FORT COLLINS — Linebacker James Skelton was asked this week if San Diego State running back Ronnie Hillman compares to anyone the Colorado State defense has faced this season.
“In quickness, probably CU’s back (Rodney Stewart),” Skelton said. “A guy that’s strong and as quick as this guy? Probably not.”
That list of backs CSU has faced this season includes Boise State’s Doug Martin, a player who is fairly high on a number of experts’ draft boards.
Hillman deserves that much respect. Or fear, depending on the angle you’re coming from. One thing is understood: Stopping the speedy sophomore today at Hughes Stadium is a task as tall as Jack’s beanstalk.
“Hillman is just a tremendous talent,” CSU defensive coordinator Larry Kerr said. “Great change of direction. He’s got vision, he can stop and start and change direction on a dime. . . . He’s got a little bit more size this year. But probably even more of a threat, now they are throwing him the football. Last year they didn’t throw him the football as much. He’s really a talented guy now that they are finding ways to get his hands on the ball even in the passing game, which makes it tough.”
Hillman is the nation’s second-leading rusher, with 1,198 yards and counting. He’s averaging 6.0 yards per carry and has 13 touchdowns. Last season, he sliced through Colorado State’s defense for 151 yards and a touchdown.
Now, he’s better.
“The biggest difference is he’s a little bit bigger and stronger,” SDSU coach Rocky Long said. “He’s breaking more arm tackles than he did last year, but other than that it’s the same running back. I bet he’s carrying the ball more this year than he did last year too.”
Hillman has had to shoulder more of the load because of the Aztecs’ hit-and-miss passing game. But no matter. They just throw the ball to Hillman.
“We’re trying to use him because he’s one of our best weapons,” Long said.
CSU allows a whopping 225.9 rushing yards per game, which ranks 114th out of 120 FBS teams. Because of that, Kerr is aware his defense will see Hillman early and often.
“They watch tape,” Kerr said. “Their strength is the run, and they know right now we’re struggling against the run. So, I think it’s a matchup they’ve got to feel pretty good about. For us, it’s a challenge.”
Stopping any team’s running backs has been a problem for CSU, which seems to know what the problems are but has not been able to fully correct them on Saturdays.
Should those problems continue against San Diego State, Hillman will be in for a big day.
“If somebody is not in their gap, he’ll hit it, he’ll find it,” Skelton said, who noted the key to slowing him down is “just doing your assignment. You can’t approach it different than any other week. So, just try to do your assignment, hold your gap. If you hold your gap he doesn’t have anywhere to go. And if he has nowhere to go, he can’t run.”
Chris Dempsey: 303-954-1279 or cdempsey@denverpost.com
