FORT COLLINS, Colo. — After a difficult three years at Colorado, Marcus Houston appears to have hit his stride at Colorado State.
Injuries and personality conflicts with a coach at Colorado kept Houston from seeing much playing time with the Buffaloes. But the senior running back showed no signs of those times as he bolted through a hole off right tackle en route to a long touchdown run during Sunday's practice with the Rams.
"This year is nice and quiet; he can be himself and just be a football player," said CSU coach Sonny Lubick. "There isn't all the write-ups, all the hype and the media writing about something that appeared in the paper almost every day."
Houston, part of CU's highly touted 2000 recruiting class, transferred to CSU in early 2003 and won rare NCAA approval to begin playing right away.
In his first season with the Rams, Houston was the team's second-leading rusher with 636 yards and nine touchdowns on 158 carries.
"I think there were some ups and downs last year, but in spite of the downs I was able to come out of it a stronger person, mentally tougher and physically better," Houston said. "I just believe the adversity and the challenges that have come my way have made me a stronger person."
With games against defending national co-champion Southern California, Minnesota and Colorado, the Rams play their toughest preseason in the program's history.
Houston is No. 2 on the depth chart at running back behind junior Jimmy Green. Uldis Jaunarajs, Tristan Walker and Gartrell Johnson aren't far behind in one of the deepest, most competitive positions on the field.
"Everyone is going to get their turn," Lubick said. "We have two or three guys that we feel will go in there and play very well for us."
Houston said his personal accomplishments on the field take second place to the team's goals.
"My college career is coming to a peak as an upperclassman, but as far as what I have to accomplish, I want to contribute to a winning program and be a leader," Houston said.
Off the field, Houston continues to run his "Just Say Know" program, to encourage education and community service.
"That is something I always enjoyed doing. It is part of my spirit," said Houston, who is scheduled to graduate in December.