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QB Wells to start for YSU, but Nania will play
By Joe Scalzo
YOUNGSTOWN
Freshman quarterback Hunter Wells gave himself a C-minus for his first Missouri Valley game.
On Saturday, Youngstown State coach Eric Wolford will give him another chance to make the grade.
After playing the final three quarters of last week’s 30-24 loss to Western Illinois Wells will make his second career start in Saturday’s home game against Southern Illinois.
Last week’s starter, junior Dante Nania, will also play, Wolford said.
“Both those guys can do some things,” Wolford said. “We’ve got certain things we want to do with certain guys. Could be middle of a drive or middle of a series or based on down and distance and those kinds of things.
“Both those guys will play and we look forward to it.”
Nania led YSU to a field goal in his first two possessions against the Leathernecks before the Penguins inserted Wells, who led them on touchdown drives in his first two possessions. Wells finished 14 of 25 for 187 yards and a TD while Nania was 2 for 2 for 9 yards, mostly handing off.
“I played a little below average,” said Wells, who started and threw for four touchdowns in a Week 3 win over Butler when Nania was injured. “I made a lot of mistakes and I need to get better and correct them.”
Wolford said the plan was to rotate both quarterbacks last week, but the coaches decided to stay with Wells because of his fast start. Wells said knowing he will start doesn’t change his preparation.
“You’ve always got to prepare like you’re going to start,” he said.
When asked about the plan to rotate quarterbacks, Wells said, “I’m here to do whatever helps the team win. I support anything Dante does and he supports anything I do. It’s not weird between us as far as I’m concerned.”
Nania beat out Wells and redshirt freshman Ricky Davis for the starting job in training camp and has completed 50 of 87 passes for 784 yards with six TDs and one interception. He has also rushed 24 times for 68 yards. Wells is 32 of 49 for 526 yards, five TDs and no interceptions.
Wolford said Nania was “fine” after hearing the decision.
“He’s a team player; that’s what he is about,” Wolford said. “Same way Ricky Davis was when he ended up getting passed up by Hunter [in training camp]. We don’t have selfish guys. We have guys that are selfless and about being a team player.”
This is Wolford’s first experience with a quarterback controversy — Kurt Hess started all 45 games of his first four years — and he said he understands the locker room may have divided loyalties.
“Obviously certain players are attracted to certain players and they have friends and relationships, but you have to do what’s best for the team,” Wolford said. “That’s what this is about, what you feel gives you the best chance to win. That will always be the case.
“It comes down to one thing. It’s about winning.”
Senior tight end Nate Adams said the offense will support whomever the coaches decide to play.
“Whoever’s in there, we’re not going to bat an eye,” he said. “They both get reps throughout the week. I wouldn’t say it changes how I play or anybody plays. I’m comfortable with both of them, so whoever’s in there we’ll make the best of it and go from there.”