Banks looks to help Cardinals despite stress fracture in leg

Junior running back Horactio Banks runs the ball down the field against Central Michigan on Nov. 6 at Scheumann Stadium. Banks is expected to recover from injury by the end of the summer. DN FILE PHOTO BREANNA DAUGHERTY
Junior running back Horactio Banks runs the ball down the field against Central Michigan on Nov. 6 at Scheumann Stadium. Banks is expected to recover from injury by the end of the summer. DN FILE PHOTO BREANNA DAUGHERTY

Horactio Banks Career Stats

Games - 29

Carries - 283

Yards - 1,534

Touchdowns - 12

Long - 77

Yards per carry - 5.4

Yards per game - 52.9


Ball State running back Horactio Banks started feeling a pain in his lower leg in February 2015.

After a series of trainer diagnoses, X-rays and MRIs, it was confirmed that Banks suffered a stress fracture in his lower leg, an injury that would require surgery. 

The insertion of a steel rod in his leg and around 6-8 months of recovery will keep the Cardinals' most experienced running back out for the 2015-16 season. Banks' collegiate career will end as a medical disqualification. 

"At that point, knowing all of that information, we determined that it would be in [Banks'] best interest to be medically disqualified," head coach Pete Lembo said. "That was a decision of our team of doctors, trainers and Horactio."

Banks also missed three games during his redshirt sophomore season with a knee injury in his other leg.

After redshirting in 2011, he spent the next three seasons as part of a two-headed rushing attack with Ball State's all-time leading rusher Jahwan Edwards. Banks' first two seasons in a Cardinal uniform produced 208 carries for 1,181 yards.

Banks picked up 353 yards on 75 carries last season while dealing with the injury that will keep him out this year.

While his career carrying the ball in a Ball State uniform may have come to an end, Banks remains a vital part of the team.

He has continued to help mentor the remaining running backs as a student assistant and mentor. Banks will also be assisting off the field, as he'll be part of the summer bridge program at Ball State. 

The tailbacks competing for the starting job look up to Banks' experience.

"It's unfortunate that [Banks] is a guy that I looked up to, and he's out," junior Teddy Williamson said. "But it's time to step up."

Williamson, along with the other three running backs, have three seasons of combined experience.

Moving forward, Banks will make it a priority to attend practices and help his teammates in any way, all while finishing school and maintaining his scholarship.

"He's been out here every day, staying very much engaged with what's going on," Lembo said. "Our job now, along with him, is to find meaningful ways for him to contribute, even if he's not running the ball for us." 

Comments

More from The Daily






This Week's Digital Issue


Loading Recent Classifieds...