FORT COLLINS — On any given day, Chris Nwoke has YouTube fired up with his favorite running backs on the screen.
Terrell Davis. Adrian Peterson. Shonn Greene.
Collectively, the former Broncos star and current Vikings and Jets stars, respectively, represent everything the Colorado State sophomore running back wants to be — a physical grinder with the ability to be elusive and break away in the open field.
“They’re physical and just hit the hole hard and make the defense react to you,” Nwoke said. “That’s my style. I like watching a lot of good backs. When I watch, I think that’s the most success, when you’re physical, because it wears defenses down and then you’re able to get those explosive plays later.”
Lately, that physical style is becoming more of a Nwoke trademark. He is putting his stamp on the offense and, more and more, has the look of a No. 1 back in a system that doles out its carries to at least two — and sometimes three — ball carriers.
“He runs the ball real hard,” quarterback Pete Thomas said. “He’s getting better in pass protection, understanding everything better. He’s a great back. I feel comfortable with him out there. And I think he’s a nice change of pace to (Raymond Carter).”
Nwoke slammed his way to a career-high 156 yards in CSU’s loss at UNLV, averaging a hefty 6.8 yards per carry in the process. It was the first 100-yard game in his career and just the second 100-yard performance by a CSU back this season.
Nwoke, a former star at ThunderRidge High School, is blossoming.
“He is that type of back that there’s not a lot of pretty,” CSU coach Steve Fairchild said. “He’s going to wear you down, so the more carries he gets, I think the better chance he has of wearing down second-level defenders and the better he feels.”
Nwoke’s carried the ball 23 times in each of the last two games, racking up 249 yards and two touchdowns. CSU has been starved for consistency in the running game, and it appears with Nwoke’s improvement it is starting to get some.
“I’m more patient and trusting my blockers more,” Nwoke said. “There were times when at the beginning of the season I used to rush. You’re tempted when you see the hole just to hit it. But really to get those big plays, those explosive plays, wait for the last block, be patient, let the scheme develop before you hit it. I’m learning that.”
Fairchild stresses he is still running a two-back system, though Nwoke has assumed the lion’s share of the load. Carter has also been effective, with 369 yards and two touchdowns on 80 carries this season.
But it appears to be Nwoke’s show right now. Saturday, CSU needs him to pick up where he left off. San Diego State is allowing almost 200 yards rushing per game.
Chris Dempsey: 303-954-1279 or cdempsey@denverpost.com
