For our third and final Raider football spotlight, we will focus on potentially the most glorified position at Colgate, the running backs. As we all know, Colgate has produced a number of great all-American running backs, dating as far back as Kenny Gamble and Jamaal Branch, and more recently Jordan Scott and Nate Eachus. With the graduation of Eachus, one popular question in Raider Nation is who will be this year's running back? 

Every Raider running back knows this, and they are competing very hard this spring to show that they are all ready and worthy of playing. This has been one of the more competitive springs at the running back position, likely because their is no set starter for the first time in years.  In fact, four different running backs have been seen in the starting rotation for the Raiders this spring.  These players are Zauhn Lewis, Eddy Sihavong, Bobby Stup, and Danny Epstein.  Lewis and Epstein both got a start last year during Eachus' injury, and Lewis recorded a great game for the Raiders, rushing for 144 yards on 44 carries. Sihavong, who missed this past season due to injury, also saw playing time at running back for the Raiders in his first two years. Nicholas McKoy and Matthew Shimshock are some other running backs competing hard and hoping to see some action in the backfield. Adding to this depth, the Raiders also have Jordan McCord, who had a 930-yard sophomore season and has amassed over 1,400 career yards for the Raiders. Although he is currently playing linebacker for the Raiders, there is a possibility that he will see some time in the backfield also. 

The Raider running backs have been working hard this spring on getting to truly learn the fundamentals and the art of being a Colgate running back. Coach Rannings has made sure that the backs know the exact reads and steps that they should make on every play. People often assume that being a good running back is based solely on how hard and fast someone runs, but it is also very dependent on pre-snap reads and choosing the right gap, especially in this offense.  The running backs have worked very hard on all of this over the course of this spring, and they are starting to look very comfortable in the backfield. 

Adding another weapon to the backfield for the Raiders this spring has been the fullbacks. In the Colgate offense over the past few years, the fullback's job has been to just block and catch some passes. However, the coaches have given them more of a challenge this spring, and also are giving them a chance to line up in the backfield and run the ball. The coaches feel that they are ready for this challenge, and a large part of this is due to the increasingly improving play of the Raiders. Ed Pavalko, who started all 11 games as a freshman last year, is looking to be a promising fullback for the Raiders, and seems to be carrying the ball pretty well this spring. Brandon Cope is also taking reps at fullback, and running back Zauhn Lewis has played a little of the position also.

As the Raiders finish up this spring, the running back spot is still looking very competitive and open for grabs. This summer and fall camp will also be a competitive time, and all of the running backs appear ready for this challenge.