Sacramento State, which started the football season with five healthy running backs, finds itself down to one for Saturday afternoon's game against Northern Arizona.

Sam McCowan.

The Hornets hope the 5-foot-7, 165-pound freshman from Oxnard can get through the game at Hornet Stadium unscathed. They're scrambling otherwise.

Starter Terrance Dailey, a sophomore, suffered a left shoulder sprain last Saturday against Montana and is doubtful. Junior Evander Wilkins has missed the past four games because of a hamstring injury and is likely out.

Sophomore Jake Croxdale (hand) is out for at least another week, if not the season. Junior Kenslow Smith (shoulder) is expected to miss the rest of the season.

Bryan Hilliard, a second-team all-Big Sky Conference selection last season, has been practicing for several weeks after undergoing two shoulder surgeries in the offseason.

But with four games left in 2009, the Hornets aren't going to take away Hilliard's redshirt season. So that leaves senior backup quarterback Jon Loeliger and freshman reserve linebacker Jeff Badger as McCowan's backups.

"If the team needs me, I'll be there," said Loeliger, who also plays on special teams. "I obviously want Sam to play the whole game."

But McCowan isn't built for 25 to 30 carries a game, so the Hornets (2-5 overall, 2-3 Big Sky) might emphasize the passing game against the Lumberjacks (5-2, 4-1), who are ranked No. 21 in the Football Championship Subdivision.

"We probably need to be prepared to throw the ball a little bit more," Sac State coach Marshall Sperbeck said.

"I really am optimistic Sam will be fine. Play the game with Sam and get through it."

McCowan, who has carried 52 times for 196 yards and three touchdowns this season, said he's looking forward to the challenge.

"It puts a little more pressure on me," said McCowan, who also returns kickoffs. "I've got to step up, do more roles, do more assignments.

"I've got to stay healthy, do the best I can to help the team."

Running backs coach Aaron Ingram said his players have taken plenty of pounding.

"That whole room's beat up," he said. "Terrance has taken some beatings. Evander's kind of like an expensive sports car. He's in the shop for three to four weeks just to get fixed.

"The weather's not helping (Wilkins), being cold out. … He's itching to get back, real bad. I wish I could wake up and have it all fixed tomorrow."

So do the players.

"I'll take it day by day and see what happens," said Dailey, whose 88.1 rushing yards per game ranks fourth in the Big Sky.

"I'll try to get my full range of motion back. … It's kind of a disappointment."

Wilkins said he didn't expect to return until the last game of the season, against UC Davis, after reinjuring his left hamstring.

"It's not really looking good right now," he said. "I tried to come back to practice maybe a little bit too early. I just pushed it a little bit."

That puts the spotlight on McCowan, who has shown promise with his breakaway speed.

"This is why we recruited Sam," Ingram said. "He has a lot on his plate. He's such a pleaser. He doesn't want to ever let anyone down.

"This week should be a good week for him to really showcase what he can do."