BOULDER — Want to know how Colorado freshman tailback Tony Jones handled all the pressure this week in preparing for the Buffaloes’ first Pac-12 Conference football game?
With a smile on his face.
“Tony is young, but you can tell that he has faced big situations before,” CU senior quarterback Tyler Hansen said, referring to Jones having played high school ball for New Jersey powerhouse Don Bosco Prep.
Jones might get his most extensive playing time of the season in today’s Pac-12 opener with Washington State (2-1) at Folsom Field. Starting tailback Rodney Stewart has played the past two games with a banged-up right shoulder, and CU coach Jon Embree said he needs to let Stewart catch his breath on occasion.
Although Colorado (1-3) lists Jones as the top backup at tailback, the 5-foot-7, 175-pounder has drawn only spot duty, with eight carries for 41 yards through four games. That figures to change, starting today.
“We can’t let Rodney get hurt,” Jones said. “I’m going to do the best I can to help him and help our team. I’m excited.”
Excited, but not nervous. Jones might as well have played with a bull’s-eye on his chest each time he suited up for Don Bosco. In Jones’ senior season of 2009, Don Bosco went undefeated and was voted the nation’s top team by numerous publications.
Don Bosco went 47-1 during Jones’ four years.
“You have to understand, a guy like Tony, he has already had some big-time moments in his career, so the game doesn’t get too big,” offensive coordinator Eric Bieniemy said.
Here’s a good sign for Buffs’ fan of Jones’ ability to step up. Jones said Don Bosco’s biggest test in 2009 came against Alabama power Prattville High in a game televised nationally by ESPN. Jones rushed for 220 yards and three touchdowns in a victory.
He also scored three times in a victory over Northern California power De La Salle.
“At Bosco, we’d play anybody, so I got used to being in big games,” Jones said. “And I’m used to playing with talented players and (physically) big guys. That helped me transition to college ball. I’m grateful for that.”
Jones was named New Jersey’s Gatorade player of the year after rushing for 1,387 yards and 34 touchdowns as a senior. Amazingly, Colorado became his only major-college scholarship offer.
‘Other schools were looking for bigger backs,” Jones said. “The fact that Colorado found me was a blessing. I’m pretty sure I would have gotten another scholarship, but it probably would have been with a Division II school. I knew I could play at this level if somebody gave me a chance.”
Fast enough to turn the corner but never reluctant to run between the tackles, Jones redshirted last fall and then caught the attention of CU coaches in the spring by combining for 189 yards rushing in the three major scrimmages.
Jones had only four touches last weekend at Ohio State but was productive with two carries for 18 yards and two receptions for 28 yards. All came during Colorado’s fourth-quarter touchdown drive.
“The thing I love about Tony,” Bieniemy said, “is he’s such a student of the game. He takes notes. He’s not afraid to ask questions.”
Jones’ eight carries are the only attempts by a CU running back other than Stewart. Bieniemy said he also would like to get a third tailback some work. That would be sophomore walk-on Josh Ford, a former Mullen athlete.
Colorado had hoped to feature a power running attack, but the Buffs enter Pac-12 play ranked No. 11 in rushing offense, ahead only of Arizona. Perhaps keeping Stewart fresh by giving more carries to others will help.
“Sometimes the ebb and flow of games dictates what you can do with your running game,” Bieniemy said. “But I need to be a better manager of that group. I hope we can unleash those guys.”
Footnote. The Washington State-Colorado game will be broadcast on FCS Pacific (Comcast Channel 415, DirecTV Channel 698, Dish Channel 409).
Tom Kensler: 303-954-1280 or tkensler@denverpost.com
Meager attack
A look at Colorado’s rushing totals through four games.
Player Att Yards Loss Total Avg. TDs
Rodney Stewart 72 303 25 278 3.8 0
Tony Jones 8 41 0 41 5.1 0
Tyler Hansen* 28 84 64 20 0.7 2
Paul Richardson** 1 9 0 9 9.0 0
*Includes 10 sacks for 63 yards in losses
** On an end-around
