With the departure of last season’s leading rusher, Ball State University will be relying on several new faces and one familiar one to lead the football team this season.
Larry Bostic returns after being injured during last year’s game at Purdue. Although he started the season as the No. 1 running back, he was forced to have surgery and sit out the remaining nine games after he tore his anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) when he planted his leg while trying to make a cutback on a two-yard loss on his 19th carry. It was his final play of the season after he rushed for a total of 114 yards on 30 carries.
“I’m really excited about the progress of Larry Bostic,” head coach Brady Hoke said. “Larry is ahead of schedule. I didn’t know where Larry would fit, and I don’t think the doctors did after the surgery. He really had a daggone good summer. That’s a plus for us.”
During Bostic’s recovery, the Cardinals’ ground attack got an unexpected boost from true freshman Adell Givens, who was named Mid-American Conference Freshman of the Year — just the fourth Cardinal in Ball State history to receive the award. He also was named to the All-MAC First Team and finished with 202 carries for 963 yards and six touchdowns. Hoke later had to throw him off the team for academic problems.
“Adell was a big part to the offense last year,” Charles Wynn, this year’s starting running back, said. “We’ve got guys who can step up and play. It’s a big loss, but at the same time, we’re going to make up for everything.”
Wynn will start the season as the Cardinals’ top ground attack threat after finishing with the second most rushing yards last year, behind Givens. In 47 carries, he finished with 247 yards and three touchdowns.
“I don’t feel any pressure,” he said. “I know I can run the ball; I know I’ve got guys in front of me who can block.”
Hoke said Wynn had a really good spring and is ready for this season.
“Charles [Wynn] has really learned how to run the football in his style and what kind of back he is,” Hoke said.
After starting last season as the No. 1 running back, Bostic will sit behind Wynn in the depth chart. Since he was a wide receiver during his first two years at Ball State, Bostic will be put in motion at running back to take advantage of his versatility, Hoke said.
“Larry [Bostic] is unique in he can give you some different looks at running back,” Hoke said. “Charles [Wynn] is 225 pounds. Larry [Bostic] is gonna be 185 pounds. They can change the momentum offensively for you and give the defense problems in matchups.”
Hoke also said the coaching staff would take a look at freshmen Nick Wedlow, Corey McGee and B.J. Hill, as well as redshirt freshman Jovens Degage. Junior Brenton Martin also returns after rushing three times for 35 yards.
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