FOOTBALL: Junior finds new role
Junior Chris Clancy works both offense and defense
Ryan Wood
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Chris Clancy is listed as an outside linebacker on Ball State University's roster, but Saturday the junior was lined up as a running back for the Cardinals' first offensive play against Western Michigan University.
Though Ball State's 34.1 points per game average leads the Mid-American Conference, the Cardinals' offense has struggled in two areas during past weeks - the running game and quarterback protection. Though quarterback Nate Davis was sacked twice against the Broncos and Ball State produced a season-low 72 rushing yards, coach Brady Hoke said he was pleased with the new image Clancy gives the offensive side of the ball.
"Chris gives us a big body in the backfield and he can run the ball," Hoke said. "He's sort of a cross between a fullback and a halfback."
Though Hoke said Clancy can be used as a powerful runner, the junior said he understands his primary responsibility when he's in the game.
"I like to take pride in being a competitive player and where I feel I can compete most on the field is as a blocking back position," Clancy said. "I feel like I can execute it better than some of the smaller guys who don't have as much weight or as much strength."
Though Clancy still sees the field defensively in goal-line situations, Hoke said he is considered mostly an offensive player now. Clancy said he has enough experience that it has become easier for him.
"Man I've played so many positions over the years that I feel like there's not really that much of a challenge as it looks to the outside looking in," Clancy said. "The only real challenge now is picking up what everybody else is doing on the field."
Though Ball State's 34.1 points per game average leads the Mid-American Conference, the Cardinals' offense has struggled in two areas during past weeks - the running game and quarterback protection. Though quarterback Nate Davis was sacked twice against the Broncos and Ball State produced a season-low 72 rushing yards, coach Brady Hoke said he was pleased with the new image Clancy gives the offensive side of the ball.
"Chris gives us a big body in the backfield and he can run the ball," Hoke said. "He's sort of a cross between a fullback and a halfback."
Though Hoke said Clancy can be used as a powerful runner, the junior said he understands his primary responsibility when he's in the game.
"I like to take pride in being a competitive player and where I feel I can compete most on the field is as a blocking back position," Clancy said. "I feel like I can execute it better than some of the smaller guys who don't have as much weight or as much strength."
Though Clancy still sees the field defensively in goal-line situations, Hoke said he is considered mostly an offensive player now. Clancy said he has enough experience that it has become easier for him.
"Man I've played so many positions over the years that I feel like there's not really that much of a challenge as it looks to the outside looking in," Clancy said. "The only real challenge now is picking up what everybody else is doing on the field."
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