If there's a week the Ball State University running game gets going, this might be it.
On Saturday the Cardinals (1-4, 1-1 Mid-American Conference) will take on the University at Buffalo (1-3, 0-2 MAC) on the Bulls' homecoming, which will also be the first career road start for freshman quarterback Nate Davis.
Buffalo's defense is giving up 260.2 yards rushing per game, which is second to last in Division I-A. The Cardinals rushing offense is ranked 111th in I-A, so something will have to give. Running back Larry Bostic said the team is more concerned with itself than Buffalo's defense.
"When you look on paper, the stats really don't matter," he said. "It all boils down to who's going to play harder that day."
The Cardinals found some success on the ground last week using the draw play. The team ran for only 78 yards against Northern Illinois University, but only had 116 yards total in the previous three games combined. Bostic said Davis' arm strength will open up the draw because linebackers will be forced initially to drop back.
"The backs that we have, we're really shifty," Bostic said. "That's an advantage for us. [The draw] will be in the game plan and it should be a success for the rest of the season."
Hoke said Bostic will start against Buffalo but MiQuale Lewis will also see action.
"We've got to run the ball much better than we are," he said. "I think we're at 70 yards a game; that's not enough. We like to be at 130."
Buffalo will try to take advantage of Ball State's defense, which gives up 497.2 yards per game, dead last in I-A.
"It seems like we're giving up a lot of big plays on defense, and that sparks the other team's offense," Ball State defensive end Riley Larimore said. "It's mostly just a guy being out of place. You got to be able to fit the defense. We got to have every gap covered for and get guys where they need to be."
The Bulls' offensive leaders are quarterback Drew Willy and running back James Starks.
Willy is 71-of-118 for 687 yards and two touchdowns. He has also not thrown an interception. Willy and Davis are the only two quarterbacks in I-A who have thrown enough passes to qualify for the passer efficiency rating wihtout throwing an interception this year.
Davis is sixth in the nation with a 179.2 rating, while Willy is 77th with 114.7.
Starks ran 51 times for 227 yards and a touchdown as a freshman.
The Ball State passing attack is 7th in the nation, averaging 300.4 yards per game passing. The Cardinals' top target is sophomore tight end Darius Hill. He is tied with Bostic in receptions, catching 25 balls, but Hill has accumulated 453 yards and six touchdowns. He is also 11th in the nation in receiving yards per game (90.6).
"You don't want to be one dimensional in any phase," Hoke said. "Depending on what [the Buffalo defense] gives us, you got to take advantage."
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