He was lightning. Now he has to become the thunderstorm.

Senior Bod running back Ra’Shawn Mosley is without his thunderous companion, graduated running back Trent Hearn.

“We did have a tandem last year,” said Mosley. “We all knew the roles we were playing. I was the fast kind of scat back and he was the power back.”

Mosley, with the absence of Hearn, becomes the number one back, with junior Brandon Walker and redshirt freshman Terrence Lowe waiting in the wings.

“Now we have two other fast backs besides myself,” said Mosley. “I will be getting more carries this year, but just like we’ve done in the past, I will just continue to play my role.”

But this isn’t the first time Mosley has stepped in for Hearn. In 2004 as a freshman Mosley took Hearn’s place after Hearn suffered a season ending injury. Mosley rushed for 1,084 yards and 11 touchdowns in an All-MIAA debut season.

“Last time he was the number one back, he had a great season so that is what we are hoping for,” said Craig Schurig, head coach. “We would like to get back to where we have a thousand yard rusher this year.”

The last two seasons have been frustrating for Mosley. After suffering an ankle injury his sophomore year, he played in only eight games rushing for 443 yards. Then last year in what appeared to be a momentous season for the Bods running game with both Mosley and Hearn healthy, Mosley tweaked his ankle again. Mosley missed the first two games, played in eight and rushed for 690 yards and seven touchdowns.

Now healthy, Mosley has the daunting task of filling in for what Hearn has done in Mosley’s absence. Hearn rushed for a Bod career high 3,154 yards, 48 touchdowns and 296 points on 679 attempts.

“Mosley has done a good job putting size on,” said Jordan Brill, senior quarterback. “He has become a physical runner as well as an elusive runner. I feel very comfortable handing him the ball. It’s weird not having Hearn back there, but Mosley can be just as powerful and a little more elusive.”

But Schurig explained it won’t be all on Mosley’s shoulders this year. Walker and Lowe are expected to play a major role in the Bods running game.

“It is a little bit different style but [Mosley] can get those tough yards for you,” said Schurig. “But we also feel real confident with Brandon Walker and Terrence Lowe. We feel like both of those guys have their own dimension and they are very fast. We feel really good about giving the ball to both of those guys.”

While Lowe will be new to the field this year, Walker has been making a name for himself the past two seasons. Walker is highly versatile, seeing time at quarterback, running back, wide receiver and kick returns last year.

“We like our running backs and I think over the long haul of the season hopefully are guys have had a great year,” said Schurig.