Ball State football took a hit for the 2011 season as sophomore running back Eric Williams has decided to transfer for personal reasons.
According to Ball State Athletics and several reports, Williams left the program because of the coaching style of first-year coach Pete Lembo.
"We wish Eric nothing but the best in his future pursuits both academically and athletically," Lembo said in a press release. "Everyone handles change differently. We certainly respect Eric's decision to look for a better fit elsewhere. We will continue to provide him with whatever assistance he needs."
Williams will transfer to Hampton University to continue is academic and football careers.
Former Ball State offensive line coach Jason Eck is now at Hampton for the same position.
Attempts to contact Williams were unsuccessful.
In the 2010 season, the Warren Central graduate led the Cardinals with 613 rushing yards and five rushing touchdowns. He also had 108 receiving yards with two touchdowns. He also accounted for 740 kick return yards with one touchdown.
Ball State does have depth at running back as Cory Sykes and David Brown will both return for the 2011 season. Sykes rushed for 260 yards and Brown rushed for 348 yards last season.
The Cardinals will also have walk-on sophomore Barrington Scott, who Lembo said could see playing time after the spring game in April, to add to the depth in the backfield.
Eric Williams 2010 Stats
Rushing Yards: 613
Rushing Touchdowns: 5
Receiving Yards: 108
Receiving Touchdowns: 2
Kick return Yards: 740
Kick return Touchdowns: 1
David Brown 2010 Stats
Rushing Yards: 348
Rushing Touchdowns: 1
Receiving Yards: 33
Receiving Touchdowns: 1
Cory Sykes 2010 Stats (playing in eight games)
Rushing Yards: 260
Rushing Touchdowns: 2
Receiving Yards: 0
Receiving Touchdowns: 0
MiQuale Lewis 2010 Stats
Rushing Yards: 414
Rushing Touchdowns: 1
Receiving Yards: 125
Receiving Touchdowns: 1
Read More
Capturing The County - Episode 19
By Zach Carter and Adam Altobella / 12 hours agoIn this episode, Zach and Adam discuss the future of the Ball State Daily News and recap the Delaware County sports action from the school year.
Cardinals chase Mid-American Conference crown at 2024 men's golf MAC Championships
By Nick Shelton / 22 hours agoHeading one hour west to Westfield, Indiana, Ball State will have a chance to redeem last season’s runner-ups with a MAC title. The Cardinals will tee off April 26 to begin their three-day event at Chatham Hills.
Ball State baseball ties with Indiana Hoosiers in extra-inning thriller
By Nick Shelton / YesterdayThe game, which was forced into extra innings following a late-game collapse by the Cardinals, ended in Ball State tying the Hoosiers 7-7. The game was called due to darkness to give the Cardinals their first tie game of the season.
