Navy fullback Adam Ballard made the most of the opportunity presented him when he replaced an injured Matt Hall in the starting lineup for the final three games last season.
In those games, Ballard, then a sophomore, rushed for 488 yards, including 192 yards and two touchdowns against Army. That performance, along with a slow start from Hall this season, catapulted Ballard into the starting lineup this year.
But Ballard now faces the same challenge as Hall last season after breaking his leg in Navy?s win over Army on Dec. 2. Ballard won?t play for the Midshipmen when they face Boston College Dec. 30 in the Meineke Car Care Bowl in Charlotte, N.C.
Navy now turns to sophomore fullback Eric Kettani to reprise Ballard?s role in 2005. Kettani enters the bowl game having rushed for 192 yards and a touchdown on 39 carries. He started the year listed third on the depth chart behind Ballard and Hall after appearing in just three games as a freshman.
“The coaches are doing a good job recruiting of getting a bunch of players that can back up any player here,” Kettani said.
Despite Kettani?s original place on this year?s depth chart, Navy coach Paul Johnson said he expects Kettani and Hall to both get significant playing time against Boston College. Whoever gets the start or the most carries, Kettani said he knows the other will be there to offer encouragement and do what they can to help Navy leave Charlotte victorious.
“Last year, I was a freshman thrown in the mix real quick,” Kettani said. “Every time I would mess up, Matt or Adam would come up to me to do this, do this or do this better ? hit the hole or make the read. All of us are friends. When we come out here, it?s football, but when that?s over, we?re all friends in [Bancroft] Hall.”
