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MOREHEAD, Ky– Lawson Page is pumped for the upcoming college football season. The 6-2 redshirt senior is entering his second year as Morehead State’s starting quarterback, with the confidence and swagger needed to lead a winning football team. |
“Coach (Matt) Rhodes (strength and conditioning) has a saying, ‘In order for you to be confident, you have to be prepared’-and for the past five years, I’ve prepared myself for this moment,” Page said. “And I feed off the confidence of my fellow players and coaches. This team feels it has something to prove. We have a huge chip on our shoulders. We’re ready to play football.”
The Shelbyville, Ky., native earned the respect of coaches and teammates alike in 2017, throwing for 2,682 yards and 21 touchdowns while rushing for another 298 and four scores. He entered spring practice atop the depth chart and did everything necessary to lock up his starting job.
“Lawson is our leader and field general-he’s the total package,” MSU Head Football Coach Rob Tenyer said. “He won the position early in the spring by working hard and investing time to improve his game. He’s gotten bigger, stronger and faster in the process. He’s a winner and understands what it takes to get it done.”
Page credits his intense desire to win to his father Frank, who was a standout athlete at then Brescia College (now university) in Owensboro in the 1980’s. At 6-3, Frank was a wide receiver in football and forward on the basketball team.
“He taught me everything about being a leader and how to give it everything you’ve got,” Page said. “He’s always been my biggest fan and supporter. Even when I was a redshirt freshman and didn’t play, he’d still drive an hour and 45 minutes to Morehead to attend morning practice. He’d be the only one sitting in the stands, but that was his way of spending time with me and supporting me. That meant a lot.”
Frank had watched his son win big at the prep level, leading Collins High School to a KHSAA Class 4A runner-up finish in 2012 before claiming the state championship in 2013. He threw for 7,772 yards and 98 touchdowns in his career and was named the 4A Player of the Year and Honorable Mention All-State.
While playing college football has not been easy, it has molded Page into the student-athlete he is today. As a redshirt freshman in 2015, he ran the scout team offense but didn’t play in single game snap. He then earned his way to a “Wildcat” third and fourth down QB the following season, tying for the team-lead with seven TD’s.
After earning the starting nod during his junior season, Page refused to be satisfied. He decided to stay on campus this summer with approximately 60 other players, developing bonds and getting in extra work-which pleased the MSU head coach.
“Coach Tenyer and I have a great relationship,” Page said of his head coach and offensive coordinator. “He’s a passionate guy and an elite competitor. Whatever he asks of me, I’m going to do it. He expects a lot, but I love it. ”
Despite being a part of only one winning season during his time at MSU (7-4 in 2015), Page is extremely optimistic about the Eagles’ prospects this time around.
“I think we’re ready to shock the world. We have the best group of receivers and running backs since I’ve been here and our O-line is playing at a high level. It’s all about playing loose and confident and being accountable to each other.”
As for the Thursday season opener in Richmond versus the EKU Colonels, MSU’s oldest and biggest rival-Page says he can hardly wait to take the field.
“I love the challenge of that type of competition. We’re going in with nothing to lose and ready to give it all we’ve got. There’s no fear in this team.”
