FOOTBALL: Freshman promoted to No. 2 running back
Former cornerback moved to new position before last week's game
Ryan Wood
- Page 1 of 1
In an attempt to maintain a dual-running back system, Ball State University coach Brady Hoke said he has decided to promote freshman running back Koreen Burch to the backup role.
Burch was a fifth-string cornerback before being moved to third-string running back before the Cardinals' game against the University at Buffalo. Burch will replace redshirt sophomore Jacolby Bond as the backup.
The freshman was second on the team with 62 rushing yards on nine carries, behind starter Frank Edmonds, who produced 128 yards on 24 carries. Burch's 6.9 average yards per carry was more than Edmonds, who averaged 5.2 yards per carry.
"If you had told me he would rush for 60 yards I probably would've said, 'Well, I'd like to see him do it,'" Hoke said. "But I don't know if I would've said that he was going to do that. He's got pretty good God-given talent and he has a good feel for the game."
Burch said he never hesitated to make the switch from offense to defense after a knee injury ended former starting running back MiQuale Lewis' season.
"I take on any kind of challenge that is to the benefit of the team," Burch said. "Wherever the team needs me I'll be sure to go."
Burch said he expected the success he had because he had faith in the Cardinals' offense.
"We've got a great offensive line," Burch said. "I really trust and believe in them to make holes for all of the running backs. If they didn't block as well as they did Saturday then I wouldn't have no yards."
As Lewis' backup, Edmonds had 56 carries in four games, more than half the number of carries Lewis had as a starter. Hoke said having two productive running backs makes the Ball State offense more efficient.
"It's hard duty taking every snap," Hoke said. "I think their running styles are a little bit different. So when you get a chance to rest a guy and change the tempo a little bit, it's a big help for us."
Burch said he expects the production he had Saturday to continue through the rest of the season.
"I have a lot of confidence," Burch said. "I have to be confident in myself for the team to be confident in me. If I didn't have confidence stepping onto the field Saturday, the rest of the team wouldn't have had confidence in me to produce. I expect that to happen the rest of the season."
Burch was a fifth-string cornerback before being moved to third-string running back before the Cardinals' game against the University at Buffalo. Burch will replace redshirt sophomore Jacolby Bond as the backup.
The freshman was second on the team with 62 rushing yards on nine carries, behind starter Frank Edmonds, who produced 128 yards on 24 carries. Burch's 6.9 average yards per carry was more than Edmonds, who averaged 5.2 yards per carry.
"If you had told me he would rush for 60 yards I probably would've said, 'Well, I'd like to see him do it,'" Hoke said. "But I don't know if I would've said that he was going to do that. He's got pretty good God-given talent and he has a good feel for the game."
Burch said he never hesitated to make the switch from offense to defense after a knee injury ended former starting running back MiQuale Lewis' season.
"I take on any kind of challenge that is to the benefit of the team," Burch said. "Wherever the team needs me I'll be sure to go."
Burch said he expected the success he had because he had faith in the Cardinals' offense.
"We've got a great offensive line," Burch said. "I really trust and believe in them to make holes for all of the running backs. If they didn't block as well as they did Saturday then I wouldn't have no yards."
As Lewis' backup, Edmonds had 56 carries in four games, more than half the number of carries Lewis had as a starter. Hoke said having two productive running backs makes the Ball State offense more efficient.
"It's hard duty taking every snap," Hoke said. "I think their running styles are a little bit different. So when you get a chance to rest a guy and change the tempo a little bit, it's a big help for us."
Burch said he expects the production he had Saturday to continue through the rest of the season.
"I have a lot of confidence," Burch said. "I have to be confident in myself for the team to be confident in me. If I didn't have confidence stepping onto the field Saturday, the rest of the team wouldn't have had confidence in me to produce. I expect that to happen the rest of the season."
Be the first to comment on this story