Roberts runs rampant

Charles Roberts leads the nation in rushing with 1,596 yards after 8 games

Charles Roberts knew that it was not time to let up.

Just named the nation's leading rusher in Division I-AA Football on Monday, Roberts responded by breaking CSUS' single-game records in rushing yards and carries in Saturday's game against Northern Arizona University. He put Hornet football in the spotlight and gave the students on campus something to be proud of.

Roberts Yard-o-meter Charles Roberts has rushed for 1,596 yards through 8 games. He is the leading rusher in Division 1-AA with 3 games remaining and a candidate for the Walter Payton trophy (Division 1-AA version of the Heisman trophy.) He needs only 404 yards to reach 2,000.

Since high school, Roberts possessed the skills to play college ball. He proved that when he amassed over 2,500 yards rushing in two varsity years. In that time period, he was also named to the first team all-Inland Valley League and first team all-Mt. Baldy League.

Although he is only five foot six inches tall and 170 pounds, the sophomore from Montclair, California can play football. What he lacks in size, he makes up for in his ability to play. It is his determination to be the best, and his willingness to let his teammates lead the way that have allowed him to be a Walter Payton Trophy candidate, Division 1-AA's version of the Heisman.

For the final three games of the season, Roberts is on pace to challenge school records in yards rushing, rushing attempts and rushing touchdowns in a single season. Continuing at his current pace of 199.5 yards per game, Roberts would surpass the elusive 2,000-yard mark in rushing during the Idaho State game in two weeks.

"I always thought that I would be among the leaders in the Big Sky rushing the ball, but never a leader in the nation. It is a great honor to have my name mentioned along with other great backs," Roberts said.

Currently, he is second in two categories behind former CSUS standout Troy Mills. He needs 73 more rushing yards and two more touchdowns to beat the Mill's single-season records set in 1991. Nationally, he trails only Texas' Ricky Williams among all NCAA Division One running backs in rushing yards per game.

Roberts is the type of player that gives credit before receiving praise.

"Having more opportunities to run the ball this year is one, thing but a lot of my success has to do with the players blocking for me," he says. "My teammates love to run block and open holes for me. Plus the quarterbacks have made good decisions during the game to get me the ball at the right time."

Head coach John Volek said Roberts' increased work ethic and CSUS' new training facilities that have helped improve his game from last season.

"Thanks to the new weight room built by the boosters our team has been able to elevate their play and Charles is one of them," he said.

Roberts' teammates praise him as a person as well as a player. Quarterback A.J. Bernhardt said that he is the kind of person you want to be around.

"Charles is a great guy. He's not cocky or arrogant and he works hard. Most of the time we never know that he's around because he so quiet," he said.

Left guard Jon Osterhout says that during games, Roberts is always cracking jokes in the huddle and getting players to work hard on every play with his enthusiasm.

"He is just a fun guy to be around. In practice I'm always bear hugging and choking him between plays. I love the guy and love blocking for him," he said.

Head coach John Volek also understands how important Roberts is to his team. "His teammates know that having Charles in the spotlight is great for our program. He earns their respect by not only running the ball but being able to pass block and catch the ball. They have great pride in Charles because he works just as hard as them."

Roberts chose to play at CSUS because he wanted to stay close to his parents, who still live in Montclair.

"Mostly Big Sky schools were recruiting me out of high school, especially Portland State. I thought that was where I would go until Sac State came into the picture," he said.

Volek admitted that he did not know what he had in Roberts. He was recruited because of his versatility to play more than one position.

"But when he started to give our starting defense problems in practice, I knew that we had someone special," Volek said.

Today Roberts knows that he made the right decision. The team is young and gaining experience with every game and the team believes in their coaching staff.

"Coach Volek has a great vision for this football team," Roberts said. "He has been very patient even though a lot of people have been hard on him. I know that Sac State football is headed in the right direction."

Roberts has more on his mind than breaking records. He became a father to a baby girl, Quiaura, who is back in his hometown of Montclair. One might think it would be difficult to hand the pressures of college football and fatherhood; but nothing can catch Roberts.

Volek said he is impressed by Roberts' ability to juggle his responsibilities both on and off the field.

"We've talked to Charles about not letting the pressure build and he has responded well. He is a responsible father and understands that his family, along with his education, are the keys to his future," he said.