Buffs' Lee Ready To Line Up At RB

BOULDER — By the end of last week's Colorado-Colorado State game, the Buffs' normally full stable of running backs was virtually down to one horse.

Michael Adkins II, Phillip Lindsay and Patrick Carr had all suffered injuries, leaving Christian Powell as the only healthy back with any real experience. Powell did a solid of carrying the load, finishing with 58 yards on 15 carries, including back-to-back 6-yard carries in overtime that put the Buffs in good position for Diego Gonzalez's winning field goal.

But while Powell brings power to the table, he doesn't offer the same quick burst of speed that Lindsay, Adkins and Carr all offer. Thus, the Buffs did not have a solid change-of-pace option down the stretch of last weekend's contest.

This week, however, the Buffs will have that option available again, even if Lindsay, Adkins and Carr aren't available. Earlier this week, head coach Mike MacIntyre said CU would use wide receiver/slotback Donovan Lee in the backfield in Saturday's home game against the Nicholls Colonels (11:30 a.m. kickoff, Pac-12 Network).

"He was a running back in high school and we used him in the backfield at different things last year," MacIntyre said. "It's not a huge change for him."

Lee actually has more rushing yards this year than receiving. While he has yet to catch a pass, he had a 12-yard run last week on a "fly sweep" that gave the Buffs a first down in the second half. He spent a substantial amount of time in spring ball lining up at running back, and last season, had eight rushes for 39 yards.

Of course those numbers are nowhere near what he produced in high school. As a senior at Chaminade College Prep in West Hills, Calif., Lee ran for 1,979 yards and 37 touchdowns.

When he came to CU, however, coaches moved him to wide receiver, a position they thought was a better fit for his 5-foot-9, 175-pound frame.

"It's nice — I'm looking forward to it," Lee said of the move. "I've played running back my whole life, ever since Pop Warner. Coach stressed how roles change and how you have to be prepared to fill in wherever possible, and I want to be in a position to help in any way I can. That's what I'm trying to do."

MacIntyre said Lee's move to running back likely wouldn't be permanent, but said it would also depend upon the health of CU's other backs.

It's also possible the Buffs will keep Lee at the ready at the position in an effort to utilize his speed in as many ways as possible.

There's no doubt Lee's role is growing. Against the Rams, he also had a pair of kickoff returns for 58 yards.

But he admits he's ready to get some plays in lined up behind the quarterback.

"It still feels pretty natural back there," he said. "Really, it doesn't matter what type of run it is, I just like having the ball in my hands. It means more opportunities to make plays and I'm enjoying it."

As for learning the playbook, Lee said that hasn't been a problem.

"Even at receiver, you have to know where the back is and the concepts," Lee said. "That part of it comes pretty natural."

MacIntyre said Lee would definitely get some carries in Saturday's game, and would almost certainly still lineup at wide receiver.

"He can easily go at receiver or running back," MacIntyre said. "He's built well enough to do it."