With the team's leading rusher suspended for the game, Ball State tailbacks Charles Wynn and Scott Blair filled the void nicely. Wynn rushed for 69 yards and a touchdown while Blair pounded out 53 more on the ground for the Cardinals.
Freshman running back Adell Givens was suspended prior to the game for a violation of team rules. Givens leads the team with 816 rushing yards this season, including five touchdowns. He has rushed for over 100 yards in four straight games.
"He didn't do some things I'd like him to do," Hoke said, declining to specify on the exact nature of the one-game suspension.
Blair and Wynn did a good job filling replacing Givens, especially since neither saw any action in the previous game against Northern Illinois. Wynn did not get any carries in the game, while Blair sat out with an injury.
Blair also missed the game against Akron. His return was timely, as it was the final home game for the senior. Blair responded by producing his second best game of the season, rushing for 53 yards on 10 carries.
Wynn had his best game of the season, rushing for 10 more yards than his previous best against Western Michigan. He said he felt no added pressure knowing that Givens wouldn't play.
"There's no pressure, just get the ball and run it," Wynn said. "If the hole is there, hit it. (The) O line did a great job tonight."
The duo of Wynn and Blair combined for 122 yards, just 14 shy of the total Givens produced against Northern Illinois.
"They're both pretty effective," Hoke said. "They're both similar in some ways in their running style, but I think they see things a little differently -- vision wise. What God gave them, they need to run in that style, not try to be somebody they're not."
The Cards also got an added boost on the ground on a fake punt play. BSU faced fourth and seven on its own 36-yard line midway through the second quarter when sophomore Brad Salyer took a direct snap. Salyer rumbled for 36 yards into Central Florida territory. Any momentum from the big gain was stopped on the next play as Cardinal quarterback Joey Lynch was picked off.
Read More
Three Air Jam teams take home the win
October 12, 2012Nineteen teams shimmied, shook and flipped for a sold out John R. Emens Auditorium on Thursday night during the 25th annual Air Jam.
Bill Clinton Speaks at North Central High School
October 12, 2012Former President's Speech Could Have Effect on State Senate Race
