Ask Grant Gregory what his strengths are as a quarterback, and he instead provides a synopsis of his collegiate career.

Kansas State quarterback Grant Gregory, a sixth-year senior at his third school, made his first career start last week and led the Wildcats to a victory.

“I’m never going to give up, and I feel like there’s always a chance,” he said earlier this week. “If there’s still time on the clock, there’s still an opportunity to win the game.”

There were times when Gregory’s career seemed destined for a dead end. Like when he got hurt during his freshman season at Indiana and then was asked to switch to receiver, or when he transferred to South Florida only to be stuck behind a proven winner in Matt Grothe.

There was yet another obstacle at Gregory’s third school, Kansas State, earlier this season. He was mostly limited to spot duty behind starter Carson Coffman in the Wildcats’ first four games.

But recently the 23-year-old, sixth-year senior finally got the opportunity to prove himself. Gregory made his first career start in last week’s Big 12 Conference opener against Iowa State, playing the entire game and accounting for all three of the Wildcats’ touchdowns in a 24-23 win.

“I was telling people after the game it was the first time since high school I felt like I contributed to a team’s victory, and that’s why you play,” said the 6-foot-1, 210-pound Gregory, who earned Big 12 offensive player of the week honors. “It was an amazing feeling to finally do that after six years.”

K-State coach Bill Snyder said he “really felt wonderful” for Gregory, who already holds two undergraduate degrees and is working on a masters. Snyder described him as an “awfully good young person” with solid values, a strong work ethic and a team-first attitude.

Of Gregory’s performance last Saturday – he completed 16 of 23 passes for 206 yards and two TDs, and rushed for another 29 yards and a score – Snyder said he “really did some very, very positive things in the ballgame and created some big plays for us, which was important for us to have.”

Despite all that, Snyder isn’t quite ready to hand Gregory the keys to his offense. The coach said he also saw some deficiencies in Gregory’s game, such as an interception and some other poor decisions, and as of Wednesday night Snyder said he hadn’t decided on a starter for today’s game at Texas Tech.

Snyder said he wants Coffman and Gregory to remain in a weekly competition, and he’d prefer for both of them to play – just like they did in three of K-State’s first four games.

“That’s never predetermined. That’s something that takes place as the game unfolds, so I couldn’t answer that question until after we’ve done it,” Snyder said. “Would I like for both to be able to play? Yes. They’re both good guys, both have worked extremely hard and both deserve to be on the field.”

Iowa State coach Paul Rhoads said it was not a shock to see Gregory on the field last week, but the Cyclones “were a little surprised to see him start.” Tech defensive coordinator Ruffin McNeill said he wouldn’t be caught off guard if both quarterbacks play today, and that preparing for one is no different than game-planning for the other.

“I’m not sure if coach Snyder made a quarterback change or what have you, but I’m not really concerned with that,” said McNeill, who added that Coffman and Gregory have similar skill sets. “When you watch film, both do a good job running the offense, and the plays do not change with the quarterback.”

Gregory said he leaves the pocket and runs “a little more” than the 6-3, 212-pound Coffman, who “throws it a little better,” according to Gregory. Coffman has passed for 684 yards this season with two touchdowns and four interceptions, and he’s rushed for 73 yards and two TDs.

Gregory, who said he didn’t learn of his start last week until about an hour before kickoff, hopes to get another opportunity. But he knows the decision is out of his hands, and he said he and Coffman will remain supportive of each other either way.

“Neither of us have earned that right, and you’ve got to earn the right be on the field on Saturday,” Gregory said early this week. “I had a decent game, and hopefully I get to play (today) and don’t do anything to mess it up. Hopefully I get on the field and have a good game and help us pull out a victory.”

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