Travorus Bess was the second-leading rusher last season for the Panthers.

His 5-foot-7-inch frame was weaving in and out of the defense Saturday for the white team in the spring game.

Ademalo Adeniji was having just as much success for the blue team but doing it a different way. He was running people over and spinning out of tackles throughout the day.

Vincent Webb, the 1,195-yard rusher from 2005, was on the sidelines recovering from a foot injury and will head into the fall as the No. 1 back.

This is what they call a stacked deck.

The running game was definitely a nearly overlooked strength for the Panthers last season, and, next season, it looks like it will get better.

This is exciting.

But, it is only exciting if Adeniji can make grades.

Adeniji came into the program the same season as starting quarterback Mike Donato. Donato will probably be starting for the second straight season next fall.

“He’s a thoroughbred,” Donato said Saturday after the game. “We have worked out together since our first year here.”

But now the fruits of those workouts may be about to shine through, and just in time for the Panthers.

Everyone knows that Eastern is coming off of an undefeated conference season. They also know that the Panthers’ offense was a major part of their first-round postseason exit against Southern Illinois.

The Panthers threw for just 144 yards even though they were throwing for the majority of the second half in trying to make a comeback against the Salukis.

These numbers are definitely skewed, as there were several dropped passes that kept the numbers down.

But Eastern’s defense helped keep them in the game.

When the Panthers went into the postseason, there was talk about how far the team could make it.

Anyone who didn’t think there would be much of a chance pointed to the offense. The defense had the makings of a national championship-caliber defense.

But when they couldn’t force turnovers and the passing game couldn’t move the ball when trailing, the game was over.

With the defense returning a majority of its starters and the main departures, Kory Lothe and Travis Wanzeck, getting replaced by a defensive line that had a tremendous spring, the defense should not have a problem picking up where it left off.

There is competition at quarterback with Cole Stinson offering a push from behind to Donato.

And, if the three-headed monster in the backfield stays healthy, eligible and effective, the Panthers may have just enough to keep the defense playing deeper into the postseason.