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College Football: Top 10 running backs heading into spring

By Jerran Anderson

Nov 19, 2016; Seattle, WA, USA; Washington Huskies running back Myles Gaskin (9) rushes past the Arizona State Sun Devils defense for a 45-yard touchdown run during the fourth quarter at Husky Stadium. Washington won 44-18. Mandatory Credit: Jennifer Buchanan-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 19, 2016; Seattle, WA, USA; Washington Huskies running back Myles Gaskin (9) rushes past the Arizona State Sun Devils defense for a 45-yard touchdown run during the fourth quarter at Husky Stadium. Washington won 44-18. Mandatory Credit: Jennifer Buchanan-USA TODAY Sports /
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Nov 19, 2016; Fort Collins, CO, USA; New Mexico Lobos running back Tyrone Owens (25) carries the ball against the Colorado State Rams at Hughes Stadium. This is the final game played in Hughes Stadium, which opened in 1968. Mandatory Credit: Daniel Brenner/The Coloradoan via USA TODAY NETWORK
Nov 19, 2016; Fort Collins, CO, USA; New Mexico Lobos running back Tyrone Owens (25) carries the ball against the Colorado State Rams at Hughes Stadium. This is the final game played in Hughes Stadium, which opened in 1968. Mandatory Credit: Daniel Brenner/The Coloradoan via USA TODAY NETWORK /

The New Mexico Lobos had a strong year in the Mountain West Conference finishing 6-2 last season, 9-4 overall. Much of that had to do with their rushing attack, which averaged 350.0 rushing yards per game.

While they lose leading rusher Teriyon Gipson who rushed for 1,269 rushing yards, they return running back Tyrone Owens. Owens ran for 1,097 rushing yards and seven rushing touchdowns in 12 games last season. His 8.0 rushing yards per carry ranked fourth in the FBS in 2016, just two spots behind Gipson (8.8).

Owens shared carries with Gipson last season, finishing with 137 rushes. Gipson had 145 rushing attempts, but he wasn’t the only speedy running back.

Technically, the Lobos used four running backs in the pistol formation. All four running backs carried the ball at least 100 times. Owens should still see a boost in numbers as the featured back.

We’ll see how Owens performs this spring. He was a Spring Camp Hard Hat winner after a strong spring in 2015. After a having a big 2016, Owens could be ready to turn a corner as the Lobos look to win the MWC.

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