Many of the MAC’s leading rushers in 2022 are back for 2023, which means there will be some exciting ground attacks.
Here’s a ranking of the best running backs in the MAC.
Best MAC Running Backs, Ranked
| Rank | Player | Team |
| 1 | Marquez Cooper | Ball State |
| 2 | Samson Evans | Eastern Michigan |
| 3 | Antario Brown | Northern Illinois |
| 4 | Sieh Bangura | Ohio |
| 5 | Jacquez Stuart | Toledo |
1. Marquez Cooper, Ball State
Cooper was first in rushing yards last year among running backs returning to the MAC in 2023. But he’ll be playing for a different team this time around.
The 5-foot-6, 184-pound upcoming redshirt junior was a first-team All-MAC pick last year while playing for Kent State. He ran for 1,331 yards, averaging 4.7 yards per carry, to go with 13 touchdowns on the ground. He also caught eight passes for 94 yards.
Cooper ended his time at Kent State sixth all-time with 2,813 career rushing yards as he totaled 1,205 in 2021. He’s also fifth in the program record books with 29 rushing touchdowns.
Now he gets a chance to prove what he can do on a new team, but he’ll undoubtedly continue being an issue for MAC opponents.
2. Samson Evans, Eastern Michigan
No running back in the MAC was better at finding the end zone than Evans in 2022.
Evans led the conference with 15 rushing touchdowns last season. The 6-foot, 218-pound graduate student was on the all-conference second team as he was third in the league with 1,166 yards, averaging 4.7 yards per carry.
The year before, Evans totaled 13 touchdowns on the ground while rushing for 316 yards on 83 carries. He also caught 40 passes for 246 yards the past three years.
Evans is set to stand out once again this year.
3. Antario Brown, Northern Illinois
Brown was highly efficient last season, and he should only get more carries this year.
The 5-10, 218-pound junior averaged 6.3 yards per attempt on his way to 689 yards and seven touchdowns on the ground for the season. He caught one pass for seven yards on the year.
In 2021, Brown tallied 538 yards and five touchdowns on 81 carries. So for his career, Brown has totaled 1,227 yards and 12 touchdowns.
He may be able to match those numbers in 2023 alone if he’s given a prominent enough role in Northern Illinois’ offense.
4. Sieh Bangura, Ohio
Bangura didn’t need much time to thrive as a collegiate player.
The 6-foot, 200-pound redshirt sophomore was the MAC Freshman of the Year last season. He was fourth in the conference with 1,078 rushing yards and tied for third with 13 rushing touchdowns.
Bangura also caught 18 passes for 168 yards and a touchdown in 2022, helping him earn third-team all-conference recognition. He also tallied 93 yards and two touchdowns on the ground and 68 yards on five receptions in four games as a redshirt in 2021.
There’s no reason to think Bangura won’t be even better in 2023.
5. Jacquez Stuart, Toledo
Stuart was vital to Toledo leading the MAC in rushing last season. And the Rockets should be poised to repeat that feat in 2023.
Stuart was seventh in the league with 770 rushing yards on a 5.7 yards-per-carry average to go with four touchdowns on the ground. He also recorded career highs of 10 catches and 45 receiving yards.
He’s been effective whenever he’s touched the ball throughout his career, as he’s averaged 5.7 yards per carry over the last four years. He had 53 carries which led to 291 yards and a touchdown from 2019-21.
Stuart, a 5-9, 180-pound junior, and quarterback Dequan Finn will help Toledo have a dynamic ground game again this season.
