RB Isaiah Augustave becoming bigger part of CU Buffs offense

BOULDER — Deion Sanders is not shy about what Colorado wants out of its current crop of running backs.

“We want one of them to jump out and stand shoulders above the others,” Sanders said Tuesday.

Sophomore Isaiah Augustave is beginning to do just that and it’s likely going to earn him a second straight start this Saturday as the Buffaloes host Cincinnati in a big-time Big 12 clash.

Four of CU’s five scholarship running backs have had the chance to start this season, with Charlie Offerdahl getting the first nod and Dallan Hayden and Micah Welch also getting their shot in the first month.

But after a performance like the one Augustave had last weekend at Arizona, he’s earned a second straight start. Sanders is clear about what he’s looking for from the running back position, and right now Augustave is doing everything asked of him.

“(Augustave) hits it, he’s physical, he runs down hill, not second guessing trying to bounce to the outside,” Sanders said. “The big fella does not hesitate.”

The sophomore from Naples, Fla., had a season-high 53 yards on 14 carries against the Wildcats and was a key part of the Buffs’ success on third down — 9-for-18 in the game — as his nearly four yards per carry helped the offense stay out of third-and-long situations and thrive in the third-and-short situations, of which 13 of the team’s 18 third downs came.

“That’s always been the plan all year to try to get the run game to just average four yards a carry and stay ahead of the chains and give Coach (Pat) Shurmur an opportunity to open his playbook,” running backs coach Gary “Flea” Harrell said. “We were able to do that this past game. (Augus a hard runner. He’s gonna get four yards because of his natural running ability. It helps us out a lot.

“It gives us confidence as far as going into a second-and-6 situation instead of second-and-10 and with the quarterback we have, we feel confident in many situations, but you give him the most favorable position… it opens up so many opportunities for us in the course of a game and a series.”

Augustave didn’t see any action in the season opener against North Dakota State and a fumble in Week 3 limited his touches until the Kansas State game, when the Buffs turned to him amidst some struggles running the football. He got his first touchdown at CU in that game and added another at Arizona.

“Once you’re in and you’re doing good things, you’re in control,” Harrell said. “But if one (fumble) happens, which sometimes that will, you gotta be strong enough mentally to bounce back and he was able to bounce back strongly from that.”

Augustave joined the Buffs in the summer after one season at Arkansas, where he came on late in the season and had a 100-yard game against Florida International in the penultimate game of the year.

He’s found his stride a few months earlier in his second collegiate season. This fall, he’s also got something else to play for — his five-month-old daughter.

“I just want to be able to provide for her and I just want her to grow up and see me play,” Augustave said. “If I don’t do good out there, I feel like she doesn’t eat. I’ve gotta give it 110% out there so she can be able to eat at night.”

Colorado individual rushing stats (through 7 games)

Isaiah Augustave: 41 carries, 180 yards, 2 touchdowns

Dallan Hayden: 38 carries, 131 yards, 1 touchdown

Micah Welch: 24 carries, 121 yards, 3 touchdowns

Charlie Offerdahl: 21 carries, 99 yards