Gazette-Times Reporter

Oregon State football fans have grown accustomed to small, compact running backs pounding and weaving their way through defenses in recent years.

There have been standouts such as Ken Simonton, Yvenson Bernard and now Jacquizz Rodgers.

Rodgers is a 5-foot-7, 193-pound ball of muscle true freshman who has become the primary tailback for the Beavers. He leads the Pacific-10 Conference in rushing with 112.2 yards a game, and is ranked 14th in the nation.

The Beavers strive for a balanced offense each week in terms of the number of plays called. And when the running game is going, everything else works.

So how Rodgers plays makes a difference between success and failure. He’ll be needed as the Beavers face No. 15-ranked Utah at 6 p.m. today in Salt Lake City, and beyond.

“I think it’s special,” running backs coach Reggie Davis said. “Every true freshman can’t handle what he can handle. He’s just a competitor. If you have it in the inside, that makes a difference. It’s pretty rare to see what he’s doing.”

Rodgers made a splash on the national stage last week with 186 yards and two touchdowns on 37 carries against then top-ranked Southern California. He made tacklers miss and powered through them when needed.

His running allowed the Beavers (2-2) to control the tempo and demoralize USC’s defense. That will be needed against Utah (5-0), which possesses the fifth-best run defense in the country allowing 60.2 yards a game.

“We are finding out more about Quizz as we go,” coach Mike Riley said. “He’s only been here a couple of months. He looked very comfortable in the zone (running) play as Yvenson did, so he apparently has the same ability in the inside zone. It’s our wish to enhance his ability.”

Rodgers was still critical of himself during the week, in a lighthearted way.

“With 37 carries, I expect my average per carry up,” he said of his 4.5 average. “And I’m looking to break off a big run. That has yet to come.”

To do that Rodgers must overcome the outside distractions of the spotlight. He was interviewed by several national media outlets this week, and he’s going to be a weekly guest on a Portland radio show.

At least the Heisman campaign hasn’t begun — yet.

Opponents, however, know they have to stop the little back that could.

Rogers takes all the fuss in stride. He’s on to the next contest, showing the same focus on the games he has in his intense training away from the team.

“Not really,” Rodgers said when asked if he’s overwhelmed with exposure. “I think I put in the time and effort to get this type of attention.”

But will the limelight fade?

Soon after the USC game, questions started to come about his durability. Can he handle the pounding at the Division I level?

Bernard did, but did so in a lot of pain. He developed stinger and knee problems by his second season of full-time work. He was used regularly the last three seasons of his career.

“It is a lot of carries,” Riley said of the 37 by Rodgers. “He has done it before. He’s a highly-conditioned and strong athlete. I’m not going to say we are going to give him the ball 37 more times this week, but if we are going along and we need that to win the game, he’s very capable.”

For the record, Rodgers carried the ball around 30 times a game at Lamar Consolidated High near Houston. He carried it 40 times once.

Also to note, Riley goes with who he trusts. Bernard stayed in the game most of the time because he was the best run and pass blocker in the backfield, the best receiver out of the backfield and most reliable ball carrier.

Rodgers already fits those parameters for being the every down back. He averages 129.2 total yards a game with 99 carries and nine receptions.

And most importantly, no fumbles.

“At this point, no,” Riley said of being concerned with Rodgers staying healthy. “We’ll monitor that. We’re not going to set a platoon system, but we are aware of having a good backup and he can play. But I’ve never been opposed to giving the ball to a guy 30-plus times in a game.”

As for the other backs, Ryan McCants and Jeremy Francis are still trying to earn some playing time. McCants began the season as the starter but was quickly surpassed by Rodgers.

Riley doesn’t like to take backs out of the game just to do it because they get into a rhythm with all the work, and they get better as the game progresses.

“Whatever game we are in, we’ll play it,” Riley said. “Quizz was on a roll that last time and we didn’t want to change it. We want to get Ryan McCants more turns, but we won’t predetermine that. But we do feel good about Ryan McCants when he’s in the game.”

So for now, enjoy the Quizz Show. As long as he’s a hit, he’ll stay in prime time.

“It has been fun coaching him,” Davis said. “What I like about this whole group (of running backs) is they actually listen to you and do what you ask them to do. He in particular is able to listen, take what you tell him on the sidelines and make quick adjustments.”