his teammate.
"I can't run like he does," Roesch said, "but I know when to throw the ball away in those situations."
The pressure on Hill will be added because of the situation Ball State is in now. The team began the Mid-American Conference season with a loss against Northern Illinois last week. Roesch will be entering the lineup in a must-win situation.
Last season the MAC West champion had only one loss. In fact three teams, including Ball State and Toledo, tied for the title. One more conference loss could very well end Ball State's chances at returning to the top of its division.
"It's an important game," Roesch said, "but I like it like that."
Roesch also likes the fact that he is returning to his home state for the affair. He said he would rather start for the first time in Toledo, where he is only a few hours from his hometown.
The first people Roesch called after hearing about his promotion were his parents.
"They were coming to the game anyway," Roesch said, "but know there are a lot more people coming."
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