Stan Parrish has planned on having running back MiQuale Lewis back next year for at least six months.
Now, six months after filing paperwork with the NCAA, Ball State University knows the player with the third-most career rushing yards in school history will have one more year in Muncie.
Ball State announced Friday that the NCAA awarded Lewis a medical redshirt, replacing his shortened 2007 season. The tailback played in only four games that year before tearing his ACL in Ball State's loss at the University of Nebraska.
"Quale is set and ready to go for spring ball," Parrish said.
Lewis has also been operating on the premise that he would still be a Cardinal next year. He told The Ball State Daily News in January he had received word his petition had been granted. But it took another three months before the NCAA officially informed Ball State of the decision.
Throughout last season, Lewis repeatedly said he hoped he would be able to come back for 2010. Now that he as the opportunity, he will likely make a run at Ball State's record book.
Lewis has 3,334 career rushing yards, just 668 behind Ball State's all-time leading rusher Marcus Merriweather. Lewis also needs only five touchdowns to pass Merriweather for the career record.
Last year, Lewis rushed for a team leading 871 yards and five touchdowns. He was named All-Mid-American Conference for the second consecutive year.
But Lewis will have company in the Ball State backfield. Also returning are Cory Sykes and Eric Williams, who combined for 921 yards last year.
Joining the mix will be David Brown, who redshirted last year. Parrish is excited about the depth Ball State will have at running back and finding ways to get them all the ball.
"We've got to find a role for all four of those guys," Parrish said. "They're some of our very best players on the team. We've got to get multiple backs on the field at the same time."
The Cardinals still have one outstanding medical redshirt petition to the NCAA for tight end Madaris Grant. The captain tore his ACL on the first series last season against the University of North Texas.
Ball State opens Spring Practice on Wednesday. Grant will not be able to practice even if the NCAA grants him an extra year, as he is still rehabbing his knee.
Parrish hopes he has another chance to coach Grant.
"If we get Madaris back, that's the plus, plus, plus of all plusses," he said. "Suddenly you go from a green position to a very good position. We've just got to get the dominoes to fall right."
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