Charles Jones gives Kansas State an unexpected running boost

Bill Snyder never publicly criticizes his players, but he came close with junior running back Charles Jones.

Whenever someone asked Snyder about Jones at the season’s outset, he said Jones could do more. Behind closed doors, he used harsher language. He was even more direct when speaking to Jones. Snyder thought Jones was capable of more than the 42.1 rushing yards he has averaged for the Wildcats, and he let him know it — continually.

So Snyder was understandably excited when Jones erupted for a career-best 122 yards in 18 carries against Texas, shedding tacklers and charging ahead for big gains in a smash-mouth game.

“I am pleased that he has done that,” Snyder said, “and that he has performed like he is capable of. That is all I can ask of any player, that you be as good as you can possibly be. Part of that, for him, is his aggressive running style. That is what was missing. He has made a great deal of headway in that respect. I am very proud of him for it.”

The tough love is finally paying off.

After rushing for 540 yards last season and losing his starting job to redshirt freshman Justin Silmon with three lousy games this season, Jones has re-emerged as K-State’s top rushing option. Jones has given the Wildcats a noticeable lift in three of their last four games. He caught a 72-yard pass against Oklahoma State, ran for 75 yards and two touchdowns against TCU and looked like the best player on the field against Texas.

He has gone from forgotten to indispensable in the span of a month.

Few, other than Snyder, saw this coming. Or thought this transformation possible. Outside of running for 13 touchdowns as a sophomore, Jones was trending the wrong direction. He amassed a total of 87 rushing yards in his first four games as a junior, getting caught in the backfield too often, failing to beat defenders to the edge and rarely fooling tacklers with juke moves. Then he switched to a more straightforward running style, and success followed.

What changed? Snyder jokes that Jones was tired of his tough love. Jones defers credit.

“It’s all about just trusting in my offensive line, the tight ends and the fullbacks,” said Jones, from Mandeville, La. “They are just blocking their butts off. They give me confidence. Seeing how hard they work in practice gives me confidence to go out there and do what I can.”

K-State center Dalton Risner said coaches showed so much confidence in Jones against Texas that they called the same play — 24 Power — four straight times in the second half. Jones led the Wildcats within scoring range, but the drive stalled when he asked for a breather and exited the game.

“Man, he has been running so hard,” Risner said. “He is running downhill. He is not trying to do too many moves. He has got his moves, but he is just running hard. I went and told him that after the Texas game. He is running so well, making good plays in open space. That is what you want to see as an offensive lineman.

“Whenever you block all your guys, there is going to be one guy free you can’t get to, and he was making plays and beating them.”

K-State will likely turn to Jones even more against No. 2 Baylor. The Bears allow 151.3 rushing yards a game, and the Wildcats want to run the ball to control the clock and keep the ball away from Baylor’s high-powered offense.

When Jones ran effectively against No. 5 TCU, the Wildcats built a big halftime lead and nearly pulled an upset. Logically, they will try to follow the same formula, then aim for better execution in the second half.

Jones should play a big role Thursday, but Snyder stops short of describing Jones as a workhorse runner. If Silmon gets a hot hand, he won’t hesitate to lean on him instead of Jones. The tough love may never stop.

Snyder still thinks Jones is capable of more.

This story was originally published November 4, 2015 at 4:41 PM with the headline "Charles Jones gives Kansas State an unexpected running boost."