If the fullback is traditionally the center of the Air Force offensive universe, the current incarnation of the position in Colorado State’s offense is a black hole of anonymity.
Falcons fullback Jared Tew is fifth in Mountain West rushing, while sharing carries with three other ball carriers among the league’s top 10 ground gainers. CSU’s Zac Pauga isn’t quite a running back, at least not judged by carries, of which he’s had only six this season. At 6 feet and 240 pounds, Pauga is too short for a tight end, too wide for a wide receiver. Mostly he blocks, but unlike the offensive linemen, he finds the end zone.
In short, Pauga is the team’s unsung MVP on offense.
“Zac is a great football player,” Rams offensive coordinator Chris Peterson said. “Saturday we ran a reverse to Dion Morton, and Zac was 8 yards downfield blocking the defensive back. The next thing you know, Dion is in the end zone.”
Pauga set up a four-man escort for Morton on the 19-yard reverse. Peterson knows the coaches can ask the one-time linebacker recruit out of Green Mountain to do anything.
CSU coach Steve Fairchild joked earlier in the season about giving him a carry or two just to keep him happy. He’s gotten six and gained 20 yards.
Pauga is a happy guy, no matter his number of carries.
“For lack of a better job description, I’m more of a tight end,” Pauga said. “The tight ends coach (Marc Lubick) is my position coach.”
When he goes for long stretches without touching the ball, “that makes me feel a little bit more like a faster offensive lineman,” he said.
During CSU’s recent ill-fated trip to TCU, a Dallas Cowboys scout in the press box couldn’t help notice Pauga’s contribution to the blocking scheme against Jerry Hughes, TCU’s standout lineman.
“I do what I have to do. That’s that my job. I do it as best as I can,” Pauga said. “Obviously, I like to carry the ball. I understand I can’t carry the ball every snap. I like to block as well.”
His biggest reward is getting his name called in the passing game. He had a TD reception last Saturday against San Diego State and another in the Nevada game.
Peterson might not be joking about adding another role to Pauga’s list.
“All Zac wants to do is win,” Peterson said. “He’ll do what we ask him to do. We might have to have him throwing the football.”
Natalie Meisler: 303-954-1295 or nmeisler@denverpost.com
