Reliable Buffs RB Rodney Stewart ready to roll at KSU

At the start of the year, Colorado fans were ready for running back Darrell Scott to take over the running attack. But after a season full of knee issues for Scott, who underwent an arthroscopic procedure yesterday that will take him out for up to three weeks, another back has emerged as the workhorse for CU.

Rodney Stewart has provided some of the more exciting plays for an offense that has been somewhat dull. His 36-yard touchdown run is still the longest scoring play of the season. He’s also been a reliable option, carrying more than 20 times the past four weeks. Many thought Stewart would be used as a change-up back, but Stewart always expected to be the guy.

“Yeah, because of how I did last year,” Stewart said. “Before I was injured, I was getting the ball a lot of times each game. I knew if I was stronger and faster coming into this sophomore season I could do better things.”

While Stewart has been ready for the responsibility, he’s also aware of the risks. Stewart has rushed 104 times in five games, four times as much as the next closest player. At 5-foot-6 and 170 pounds, you wonder if such a frame can hold up the rest of the season.

“Am I worried? Kinda,” Stewart said. “I hope I don’t have to sit any games out and finish out the season different from last year.” Stewart missed the final three weeks of 2008.

Now with a role as the feature back secured, he’ll need to continue improving a rushing attack that’s second to last in the conference. Stewart and the Buffs will get another chance Saturday morning against 4-3 Kansas State. The Wildcats are the early leader in the Big 12 North race, with a 2-1 conference record.

Coming off a surprising 62-14 win against Texas A&M, the Wildcats may be ready for a letdown, or could be looking ahead to their next opponent, Oklahoma. Here are the three keys for Colorado to catch Kansas State napping.

RUN STUFFERS

For the past two weeks, Colorado has been as good as anyone stopping the run. CU let Texas do minimal damage in Austin, holding it to 46 yards. The next week, the rush defense was more than perfect; Kansas lost 8 yards net.

How have they done it? Dan Hawkins says it’s a matter of time. “Just some experience,” Hawkins said. “Those guys have played more games, and you go from having true freshmen starting their first games to playing some of the best teams in the nation. That helps them kind of get a feel for it.”

You could see that feel last week when Kansas kept trying to lull the Colorado defense to sleep with a simple toss play. Kansas ran this about four times to the right side, and each time the Buffs held the attempt under a couple of yards. Twice they made a tackle for a loss, and the Jayhawks had to abandon whatever they were trying to set up.

A fine showing of discipline for the younger players, more of whom will be needed against a stronger running back Saturday. Daniel Thomas is a big, strong ball carrier for the Wildcats. He rarely gets pushed backward for a loss. He scored four touchdowns and gained 91 yards last week as part of Kansas State’s rout of Texas A&M, all in the first half.

KEEP UP THE PRESSURE

If the Buffs force Kansas State to become one-dimensional, they can finish them off with a strong pass rush. Kansas State’s passing game is last in the Big 12, with only one game over 200 yards. The Wildcats also have changed quarterbacks: Grant Gregory was named the starter over Carson Coffman after week four.

Getting to Gregory is important because while he isn’t putting up huge yards, he is very accurate in the pocket, throwing at a completion rate of 66 percent. Colorado had its best night of quarterback pressure last week against Kansas, recording five sacks.

“It’s just the details, the little things,” said defensive end Marquez Herrod, who had three of those sacks himself. “We came out there and played with a passion. We know we’re better than our record shows, and we just want to prove it.”

The other time Colorado got four or more sacks this season, they shut out Wyoming, 24-0.

GRAB AND HOLD THE EARLY LEAD

Another common thread between the wins against Kansas and Wyoming is the way the Buffaloes quickly built a large lead. Kansas State is a dangerous team to trail. Since 1990, the Wildcats are 136-5 when leading at the half, 3-0 this season.

What’s different about the two Colorado wins, and more concerning, is Kansas’ stretch of 20 unanswered points to take back the lead. Kansas QB Todd Reesing led the Jawhawks to scores on four of their last six possessions in the second half and had a chance to win on the final play.  The Buffs need go up on the Wildcats early and then try to wear them down. This is especially key on the road, given that CU hasn’t won a game as the visitor for more than two years. Winning big in Manhattan could give the team the confidence necessary for its two final road games, against Iowa State and Oklahoma State.

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