2016 Frontier Football Preview: Running Backs

Over the past three years, there is no conference in NAIA football that could match the depth the Frontier Conference has had at running back. Year-after-year, the league just pumps out multiple 1,000-yard rushers.

Yet one would think with time that might change. And eventually it might. It's just not going to change in 2016.

The Frontier returns five of the league's Top 10 rushers from last season, including a pair of NAIA All-Americans, and two who have the potential to smash conference rushing records this coming season.

Of course, Montana State University-Northern has one of the best in the business back for his senior season in Zach McKinley (5-10, 200). The former Great Falls standout has shattered every career rushing record at Northern in his three seasons, as he has amassed 3,687 yards on the ground in his brilliant career, and he owns 13 different school records.

McKinley has been so dominant in his career, that even last season, when the Lights struggled mightily on offense, he still tallied 1,162 yards and five scores, earning All-Conference honors for the second straight season, while finishing second in the league's rushing race.

Now, McKinley heads into his senior season as one of the best in all of the NAIA, and he's certainly aided by fellow senior Mario Gobbatto (5-8, 185), who gained over 300 yards last season, and would start for just about every other team in the league. And while Gobbatto may be seeing more time at wide receiver this season, the Lights also brought in a talented transfer in Trey Blanchard (5-10, 200) from Central Lakes College in Minnesota, while sophomore Jett Robertson (6-0, 200) gives Northern some of the best RB depth in the league.

Of course, McKinley isn't alone when it comes to the Frontier possessing some of the best RB talent in country. That's because Montana Tech star Nolan Saraceni (5-11, 200) is also back for his senior season.

Saraceni was big for the Orediggers for parts of his sophomore season, but he exploded in 2015, rushing for 1,683 yards and a whopping 19 touchdowns. He averaged a ridiculous 6.8 yards per carry, and every Frontier defense was powerless to stop him as he steam rolled his way to Frontier Conference MVP honors, as well as an NAIA All-American nod.

Now a year older, and perhaps even better, Saraceni is poised for even bigger things for head coach Chuck Morrell's team, as the Diggers have their sights set on another Frontier title, as well as an even deeper run in the NAIA playoffs come November.

And while McKinley and Saraceni will get a lot of attention this coming fall, there are even more stars across the Frontier at running back.

UM-Western has a senior standout in Sam Rutherford (6-1, 215), who is a two-time All-Conference performer, and is closing in on the Bulldog's all-time rushing record. Despite missing three games with injuries last season, Rutherford still rushed for 740 yards and, when healthy, he's easily one of the most powerful inside runners in the country.

Southern Oregon also has a senior running back coming back in two-time All-Conference standout, and NAIA All-American Melvin Mason (6-0, 200). Mason is as fast as they come in the Frontier at his position, and though he missed some time last season, he still piled up 805 yards and 11 scores. In his last two seasons, Mason has also been the key cog to SOU's dangerous rushing attack, an attack that has helped make the Raiders' offense nearly indefensible, and led them to two straight NAIA national championship games.

Meanwhile, in Helena, Carroll College offensive coordinator Nick Howlett has been looking for the answer for the departed Dustin Rinker, who left in 2014 as the school's all-time leading rusher. With injuries and a lack of experience, the Fighting Saints didn't find that answer last season as Carroll's running attack struggled.

However, now junior Ryan Walsh (6-1, 192) did rush for 540 yards and two touchdowns a year ago, while senior Dylan Green (5-9, 215) returns from an injury. Carroll also has a stable of young running backs on the roster ready to make an impact, including freshman Major Ali, so it might just be a matter of time before the Saints find their next great one.

New Rocky Mountain College head coach Jason Petrino, meanwhile, does inherit a proven runner in senior Kodee Varner (6-0, 195). The University of North Dakota transfer rushed for 472 yards and five scores last year in limited duty, but he should have the backfield to himself this season, and is a perfect compliment to star quarterback Chase White.

For others in the league, their next great running back is unknown right now. Eastern Oregon lost a true superstar in Jase Billingsley, while the College of Idaho Yotes lost their top four rushers from a season ago, so both teams will have to look for new options.

Nevertheless, there are so many good running backs in the Frontier this coming season, that, the league is certainly going to be fun to watch when teams keep it on the ground.

Editor's Note: This is the final installment in the Havre Daily News' series on the top returning players in the Frontier Conference. In the coming weeks, the HDN will provide full coverage and previews of MSU-Northern football 2016, right up until the Lights' season-opener Aug. 27 against Rocky Mountain College.