Freshman quarterback Nicco Stepina knows what it is like to not have something go his way.

This can go for his life, or the 24-20 loss the Millikin Big Blue Football team had last Saturday. Regardless of going 26-41 passing with 257 yards and two touchdowns with zero interceptions, the Big Blue defense was not able to make up the difference in the game.

That has not stopped Stepina from doing his thing on the field though. Knowing what heartbreak is like, Stepina has always had somewhat of a chip on his shoulder. After all, this is the kid who was on scholarship and enlisted into the Army at West Point.

Before he was even able to start his freshman year he got a call that would change the course of his projected path.

“It was definitely something that I wasn’t looking forward to,” Stepina said. During the weekend of his graduation, Stepina was told he had a medical problem that would disallow his ability to be enlisted. This changed Stepina’s destination to a Division II school in North Carolina. Starting out his first semester there, he was able to make the transition pretty smoothly, but soon came to realize that he was too far from home. It was after a final transfer of schools that he ended up at Millikin University.

“It’s been a wild ride,” Stepina said. “I’m just glad that I’m still able to play football and help whatever team I’m on.”

Starting as a Division I football player for the Army and being brought down to an eventual Division III player at little known Millikin was never something that Stepina anticipated. Having being from a small town, going to a college like Army was something that Stepina knew could do something special. When those dreams were taken away, there was definitely some remorse, but Stepina was still grateful for the opportunity.

“It hurts to think about at times,” Stepina said, “Since then though I have learned to play with a chip on my shoulder.” Stepina also went on to say he “still pays attention and loves Army as a school.”

While knowing his potential, Stepina has taken a role that most would not — sharing snaps with senior quarterback Nick Pippin. When asked about the relationship between the two, Stepina said, “He’s certainly helped me out a lot and I’m fortunate enough to be able to help him out as well. We’re really good friends on and off the field and the completion has been enough to make us both better.”

Stepina’s journey has made him more humble of a player and has allowed him to see things in a different perspective.

“My first individual goals are the team goals,” Stepina said. With a fresh mind and attitude Stepina hopes to lead the Big Blue to a victory this Homecoming weekend against North Central. When asked about his mentality before a game Stepina said, “I like to stay relaxed before games. I try to play some Call of Duty and just spend some time with friends. There’s nothing too special I like to do before games.”

With a kid that so much that has happened in his life, Stepina has the right attitude and hopefully just enough of a chip to lead the Big Blue to victory this Saturday.