Ball State University Athletics
All-Access: Ball State's Top 5 Rushing Performances
October 21, 2016 | Football
James Gilbert comes off the second best day in Ball State history last week
Last week Ball State sophomore back James Gilbert ran for the second most yards in a single game in Ball State football history.  So All-Access decided to take a look back at the other top performances in school history in this 'Top 5' edition.
No. 5 Â Corey Croom vs. Miami, 1992
It was the fourth game of the season and the team's home opener. Corey Croom racked up 242 yards on 39 carries against the RedHawks. Both numbers are actually fifth in school history. The Cards won 19-9, one of five MAC wins that season. Â
Croom would finish with 1,157 yards and six touchdowns for the season.
No. 4   Marcus Merriweather vs. Central Michigan, 2000
The all-time leading rusher in school history until a few year ago, Marcus Merriweather ran for 257 yards on 42 attempts at Kelly/Shorts Stadium. The Cards racked up more than 600 yards on the day and outgunned the Chips by 373 yards overall.
No. 3   Earl Taylor vs. Eastern Michigan, 1976
Earl Taylor ran for 260 yards in Ypsilanti to close out an eight-win year. Ball State knocked off Eastern Michigan 52-3.
Taylor wound up running for 1,017 that season. He graduated Ball State's second leading rusher in a single season. Taylor currently ranks 13th in school history — just behind Croom — and just ahead of NFL'er Bernie Parmalee. Â
Taylor's the only runner in the Top-5 from outside the last 26Â years. Â Amos Van Pelt from 1966 just misses the cut at No. 6.
No. 2 Â Â James Gilbert vs. Buffalo, 2016
The newest member of the Top-5, Gilbert ran for 264 yards Saturday at Buffalo.  He picked up 221 in the second half and 80 on one rush. His 80-yard touchdown run is the longest rush in the MAC this season and the total day also ranks sixth best for an FBS rusher this year.
No. 1 Â Â MiQuale Lewis vs. Eastern Michigan, 2009
On a Day where the Cardinals ran for nearly 500 yards as a team and did have two backs rush for more than 200 yards each.  MiQuale Lewis ran for 301 yards on 26 carries — an average of 11.6 yards per touch.  Quale had three runs over 40 yards in the game, including a 48-yard score and a 66-yard breakaway.Â
The Cardinals beat Eastern Michigan, 29-27 and he still stands as the single game and season rushing champion in Ball State history.
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