If there were any doubts about running back Vick Ballard making the adjustment from junior college ball to the SEC, they have been answered in the first four games of the season. His stats may not jump off the page, but he has emerged as the leading running back in Mullen’s run-heavy offense this season.
Last Saturday, when the Bulldogs needed a crucial first down on 4th-and-1 in their own territory, who did they go to?
Yep, Ballard. There was no razzle-dazzle, which Ballard rarely uses, but as usual, he had a workman-like attitude and got the job done.
“I was pleased on 4th-and-1, nothing special but had a great low pad level driving to get the first down,” Mullen said.
“Getting the job done” is nothing new for the 5’11”, 215-pound running back from Pascagoula. Last fall, Ballard rushed for 1,278 yards and 22 touchdowns while leading Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College to a 9-3 record and top 10 national ranking. His performance was good enough to earn him All-America honors from the Junior College Athletic Association.
Ballard enrolled at Mississippi State early to participate in spring practice, which helped him get a head start on adjusting to the SEC. Running backs coach Greg Knox said he has shown improvement every week of the season.
“I think he’s getting better each week, and that’s why you’ve seen his production slowly increase, because now he’s starting to really figure this out and get better at it,” Knox said.
Ballard may not be piling up yards at MSU like he did at Gulf Coast CC, but he is having no trouble finding the endzone. Through four games, he has rushed for 165 yards and five touchdowns. He has also caught three passes for 50 yards and one touchdown.
One of the reasons Ballard says his production has increased as the season goes on is he has been able to get more carries and get into the flow of the game. A perfect example of this was the Georgia game, when he got the ball 15 times (13 rush and 2 receptions). He accumulated 92 yards of total offense, two touchdowns and, along with Chris Relf, was a key component in wearing down the Georgia defense late in the game.
“Me, I’m the type of runner that I have to be in a rhythm,” Ballard said. “So, I get stronger as the game goes on. It gave me confidence too.”
With Mullen using a committee approach to the running backs, it has been difficult for any of the backs to get double-digit carries in games. Relf, the starting quarterback, is the team’s leading rusher with 201 yards.
Ballard said he doesn’t worry too much about getting carries, though. As long as the team is winning and the ball is moving, he’s only going to worry about what he can do. Overall, Mullen likes what he sees from the running backs so far this season.
“I’m pleased with how [Ballard] has played, but I’m pleased with Robert [Elliott] and LaDarius [Perkins] as well,” Mullen said. “They have big shoes to fill this season [replacing Anthony Dixon].”
Ballard is very modest in interviews, and that’s all part of his workman-like mentality. He is not one to get a big head after having success, and Knox described him as a guy who is very coachable. Ballard has described himself as an “old-fashioned” running back, but he will not waste too much time talking about himself.
“I don’t think that I have any strong points, but I don’t have any weak points either,” Ballard said. “I just do my job and let everything work out for itself.”
Some running backs show up wearing their dancing shoes and looking to make flashy highlights. As last week’s 4th-and-1 play demonstrates, Ballard only shows up with a lunch pail.