Posted by ESPN.com's Graham Watson

Ball State running back MiQuale Lewis has always prayed before games, but this year he's added prayer before each practice and scrimmage.

He'll do anything, he said, to have one full season without an injury.

In his first season with the Cardinals, he last six games before suffering a season-ending shoulder injury. Last season it was four games before suffering a season-ending ACL tear against Nebraska.

"I planted, I was straight-legged and my knee just blew," Lewis said of last year's injury. "It was a non-contact injury. It was a plant, and I tried to plant again real fast and it just gave out."

In his short playing time last season, Lewis rushed for 447 yards, which was 84 yards fewer that leading rusher Frank Edmonds had in the entire season. In all fairness, Ball State didn't nearly have the depth it has now. Coach Brady Hoke said he had to move two defensive players to running back just to balance the load.

Lewis' health has been the only thing stopping him from being on the most prolific running backs in the Mid-American Conference.

Ball State coach Brady Hoke said Lewis hasn't let the injuries set him back. After suffering a broken collarbone on Oct. 7 of his freshman season, Lewis was back ready to practice again by January. Lewis tore his ACL on Sept. 22 last year and again was ready to play in January.

"He is an unbelievable guy," Hoke said. "If he can stay healthy, he'll be a big part of this offense."

Lewis doesn't know what will keep him healthy this season, but he's starting with prayer and trying to play faster than he has in the past. He says that way, he's not thinking about the injury while someone watching over him is.

"It's every running back's dream to run for 1,000 yards, but my major goal is to stay healthy," Lewis said. "You can get tentative, but if I play fast, hopefully those injuries don't occur again and I don't have to think about it."