MOBILE, Ala. - Fredi Knighten didn’t see the play that might ultimately give him the most playing time he’s seen as a college quarterback.
It came Nov. 30, in the second quarter against Western Kentucky, while Knighten was watching Arkansas State’s receivers trying to get open against the Hilltoppers’ secondary.
Knighten missed starting quarterback Adam Kennedy going down with a dislocated kneecap and torn patellar tendon.
“I said, ‘He’s going to get up, don’t worry,’ ” Knighten recalled Thursday.
When he didn’t, Knighten came in and relieved Kennedy for 2 1/2 quarters, leading a touchdown drive on his first series and finishing with 108 yards of total offense in ASU’s 34-31 loss in Bowling Green, Ky.
The Red Wolves may have lost, but Knighten gained some valuable game-day experience that could help Sunday when ASU (7-5) plays Ball State (10-2) in the GoDaddy Bowl at Ladd-Peebles Stadium.
Kennedy said after Thursday’s practice at the University of South Alabama that his knee feels good some days and bad other days. It was a bit sore and swollen following Thursday’s workout.
If Kennedy can’t go, Knighten will get another chance. It’s an opportunity he has been waiting on since arriving at ASU as a Parade All-American out of Pulaski Academy in Little Rock, and one that ASU coaches have said they don’t mind giving Knighten based on what they saw him do against Western Kentucky.
“We’re ready either way,” said Bush Hamdan, ASU’s co-offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach. “Fredi has done some good things for us. The biggest thing about Fredi for us is putting him in good situations to display what he can do best. If we do that, I think people know that he’s got a lot of ability on every play.”
A good performance could do quite a bit for Knighten.
Kennedy’s eligibility will be exhausted following Sunday’s game, meaning the search for a starting quarterback for 2014 will begin in spring practice. Knighten will be the only one in the group with any game experience.
Knighten isn’t expecting to win the starting job Sunday, considering none of ASU’s coaches are expected to be kept on by Blake Anderson, who was hired recently to replace Bryan Harsin. But Anderson is expected to bein attendance, which would give Knighten an opportunity to make a good first impression if he plays.
“If I go out and play well, I think it’s a heck of a start to next season,” Knighten said.
First comes the final opportunity in a sophomore season that has been a bit unpredictable.
It started with coaches raving about Knighten’s athletic ability and how it would provide him opportunities even though Kennedy won the starting job in August. Then, Knighten was seen streaking down the right sideline at Liberty Bank Stadium in Jonesboro for 79 yards in the season opener against Arkansas-Pine Bluff, when he scored two touchdowns.
Knighten’s niche in the offense began to shrink when ASU entered Sun Belt Conference play. He didn’t play at all in November victories against Texas State and Georgia State, and by the time he relieved Kennedy against Western Kentucky he hadn’t thrown a pass in a game in four weeks.
“He was there supporting me, never saying anything negative or anything like that,” Kennedy said. “But I know he was disappointed. There’s no doubt about it.”
Kennedy said Knighten’s preparation while he has been out of action has highlighted his improvements as a passer. Hamdan has seen it, too. Hamdan said Knighten’s biggest priority is learning how to maneuver in the pocket to find throwing lanes, which is essential because he is just 5-10.
“I think he’s got plenty of arm strength,” Hamdan said. “He really does, and I think he shows it on the move that he can make the throws.”
So Knighten has the confidence from his coaches to give him a chance Sunday night if he’s needed, and it could give him a leg up for next fall.
“We want to go out, have a good finish to the year,” Knighten said. “Show what we can do and have a good start heading into spring ball.”
Sports, Pages 17 on 01/03/2014