Daniel Richardson to miss game against Ball State, Ty Brock to start
Central Michigan quarterback Daniel Richardson is brought to his feet after being injured in a game against Eastern Michigan Nov. 30 at Rynearson Stadium in Ypsilanti, MI.
Central Michigan coach Jim McElwain said redshirt freshman Daniel Richardson, who started the team’s first four games, will miss the Chippewas Dec. 5 game against Ball State due to a lower left leg injury.
Richardson was carted off the field in CMU's Nov. 27 win over Eastern Michigan in the third quarter with an air cast on his left leg. McElwain confirmed that Richardson would not need surgery but did not specify what the injury was.
Ty Brock will make his first start in place of Richardson Saturday. To this point, he's played in three of the team's four games and has completed nine of 16 passes for 62 yards. He's also carried the ball seven times for 25 yards and one touchdown. All nine of the completions and 15 of the attempts came in the win over the Eagles.
"I was really impressed with how he handled it during the (EMU) game," McElwain said. "There was no hesitation."
Central Michigan junior quarterback Ty Brock attempts to throw a pass in the direction of wide receive Dallas Dixon in a game against Eastern Michigan Nov. 30 at Rynearson Stadium in Ypsilanti, MI.
Prior to coming to CMU, Brock spent three seasons at Division I FCS school Sam Houston State. He played in 21 games with the Bearkats, throwing for 3,885 yards and 24 touchdowns.
With no other eligible options at quarterback behind Brock, junior wide receiver Kalil Pimpleton will be the backup quarterback and junior running back Darius Bracy will be the third string. In case of emergency, sophomore tight end Joel Wilson is also available at the position.
"It doesn't matter the position, wherever we're deficient we'll do something to allow us to go play the game," McElwain said. "I'm excited for our kids to go out and play a game at home against a really good opponent."
Senior fullback Oakley Lavallii said Brock clicked with his teammates immediately upon coming to Mount Pleasant.
"He really meshed with the team well," Lavallii said. "In practice, I think he's taken good responsibility already. There's a lot of uncertainty when you have that quarterback role go down. Even in the game, we were all ready to roll. We felt like he was ready to step up."
Brock will make his first start with the Chippewas when they square off with Ball State at 5:30 p.m. Dec. 5 at Kelly/Shorts Stadium on ESPNU. It will be the Chippewas' fifth nationally televised game of the season.
