Runge named starter for Saturday’s game against Truman
By Jesse Newell
Originally published 03:44 p.m., October 23, 2007
Updated 03:44 p.m., October 23, 2007
The Emporia State football team will head into this weekend’s game against Truman with a new starting quarterback.
Eric Runge, who was third on the depth chart last week, was announced as the starter by ESU coach Garin Higgins on Monday.
“He’s been waiting on this a long time,” Higgins said. “The thing about Eric Runge is he’s not the greatest athlete. He doesn’t have the strongest arm. He’s not the fastest player out there. But he’s going to compete.”
Runge (rhymes with grunge) will replace Andre Sloan El, who injured his knee and was taken off the field on a stretcher in the first quarter of Saturday’s 52-21 loss to Missouri Western.
Sloan El’s injury is feared to be a torn MCL, which would keep him out the rest of the season.
Backup Ben Purkeypile replaced Sloan El on Saturday, but he had a fumble and two interceptions.
Purkeypile, who started the first two games of the season for ESU, finished 11-of-23 for 131 yards.
“Ben helped us move the ball a little bit, but again, he had some costly turnovers,” Higgins said. “An interception inside the 15-yard-line, a fumbled snap, another interception on a post route. We’re the type of football team right now ... we’ve got to make sure that we protect the football.”
Runge, meanwhile, will make the switch back from wide receiver.
After being moved to the position four weeks ago, Runge immediately tried to make himself better. He borrowed a tape from the coaching staff that showed wideout running drills and illustrated how to work off press coverage.
Runge has four catches for 42 yards this year.
“We’re going to get the most out of Eric Runge that we can,” Higgins said. “The reason I say that is because he’s going to prepare himself probably like no other player will prepare himself during the week.”
Runge was successful in his only drive on Saturday against Western.
Even though he hadn’t taken a snap as a quarterback for four weeks in practice, he led ESU on a 12-play, 49-yard touchdown drive in its last possession, capped by a 2-yard TD pass to Michael Fulton.
Runge finished 3-of-4 passing for 32 yards.
He also gives the Hornets more of a threat to run than Purkeypile. As quarterback, Runge rushed four times for 22 yards on Saturday.
“He probably fits our package a little bit more,” Higgins said. “He’ll get his opportunity. I think he deserves an opportunity to see what he can do this week.”
esuhornet (anonymous) says...
Way to support your starting quarterback Coach Higgins. He's slow and has a weak arm but we are going to play him anyway. Real confidence boost to a first college start with a team that needs support. Good Luck Eric and Good Luck Players, some of us still have confidence in you.
October 24, 2007 at 5:11 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
playersfan (anonymous) says...
If enough students, players and parents would stand up and say we have had enough of your negitive teaching we will be sure to get a coach that respects his players like most of them still respect you.
October 30, 2007 at 5:36 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )