Stan Parrish had watched Keith Wenning, his freshman starting quarterback, complete just one pass and throw two interceptions before he was lifted for backup Kelly Page at halftime Saturday.
Wenning hadn't looked at all like the same person who directed Ball State's upset at Central Michigan a week before. No, he looked a lot like a freshman in over his head during Ball State's 45-16 loss to Western Michigan on Homecoming.
Wenning wasn't the only thing that went wrong for the Cardinals. There wasn't a whole lot left for Parrish to do 20 minutes after the game except laugh about what his quarterback might have seen on his first two pass attempts, which almost seemed targeted for the Broncos' white jerseys.
"Are you saying I should get his vision checked for color vision or something?" Parrish asked. "I need to put a little humor in today, because you can shoot yourself over this one."
Parrish's task for this week is to make sure Wenning is able to put the worst game of his career behind him. Parrish said Wenning will be able to rebound and will stick with him as the starter Saturday against Eastern Michigan.
Wenning was not made available for comment after the game.
With any hint of quarterback controversy quelled, Wenning still has a lot to work on during practice. Parrish said part of the adjustment Wenning must make to the college game is learning when he can put a little more air on a pass and when he has to throw it hard over defenders.
"He still wants to float a lot of balls you've got to rope," Parrish said. "We had [wide receiver Jack] Tomlinson open, dialed up for a touchdown and he held the ball too long, which is a high-school trait where guys are open longer."
A similar experience Nate Davis had four years ago gives Parrish hope Wenning will be able to learn from his experience. Davis made the fourth start of his career against Western Michigan in 2006 and threw three interceptions in his first eight passes. Parrish removed him in favor of veteran Joey Lynch. While the Cardinals lost the game 41-27, the experience stuck with Davis.
"Nate used to laugh about that game as he got older," Parrish said. "He says, ‘I learned a lot that day' — about preparing, about the speed of the game, about everything."
If Wenning is going to grow up like Davis did after such a poor performance, Parrish knows it will be up to him to make sure it happens this week.
"I have no doubt Keith will bounce back. None," Parrish said. "We have to help him."
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