Injuries have haunted Ball State all season, beginning on opening night when safety Josh Howard separated his shoulder.
The Cardinals have had trouble staying healthy ever since. It was such a struggle last week that out of Ball State's talented running back quartet, only MiQuale Lewis was healthy at Toledo.
"We went to Toledo with Quale and Ray Winkler that were fully healthy," coach Stan Parrish said.
Cory Sykes and David Brown tried to play against the Rockets but combined for only 14 yards on three carries. Eric Williams, the Cardinals' leading rusher, didn't even make the trip.
Parrish is excited that Williams will likely be able to play Saturday at Kent State and Sykes is back on the practice field.
The offensive line is also getting healthier after a rash of injuries eliminated any depth Ball State started the season with. Center Kreg Hunter may be able to return to action Saturday after missing two games with a high ankle sprain. Guard Travis Arnold also could return to action this weekend.
Pinkston's picks
Safety Sean Baker will break Ball State's career interception record with his next pick. He is in a three-way tie for first with 14 and still has his senior season in front of him as well as this season's final four games.
Even as he prepares to ascend to the top of the list, he has someone else starting to climb the list behind him.
Sophomore cornerback Jason Pinkston has three interceptions this season and six in his career. His most recent came Saturday at Toledo and his ball-hawking talent stands out to Parrish.
"Pink's got free safety ball skills," he said. "He can just go get the ball. He can be a lockdown guy, and we need that for goodness sakes."
Campbell Trophy update
Last month, kicker Ian McGarvey was nominated for the Campbell Trophy, which is also known as the academic Heisman. On Thursday, the National Football Foundation announced the 16 finalists for the award, who also comprise its National Scholar-Athlete Class.
McGarvey did not make the cut for the group, which is headlined by No. 7 Alabama quarterback Greg McElroy. McElroy is one of two Rhodes Scholar nominees in the class.
Earlier in the week, McGarvey said it was an honor to even be nominated for the award.
"There's a very small amount of guys that actually win it," McGarvey said, "but just to have my name on the list is something I'll be able to brag about in the years to come."
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