Colorado’s Lindsay poses major concern for Bears
After Phillip Lindsay churned out a 200-yard rushing game against Arizona State last season, he asked his offensive linemen to join him in the postgame news conference.
When a media-relations staffer introduced the group as, “Phillip Lindsay and his offensive line,” the Colorado running back made a quick amendment: “It’s the offensive line and Phillip Lindsay.”
Nearly a year later, it’s becoming increasingly difficult for Lindsay to stay in the background, and he’ll be the focal point of Cal’s defensive game plan Saturday in Boulder, Colo.
“He’s a really complete back,” Cal defensive coordinator Tim DeRuyter said Wednesday. “He’s a back that’s not real, real big, but he runs powerfully. He can really burst, he’s got great vision and patience, and he can catch the football. For a smaller guy, he does a great job in protection.
“He’s really a three-down back, and to me, he’s one of the best backs in our conference.”
Lindsay is actually one of the best backs in the country, ranking No. 7 in rushing yards (136.6 per game) and No. 9 in all-purpose yards (155.4 per game). For all of the warranted attention Penn State’s Saquon Barkley has received, Lindsay has 318 more rushing yards and five more rushing touchdowns than the Heisman favorite.
The 5-foot-8, 190-pound senior has been adding to his totals at an absurd rate lately. In the past three games, he has run 98 times for 564 yards and five touchdowns.
“He can do everything really, really well,” Colorado head coach Mike MacIntyre said. “He can run well. He’s powerful. He’s small, but he’s powerful. He’s fast. He can outrun an entire defense. He can outrun angles. He has great hands out of the backfield. He’s an excellent receiver. He’s an excellent blocker, and he brings excellent energy. He could play on all of our special teams, too.
“He’s also a back that is durable. He can carry the rock 40 times a game and keep going. I think he’s one of the best backs in the Pac-12, no doubt about it.”
There’s no doubt that Lindsay is one of the best backs in the history of Colorado’s program.
Nicknamed the “Tasmanian Devil” for his running style, Lindsay is the school’s all-time leader with 5,272 all-purpose yards (3,326 rushing, 869 receiving and 1,077 returning).
Already the record holder for Colorado running backs with 104 career receptions, Lindsay is trying to become the first player in school history to reach both 1,000 rushing and 1,000 receiving yards in his career.
On his way to that goal, Lindsay set school marks with 41 carries and 281 rushing yards Oct. 7 against Arizona.
“I really like how he plays,” Cal running back Patrick Laird said. “… Any back that can have that many carries is definitely a guy you’ve got to respect.” The respect goes both ways. “Cal is a physical defense,” Lindsay said. “They’re hungry. Last year, they were in a boat where they were struggling, and this year, they’re trying to make a name for themselves. They’re out there playing ball.”
The Bears’ defense has made marked improvements, dropping from 42.6 points allowed per game to 28.4 and 272.9 rushing yards allowed per game to 175.4.
If the Bears find a way to contain Lindsay on Saturday, they might demand an 11-man postgame news conference.