The challenge for Darius Wade this season was embracing a role as Boston College’s backup quarterback even though he lost the job as the starter through no fault of his own.

A year ago, he was handed the keys to the Eagles offense, taking the reins from dual-threat Tyler Murphy. Coach Steve Addazio had so much faith in Wade that he essentially had no proven backup for him.

But Wade’s time under center lasted all of three games. A broken ankle against Florida State ended his season, and when injuries continued to decimate the Eagles at quarterback, Addazio had no choice but to address the position in the offseason by bringing in graduate transfer Patrick Towles from Kentucky.

That meant that when Wade worked his way back, he would be in competition for a job that was once his.

After Towles won the job in preseason, Wade never sulked. With BC trying to recover from a brutal 3-9 season a year ago, the last thing he could afford to be was selfish.

“It’s tough because kind of just being there, tasting it, and being kind of stripped away through an unfortunate injury is definitely . . . unfortunate,’’ said Wade.

“But I mean, that’s what happens, it’s college football. You definitely have to keep a positive attitude. It’s tough, and everyone — especially in today’s world where everyone wants to be selfish, ‘it’s all about me,’ ‘I want to play now’ — you kind of have to do what’s best for the team.’’

He accepted a different role and stayed at the ready in case he were needed.

When a hamstring injury hobbled Towles last week in the fourth quarter of BC’s 28-20 loss to Syracuse, that time came. Wade completed 3 of 6 passes for 19 yards in fill-in duty.

With Towles’s status for Saturday’s game at North Carolina State uncertain, Wade is preparing to step in again.

“Every week, just go into it like I have an opportunity to play and I’ll always have to be ready because football is just like that,’’ Wade said. “You never know what can happen at any moment, so you always have to be ready.

“So every week I just kept trying to get better. This week it’s just a little more apparent that this could be my week. So I’ve just got to make sure I step up and I’m ready for the challenge.’’

There admittedly was a transition from being a starter to a backup.

“The mentality, it’s different,’’ Wade said. “I’ve been through both phases, being the backup and being the starter. It’s kind of tough, because you have to be ready at every moment. So it’s hard not getting all the first-team reps but still having to be ready to be with the first team at any given moment.

“So it’s kind of just a mental game, always being able to kind of take the mental reps and still trying to exude some leadership while you’re not necessarily the guy.’’

With Towles sidelined during practice for much of the week, Wade practiced with the first team. He’s seen limited action this season — mostly in the fourth quarter of games that had gotten out of hand — completing 7 of 14 passes for 76 yards.

“I definitely think I did [get enough snaps],’’ he said. “I’ve been fortunate enough that for most of the weeks — even if it’s in the fourth quarter — I’ve had a chance to go and get some snaps and get some live reps.

“That’s always very valuable and good experience, so I feel like I’ve definitely had enough. And last year starting, I definitely had enough live game reps to be ready.’’

The similarity in skill sets between Towles and Wade means the game plan wouldn’t change dramatically.

“They really are quite similar in a lot of ways,’’ said Addazio. “Pat can really throw and run and he’s big. Darius can run and throw. Darius is a little quicker change-of-direction, so you can do a couple more things with that.

“But they’re both guys that are throwers that can run. They run differently. Pat is more of a power runner, a bigger guy. Darius is more of a change-direction quick guy, and Anthony is a powerful guy, as well, Anthony Brown. He’s just got a rocket arm and a quick release. They’re all somewhat similar but different.’’

Addazio said Towles’s availability will be a game-time decision, but as he’s done all season, Wade is preparing as if he’ll be starting under center.

“I felt like I was just getting warmed up last year and then early in the season got taken out,’’ he said. “Now I’ve got a chance to get back out there and be out there with the guys, so I’m very excited.’’

Julian Benbow can be reached at jbenbow@globe.com.