The Missouri Valley Football Conference has consistently been at the top of the FCS in the 2010s. While a lot of key players from last year have moved on to the pros, there’s still a ton of talent in the Valley.
As the season nears, we’ll rank the top five returners at each position group. Today, we give you the running backs.
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MORE TOP 5: QB | WR | TE | RB | OL | LB | DB | DL
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5. Lance Dunn, North Dakota State
Dunn was on pace for a record-breaking season last year as a junior after nearly running for 1,000 yards in 2016. He had 566 yards on the ground and 12 touchdowns in the first five games of last year. Those numbers are solid for some running backs in a full season. But in Game 7 versus Western Illinois, Dunn was sidelined with a hip injury.
He didn’t return until the national championship game, running for 50 yards on 13 carries. Bruce Anderson had the All-American season for the Bison last year, but people forget Dunn was the No. 1 running back to start the year. Expect both of these two to flirt with the 1,000-yard mark this season.
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4. Marcus Weymiller, Northern Iowa
When Weymiller got healthy last season, the Panthers turned into a different team. He did not record a carry in the first five games as UNI started 2-3. But in his first game back at South Dakota State, Weymiller carried the ball 42 times for 170 yards and two touchdowns in a shocking 38-18 win against the No. 7 Jackrabbits.
The next week against ranked Youngstown State, the junior gained 132 yards and scored two more times. With Weymiller in the lineup, the Panthers went 6-2 with a trip to the second round of the playoffs. Weymiller earned All-MVFC Honorable Mention honors and finished with 908 rushing yards and eight touchdowns.
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3. James Robinson, Illinois State
Robinson was a huge get for the Redbirds a few years ago in recruiting. He set career records in Illinois high school football with 9,045 rushing yards and 158 touchdowns. After playing as a true freshman in 2016, he took off last season.
A HERO Sports FCS Sophomore All-American and All-MVFC First Team selection, Robinson ran for 933 yards and 12 touchdowns, which was tied for second in the conference. His 84.8 rushing yards per game also finished second in the Valley. The Redbirds have a solid offensive line coming back, so expect a big junior season. We do at HERO Sports, naming him on our preseason All-American Second Team.
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2. Tevin McCaster, Youngstown State
After breaking out in the 2016 playoffs where the Penguins reached the national title game, McCaster turned into the feature back last season as a junior. He delivered in a big way, earning All-MVFC First Team and HERO Sports All-American Third Team honors.
McCaster was lights out and led the MVFC with 96.9 yards per game. He totaled 1,066 yards and a Valley-high 13 touchdowns. Against just conference opponents, his rushing yards per game increased to 100.4, which usually the opposite happens. McCaster is on our preseason All-American First Team.
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1. Bruce Anderson, North Dakota State
Add another HERO Sports preseason First Team All-American from the MVFC. Anderson cranked it up a notch late last season when injuries took its toll on the Bison backfield. He ran for 100 yards twice in the playoffs, including a five total touchdown performance in the semifinals against Sam Houston State.
Anderson’s total numbers were 1,216 yards, which was 6th in the FCS, and 12 touchdowns, placing him on the All-Conference Second Team and HERO Sports All-American Second Team. NDSU has a crowded backfield this year, but Anderson is going to get his opportunities to shine. NFL scouts are watching as Anderson is ranked the 22nd best running back in the 2019 NFL Draft by NFLDraftScout.
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NEXT: The Best Traditions in the FCS
