Head To Head Matchup: Running Back

Gain 166 yards against West Virginia last Thursday night and be listed at number four on the Colorado depth charts. That is exactly where freshman Rodney Stewart is listed after his spectacular night against the Mountaineers.

5-10/220 sophomore Demetrius Sumler is listed at the top of the charts. The Buffs consider Sumler the most versatile of the running backs. The coaches selected him as the Fred Casotti Award winner as the most improved offensive back during spring practice. For the first three games of the 2008 season, Sumler has rushed for 43 yards and 0 TD. Not exactly the stats of the premier back on the team.

The 5-6/175 Rodney Stewart is ranked number six in the Big 12 Conference in rushing yards with 242 yards and averages almost 6 yards a carry. The Colorado roster description about Stewart says that he is projected as a tailback in his true freshman season in college, and figures to make an immediate impact in the return game on special teams.

The tailback to watch in addition to Stewart is Darrell Scott who has rushed for 128 yards and 1 TD through three games. The 6-1/225 freshman was projected as a tailback in his true freshman season in college. Sporting News selected him as the Big 12’s top impact freshman and Lindy’s Big 12 Football tabbed him as the Offensive Newcomer of the Year in the conference. Colorado's defensive tackle George Hypolite said this about Scott. "... if I'm worth my salt, in three years, you'll be talking about him winning the Heisman Trophy."

It is interesting to note that Colorado has three rushing TDs in three games and two of those were by QB Cody Hawkins.

On the Nole side,the running game was almost non-existent Saturday against Wake Forest. In the game, Antone Smith had eight touches for 24 yards rushing and a fumble. For the season Smith has 148 yards rushing and 2 TDs. He is averaging 5.3 yards a carry.

Jimbo Fisher this week has indicated that establishing a running game is crucial. Freshman Jermaine Thomas who had 125 yards in the first two games did not play in the Wake game as running back/receiver Preston Parker returned to action. It is apparent that the Noles need Smith to turn it up a notch or perhaps give someone else a shot at being a play maker.