Ball State University's sophomore running back MiQuale Lewis' season has ended prematurely because of an injury for a second year in a row, Cardinals' football coach Brady Hoke said Thursday.
The results of an MRI Lewis underwent Wednesday morning showed he tore the anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee. Hoke said the injury will require surgery.
"He did tear his ACL and it is season ending," Hoke said Thursday.
Lewis led the team in rushing yards with 280 after six games last year before he underwent a season-ending shoulder surgery. With the time he missed during his freshman and sophomore seasons, Hoke said a medical redshirt might be a possibility for Lewis.
"That's something we'll look at near the end of his eligibility," Hoke said. "He's still a sophomore, so there's plenty of eligibility left for him. We'll look at that when the time gets closer."
Through four games, Lewis led the Cardinals with 92 carries for 447 yards, an average of 4.9 yards per carry.
He also scored two rushing touchdowns in his first year as a starter.
Lewis was Ball State's third-leading receiver, with 11 receptions for 154 receiving yards and a touchdown.
Frank Edmonds, a true freshman, will replace Lewis in the starting lineup. Edmonds has been Lewis' backup this year and has produced 132 rushing yards on 32 carries, an average of 4.1 yards per carry.
Hoke said Monday he has complete faith Edmonds can produce as a starting running back.
"We wouldn't have recruited him if we didn't feel good about him knowing that this could be the role that he would have to take," Hoke said. "I think he's ready for this and I think he doesn't have a reason not to be."
Redshirt sophomore Jacolby Bond will serve as Edmonds' backup, and freshman Koreen Burch will move from fifth-string cornerback to third-string running back.
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