Unsuccessful running games are something that Ball State University and Miami University share this season.
This is reflected in the Cardinals' (2-6, 2-3 Mid-American Conference) and Red Hawks' (1-7, 1-3 MAC) records. Miami's running attack is statistically worse than Ball State's, averaging 76.6 yards a game to Ball State's 80.9.
The Red Hawks' leading rusher is tailback Brandon Murphy, who has accumulated 234 yards on the year.
"They're having a hard time running the football, so there are some similarities," Ball State coach Brady Hoke said. "They got the same issues with the running game. I'm sure [Miami coach] Shane [Montgomery] feels about the same way we do."
If there's a week the three-headed combination of Larry Bostic, B.J. Hill and Corey McGee could make a significant contribution, it's this week.
Miami gives up 162 yards per game on the ground, 91st in the nation. Hoke said the running game would be the point of emphasis this week.
"We want to pound the ball," Hoke said. "You got to practice better, you got to practice harder, you got to be tougher at the point of attack and you got to hit the holes."
The player hitting those holes is still to be determined. McGee got his first career start Saturday against Western Michigan, running for 21 yards on seven carries. Hill and Bostic combined for 14 yards. Including the nine sacks recorded by the Broncos, Ball State netted nine yards total on the ground against Western Michigan.
The offensive line has also been inconsistent. Hoke said the youth of the line has been the greatest issue. Sophomores Dan Gerberry, Andre Ramsey and Robert Brewster and freshman John Purdy join senior Justin Schneider. Hoke said the reason for the struggling attack was a combination of both the offensive line and the running backs.
"We block something well, we don't hit the hole," Hoke said. "We don't block well, the back gets tackled."
A source close to the team said Nate Davis is expected to start at quarterback Saturday. Regardless of who's starting, senior wide receiver Terry Moss has emerged as Ball State's deep receiving threat.
Moss has caught 16 balls, but is averaging 26.9 yards per catch and five touchdowns. He is averaging 40.8 yards per touchdown reception. Moss said the difference between this year and last year is how he spent the offseason working on his hands.
"Over the years, that's the thing I kind of struggled with," Moss said. "I could always catch the ball with my body. Anybody can do that. I just worked on my hands day in and day out during the summer, even after weightlifting."
Miami's top offensive threat is wide receiver Ryne Robinson. He's brought in 59 passes for 737 yards and five touchdowns. He's also a threat in special teams, averaging 12.9 yards per punt return and one touchdown.
"He's going to have our attention," Hoke said. "He's got good movement after the catch. He's a dangerous cat and we got to make sure we know where he's at."
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