After rushing for a team-high 1,134 yards in the 2007 season, senior running back Tyrell Hayden was expected to be the Toppers’ No. 1 ground option for two more years.

Then the redshirt came off sophomore running back Bobby Rainey and, along with senior running back Marell Booker, Western’s rushing attack became three-pronged. Hayden’s carries decreased, as did his production, now to the point where Rainey is earning more touches than his veteran counterparts.

But instead of being bothered by playing second fiddle, Hayden insisted that the running backs are working for the good of the team rather than themselves.

“I took it in a positive way,” Hayden said. “We want to produce for this team, produce for this offense. If it’s me, Book or Bobby that’s doing it, then I’m happy. Really, there’s no selfishness between the three of us.”

The production this season has come mostly from Rainey, who tallied 117 yards on 19 carries against Louisiana-Lafayette last Saturday in addition to punt return and kick returning duties.

According to Rainey, who said he’s rarely aware of his statistics throughout the course of a game, it’s not about numbers. Instead, he’s only concerned with being the guy with the “hot hand” and capitalizing on opportunities.

“Right now, I’m not even focused on the yardage,” Rainey said. “I’m focused on the win. I’ve got to put my personal goals aside and think about what benefits the team.”

Coach David Elson said the coaching staff tabulates the backs’ rushing attempts to keep players fresh throughout a game.

“We talk about during the course of the game how many times guys have gotten the ball,” Elson said. “It’s always a work in progress on how many touches and carries guys are getting.”

The “hot hands” have recently belonged to Rainey, who inherited the No. 1 spot on the depth chart from Hayden after showcasing his potential at Tennessee and again against Central Arkansas.

Rainey leads the Toppers through six games with 426 net rushing yards and earned a career high 115 yards against Louisiana-Lafayette on Saturday.

“We don’t really care who carries the ball the most,” Rainey said. “All we want is to win. It doesn’t matter who’s out there when we score, because that means we all score.”

Rainey said the unit’s inclination to support the team before their individual wishes wasn’t developed at Western. It’s just in their nature to be unselfish.

How the running backs work together also extends off the field, where Booker said their relationship hasn’t changed since Rainey shook up the depth chart.

“We’re all still close,” Booker said. “We all kick it. We’re all cool.”