Against California last week, Ringer took all but one of Brian Hoyer’s 28 handoffs to running backs. He also added a new feature to his repertoire Saturday — five kickoff returns for 102 yards.

Midway through the week, the Dayton, Ohio native wasn’t feeling any ill effects from the added responsibilities coupled with a practice schedule that hasn’t changed.

“I wasn’t any extra sore than I originally wouldn’t have been (in years past),” Ringer said.

Coaches kept a close eye on Ringer against Cal by repeatedly asking him about his energy level, something that likely will continue as the season and Ringer’s wheels wear down.

“It was one of those situations where he didn’t want to come out,” MSU head coach Mark Dantonio said. “It was the type of game where every series was a critical series and he wanted to be involved in that.”

The senior’s workload likely will continue as it did against Cal, with a few more carries for backups Andre Anderson, A.J. Jimmerson and Ashton Leggett sprinkled in each week. Ringer should continue his kickoff return responsibilities at times, depending on game situations, Dantonio said.

“As we enter into every game, we’re going to go with Javon until he tires,” he said.

Ringer’s 27 carries Saturday didn’t beat a career-high — (he took 29 handoffs for more than 200 yards against Indiana last year) — but the effects of the season-long wear and tear as the lone featured back remain to be seen. For now, coaches will continue to push Ringer in between games, as they did Tuesday with a practice that Ringer said was designed to “redeem ourselves” for the Cal loss.

“They still have me in there doing a lot in practice,” Ringer said. “They’re not taking it easy on me and I wouldn’t expect that. I still feel like each week I need to make sure I stay in shape. I’m not expecting them to let me rest a little extra.”

Regardless of Ringer’s health, coaches and players said an extra push is needed up front to open up more holes for the running game, which failed to produce 100 yards on the ground against Cal.

“We definitely need to step it up,” senior guard Mike Bacon said.

“We realize we didn’t put forth what we needed to last week, especially in the running game.”

Dantonio added that some blocking concepts could be tweaked heading into the Eastern Michigan game.

Any changes will be designed to get the backfield’s shiftiest horse loose for the big runs that eluded last week.

“It was obvious that we all knew we didn’t really perform the way we needed to,” Ringer said.

“We need to take more pride in being able to establish the run and be more physical up front.”