Western Kentucky’s running back depth chart has taken two key hits this spring.

“We’ve had some difficulty and some trials and tribulations so far with the guys that aren’t here,” running backs coach Mike Sanford Sr. told the Daily News on Tuesday after the team’s 10th spring practice.

Sophomore Jakairi Moses fell victim March 27 to what coach Mike Sanford described as a “lower body injury” that would likely require surgery. He’s out for the rest of spring practice and his status for the 2018 season is unclear.

Junior Quinton Baker was then dismissed from the team Friday due to “consistent violation of team rules.” He’d previously had disciplinary issues and was suspended for WKU’s 2017 season opener due to his role in an offseason fight.

“Jakairi going down, that was a big blow to the room,” running back Marquez Trigg said. “Then Q having to leave, getting dismissed, was a big blow to the room.

“We’ve got to pick up the slack. I told the young guys that this is their chance to come up and make some plays.”

The redshirt junior Trigg and D’Andre Ferby, a redshirt senior, are the team’s most experienced players at the position. Redshirt senior Marcelis Logan, a walk-on, has one career carry at WKU.

Redshirt freshman Joshua Samuel has never played a game for the Hilltoppers. Neither have redshirt junior D.J. Sherrill and redshirt freshman KeShawn McLendon, two more walk-ons that round out the room.

“I’ve seen a lot of good things out of Ferby, D’Andre Ferby,” Sanford Sr. said. “I’ve seen good things out of Marquez Trigg. A new guy that’s kind of come on the scene and is doing a lot of good things is Josh Samuel.

“There’s more opportunities for more reps because we have less guys. We’ve got some young guys. We’ll see how those guys end up doing. But I feel positive about the three that I mentioned.”

Ferby’s battled multiple injuries during his career, including a collarbone fracture that cost him all but one carry in the 2016 season.

The Smyrna, Tenn., native never really got going last year as a redshirt junior. In 11 contests, Ferby carried 117 times for 373 yards and three touchdowns, averaging 3.2 yards per carry and 33.9 yards per game.

Trigg also fought through injuries last year, appearing in 10 of a possible 13 games. The Glasgow native carried 51 times for 167 yards and two TDs – averaging 3.3 ypc and 16.7 ypg.

Ferby and Trigg were part of a rushing attack that ranked No. 130 of 130 FBS teams at 2.02 yards per carry. WKU was the only team in the nation not to post a single carry of at least 20 yards.

“Going back and watching film from last season, there are things we could’ve done better as a group overall, a running back room,” Trigg said. “O-line, they work their butt off every day. Getting with them out here, working on our timing with them … we’re working hard on it.”

Ferby and Trigg are veterans who’ll get their shots to earn playing time this fall. Samuel sat out the 2017 campaign but has been impressive this spring with his speed and aggressive running style.

The Hilltoppers will add Class of 2018 signees Gino Appleberry and Garland LaFrance this summer.

LaFrance is a three-star signee from New Orleans who was committed to Texas Tech and Tulane at different junctures of his recruitment. Appleberry is a two-star prospect from Atlanta.

Even with Baker’s absence and Moses’ uncertain status, WKU’s offensive coaches will have options this fall when divvying up carries.

“We want guys that we trust, I think No. 1,” Sanford Sr. said. “No. 2, guys that are doing what they’re coached to do. We want guys that are going to run hard and are going to make people miss, are going to protect the football and then are going to be good pass protectors.

“You put all those things together … and those are the factors we’re going to take into account.”{&end}