Backup fullback gets call for Midshipmen Saturday

Adam Ballard will make his second career start against the Cadets.
ANNAPOLIS, Md. (AP) -- The first option in Navy's three-pronged running attack was not the team's initial choice to fill the position.
Sophomore Adam Ballard took over for injured fullback Matt Hall three weeks ago and will get his second career start Saturday against Army. Although Ballard was used sparingly before his ascension on the depth chart, his presence in the backfield does not represent a sharp drop-off in talent -- as evidenced by his 167-yard rushing effort against Temple on Nov. 19.
Battled in camp
Ballard and Hall arrived at summer practice eager to fill the void left by the departure of standout Kyle Eckel, who ran for 179 yards in last year's Army-Navy game. The duel was fairly close before Ballard strained his right hamstring in August and missed a week of workouts.
By the time he returned, Hall had become a fixture in the offense.
"I was really upset because I stayed here all summer and really worked hard," said Ballard, who lives in Texas. "I kind of felt it slip away from me, all in one moment."
He got the starting job in precisely the same fashion. On Hall's first carry against Notre Dame, he tore the ACL and MCL ligaments in his left knee and was lost for the season.
In stepped Ballard, who didn't exactly get off to a roaring start. He tiptoed through the hole on his first carry, and Navy coach Paul Johnson promptly scolded him on the sideline during the nationally televised game.
"Yeah, I got a few calls about that," Ballard said. "I've been playing football since I was 8. It wasn't the first time a coach has yelled at me, and it won't be the last."
Ran well against Temple
Ballard ran for 45 yards and a touchdown in nine carries, then shredded Temple for 200 total yards in a 38-17 victory. Now he's poised to start against Army in a game Navy must win to retain the coveted Commander-In-Chief's trophy.
"Anytime I get a chance to play, I'm excited," he said. "But this is Army-Navy, and the trophy's on the line. It's not just another game."
Ballard never expected to be in this position after losing out to Hall, yet he never once lamented his fate.
"Adam understood. For the most part, his demeanor was fine," fullbacks coach Chris Culton said.
"Matt earned the job and there was nothing I could do," Ballard said. "I kept on working, trying to learn the offense, trying to get better. It was tough sitting on the bench watching Matt play, but he was doing a good job and in all fairness, he earned it."
Hall will add support
Ballard threw his support behind Hall, and Hall intends to do the same from the sideline Saturday.
"That's the way I can help. Coach him up, if I can," Hall said. "Adam has the ability to do great; everybody saw that last game. People think there's some kind of battle going on, but it's really just a friendly competition."
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