Through four games this season, three different Ball State University running backs have led the team in rushing.
That's in sharp contrast to last year when All-Mid-American Conference tailback MiQuale Lewis led the team in rushing in all 14 games. The latest leading rusher for the Cardinals is also their newest running back, freshman Eric Williams.
At Auburn University, Williams ran 11 times for 59 yards.
"He's a very talented freshman back," coach Stan Parrish said. "He likes football and he has a lot of energy on the sideline."
Williams fits in the three-pronged running attack for Ball State with Lewis and sophomore Cory Sykes. With all the talent around him, Williams said he is trying to find his own style.
"As a freshman running back behind an All-American, I feel like Quale is a mentor to me," Williams said. "What he does I try to reflect it, but do it in a way I feel comfortable."
Williams came to Ball State with some fanfare after rushing for 1,800 yards and being named All-Indiana as a senior at Warren Central High School in Indianapolis. He got on the field for Ball State on opening night against the University of North Texas. He gained 13 yards on two rushes and caught a pass, but had a costly fumble.
Williams coughed up the ball again the next week, against the University of New Hampshire on a kickoff return.
Since then the freshman has worked on possession.
"I've focused more on ball security and securing the ball first, before I run with it," Williams said. "Just not overdoing anything, take what I'm given without trying to be too fancy."
Parrish said after the fumbles Williams had to work his way back into the rotation. At Army, he did not have a rushing attempt.
"It appeared [to get his attention] from the way he played," Parrish said.
Against Auburn, Ball State also unveiled their Wildcat package, where Williams takes a direct snap. The Cardinals lined up in the formation twice, with him running both times.
"I feel kind of comfortable doing it," Williams said. "It's fun watching other teams run the Wildcat and then coaches believing in me to run it."
In an effort to get Williams on the field as much as possible, Parrish also is using him on kickoff returns, something he didn't do much of in high school.
"It's real fun, me being able to get the offense better field position," Williams said.
As the season progresses, Williams has had to adjust his thinking to recognize having more experience.
"I'm getting over my freshman mentality," he said. "Coaches tell me I'm not a freshman anymore. I can't use that as an excuse."
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