BOULDER — Once boasting a stable of running backs, Colorado now has a workhorse to carry most of the load.
In the past two games, junior tailback Rodney Stewart has accounted for 48 of the 52 carries (92.3 percent) by CU running backs. That does not include runs by quarterbacks or receivers.
“Speedy” doesn’t mind.
“I’m pretty tough,” Stewart said. “I’m pretty strong. And I’ve got a high tolerance for pain. So I’ll be all right week to week. When you worry about getting hurt, that’s when you get hurt.”
Listed at 5-feet-6 and 175 pounds, Stewart doesn’t fit the profile of a conventional big-back workhorse. But he drew all 18 carries by running backs against Missouri and 30 of 34 versus Baylor.
Will Jefferson, who had just converted from wide receiver to tailback, got his name called for the other four carries against the Bears. CU running backs coach Darian Hagan said he will try to get Jefferson more carries Saturday in the game against Texas Tech.
Hagan said two players down the depth chart, redshirt freshman Quentin Hildreth and Corey Nabors, also might get a chance. But Stewart will continue to get “the bulk of the work,” Hagan said. “I have no doubt Rodney can hold up.”
Already one of the strongest players on the team, with a 400-pound bench press, Stewart added even more muscle mass during the offseason, Hagan said.
“That’s the way he wanted it, to be the guy,” Hagan said. “So we’re giving him that opportunity.”
Stewart ranks fifth in the Big 12 with 103 yards a game, including season bests of 149 yards against Georgia and 125 last week against Baylor. He is playing the most consistent football of his career, Hagan said, adding: “Speedy is doing a better job of concentrating and playing within the confines of our offense. The last two years, he was a freelancer.”
During the past 12 months, CU has lost four tailbacks Darrell Scott (quit the team last November), Demetrius Sumler (after 2009 declined to return for fifth year), Brian Lockridge (season-ending ankle injury against Georgia) and Justin Torres (quit the team Oct. 5).
Coach psychologist.
Hagan said he has had to boost the spirits of Jefferson this week and help the young tailback get over his fumble into the end zone against Baylor.
“You can’t let that linger,” Hagan said of mistakes. “If you let it linger, then you’re always going to doubt yourself. I told Will: ‘Just let it go. You’re not the first person that fumbled.’ “
Jefferson said discussions with Hagan have helped.
“But bottom line, I fumbled, and it made the whole day awful,” Jefferson said. “Up until that, I thought I had a decent day.”
He had 36 yards on four carries in his first game at RB since high school.
Footnotes.
Coach Dan Hawkins ended Wednesday’s scheduled two-hour morning practice 15 minutes early. “You have to cut a little bit,” he said. “It’s that way for everybody (at this point in the season). You’re beat up. You get done what you have to get done. But you have to know their limits.” . . . Junior safety and nickel back Travis Sandersfeld (fibula fracture in Week 2) practiced Wednesday and may be available for Saturday, depending on the soreness in the leg.
Tom Kensler, The Denver Post
