Ball State backup enters spotlight, makes highlights

• Kelly Page scored two touchdowns in his first three snaps at quarterback this season
• He expected his only senior night appearance would occur in a pre-game ceremony
• Partly thanks to a rarely used player in his final game Ball State romped past Ohio, 52-27

MUNCIE, Ind. – Behold, a college football fairy tale ...

It is senior night at Ball State on Wednesday, and backup quarterback Kelly Page is making his last home appearance. Then again, that's using the term ``appearance'' loosely, because he has not taken a snap all season, and why should this game be any different?

But starter Keith Wenning strains his Achilles tendon in the second quarter and suddenly Page is in the oddest place – standing behind center in a live game.

First time he touches the football, he fakes a handoff and runs seven yards for a touchdown. Third play, he throws a short touchdown pass. Later, another touchdown pass, and in the end, a 52-27 rout of Ohio. One man's season opener on senior night, just in time.

Then he goes to hug his mother, the one who has come from Texas with no guarantee of seeing anything except her son getting introduced before the game.

No wonder he fights tears afterward, trying to describe it all.

``Never in my wildest dreams did I ever think this would happen,'' he says, standing in the hallway of the football complex, the new big man on campus.

``Those of you who watch football know that it is not easy to do what he just did,'' coach Pete Lembo says.

Not every heartfelt drama is found in the BCS standings.

The season was already turning special for Ball State, the Cardinals headed to one bowl or another with an 8-3 record. The defeats came to Clemson, Kent State and Northern Illinois, three teams with a combined record of 28-3. Lembo has done a major refurbishing job in his two years as coach. Four seasons ago, Ball State was 2-10.

But Wednesday was a nice plot twist that nobody saw coming, including the backup quarterback, with his 3.8 grade point average.

``It went through my head that yeah, we're going to smack these guys, and maybe I'll get some reps at the end,'' Page said. ``But nothing like this.''

Page started seven games as a redshirt freshman in 2009, saw less action the next year, even less the next. This season, Wenning was playing well, the Cardinals were winning, most of the games were close, so how was a backup ever going to get on the field?

``I was on the hands team (for an onside kick) at Central Michigan,'' Page said.

That can't be easy. Not a day of it. No bitterness or bad acting, though. It helped that Wenning and he are friends.

``I honestly think we have one of the best quarterbacks in the country,'' Page said. ``A lot has to do with the mindset that I have. My family raised me to be very even-headed and very humble. The thing is, I have a hundred brothers here that make that so much easier.''

And he'll always have Wednesday, from the touchdown in the beginning and the hug at the end.

``She told me that she loved me and that's ... '' Page said of mother Kim, before his voice trailed off. ``My mom's my backbone. My mom and dad have been there with me through everything in my life. I gave her a kiss on the check and told her loved her back. It was special.''

Could senior night get any better?