Hardy, Versatile Chris Hardy a Hardly-Noticed Star at SDSU

Historically, running backs at San Diego State have been second-class citizens, mere bit players to a galaxy of quarterbacks and wide receivers.

Indeed, it was once jokingly suggested that Aztec offensive guards were the guys wearing numbers in the 30s, 40s and 60s. The guys wearing 60s lined up in front of the quarterback and the guys in the 30s and 40s lined up behind him, but they all had the same chore--pass blocking.

Running backs would block for quarterbacks, and presumably carry their books to class, open doors and maybe type term papers.

A running back going to SDSU was like a wide receiver going to Oklahoma--destined for obscurity.

The leading rusher in 1981 carried the ball 65 times . . . all year. The leading rusher in 1983 carried 132 times, but never for a touchdown. Just to establish that this is not a phenomenon of only recent vintage, the leading rusher in 1957 gained 218 yards . . . again all season.

The Aztec media guide lists individual leaders for each season since 1947, and The 1,000-Yard Club thus far numbers only five members. Mathematically, it is easier to become President of the United States.

Chris Hardy is the latest member of this exclusive fraternity. He rushed for 1,150 yards a year ago, when he also became the second back in SDSU history to have a pair of 200-yard games in the same season. He also had a pair of 92-yard touchdown runs.

In almost any other program, Hardy, now a senior, would adorn the cover of the media guide. However, at SDSU, the quarterback, junior Todd Santos, is the cover boy. Hardy’s deeds are on page 26, his niche carved between Hailey, free safety, and Hooper, defensive end.

With a rather significant encounter with UCLA scheduled for Saturday night at San Diego Jack Murphy Stadium, interest in SDSU is particularly high this week. The publicity staff is spending considerable time sorting through requests for interviews.

Almost all of these requests are for conversations with the aforementioned Mr. Santos.

It probably just does not occur to anyone that San Diego State has a 1,000-yard rusher. Indeed, should Hardy rush for 1,000 yards again this year, he will be the first runner in Aztec history to do so in back-to-back years.

This man is quietly making history hereabouts.

If this man is quietly making history, that is undoubtedly just fine with Coach Denny Stolz. Chris Hardy might be called the Aztecs’ Stealth Attacker. It is fine with Stolz if opponents know who Hardy is, but he would like to keep his whereabouts secret.

“The way we use Chris is similar to the way the Chargers use Gary Anderson,” Stolz said. “We like to move him around and not line him up in one spot. We don’t want the defense to lock into him in one set offensive formation.”

It would thus behoove the Bruins to take note of Hardy’s whereabouts on Saturday night before they worry about what Santos might be doing. SDSU plays begin with Santos, but more and more often they end with Hardy.

When the Aztecs were 37-30 winners at Utah last week, Hardy had the ball for 33 of 82 offensive plays. He rushed 28 times for 131 yards and caught 5 passes for 32 yards. He will likely catch more passes, because Stolz’s “now you see him, now you don’t” strategy will call for him to be aligned as a wide receiver as well as a running back.

Just like Gary Anderson.

All of this is fine with Chris Hardy. He is more interested in moving the ball downfield than he is in padding any particular portion of his statistics.

Hardy’s idol, in fact, is Walter Payton, a player of considerable versatility.

“That’s a real running back,” he said. “He’s an all-around back. He runs, he catches passes, he blocks and he even throws passes. I’d like to be able to do it all too . . . not have any limits.”

Hardy himself had some limitations when he came out of Clairemont High School after a 1,600-yard senior season in 1982. He stood all of 5-feet 7-inches and weighed 155 pounds, thereby discouraging collegiate recruiters. It was for this reason that he ended up at this graveyard for running backs.

“I knew I could adjust,” he said, “because my high school team was a passing team that happened to run well. I thought I would fit in the system. I didn’t plan on getting lost.”

To his credit, he also went to work in the weight room. He is not much taller, though he is listed at 5-9, but he now weighs 182 pounds and bench presses 340 pounds.

“The weight room,” he said, “is my second home. As much punishment as I take, I have to keep my body in top shape.”

No limits, remember? Chris Hardy did not want to be one of those guys who could only carry the ball away from traffic. He wanted to be able to run where the trucks run, not just the sports cars.

This he accomplished.

Denny Stolz will align him anywhere--and send him anywhere.

The key to this is that Chris Hardy’s strength is more than just physical.

“He’s probably as smart as anyone we have,” Stolz said. “He has great vision and, gracious sakes, he has balance and lateral movement, but what’s most important is that he understands the game.”

Hardy shrugged.

“All you have to do,” he said, “is pay attention.”

Those might be considered words to live by for UCLA and everyone else on the SDSU schedule. Pay attention . . . to Chris Hardy.

San Diego State does have a running back to be reckoned with.