Heading into the season, all conversation around the ASU football team consistently returned to the idea of the two-headed monster in the backfield of junior running backs Kalen Ballage and Demario Richard.
Although, two games into the season it has become abundantly clear that Orthrus has transformed into Cerberus.
Alongside the established duo of backs, redshirt sophomore quarterback Manny Wilkins has become just as much a threat on the ground, gaining yards on both designed runs and scrambles, something an ASU quarterback hasn’t truly been able to do since Taylor Kelly’s injury against Colorado in 2014.
In the nearly two seasons since Kelly went down, Mike Bercovici and Kelly were able to gain yardage but were not targeted as threats to run by the opposition, something that made the Sun Devils successful in Kelly’s first two seasons behind center.
Offensive coordinator Chip Lindsey utilizes Wilkins similar to the way former offensive coordinator Mike Norvell used pre-injury Kelly, with both quarterbacks gaining efficient yards with short passes and runs with very similar early returns.
A true dual-threat at quarterback, Wilkins has been able to keep the Sun Devils moving, even when drives didn't end in six points.
In order to sustain drives, Wilkins had to get creative and aggressive, putting himself in harm's way in order to keep the chains moving.
The first highlight of Wilkins' young career came when he leapt over an NAU defender, much to the chagrin of his coach, who would prefer to keep Wilkins healthy.
The ease at which Wilkins can leap over defenders prompted defensive coordinator Keith Patterson to inquire if Wilkins ran track in high school.
“He might be completely made of cartilage,” Patterson said. “He just makes it look so natural.”
In his postgame comments after ASU’s win, Wilkins said he wasn’t going to hurdle again.
“I probably won’t do that again," Wilkins said. "I’ll probably get hurt.”
Then, he did it again.
Wilkins hasn’t talked much about it, saying all he’s trying to do is help his team win in any way he can: “I’m just out there trying to make a play."
Ballage and Richard have less finesse, preferring to run through their opposition, gaining precious yards after contact.
“They’re determined runners, more than anything,” Lindsey said. “Obviously their physical skill set is good. They like to always fall forward, which is important to being a good running back.”
Not just physical when he has the ball, Richard has received praise all around for his blocking ability during Ballage's eight touchdown game, along with the offensive line and redshirt senior tight end Kody Kohl.
"I just know they give it their all every play," Wilkins said. "Demario Richard, without some of those blocks, probably six of those touchdowns wouldn't have happened."
The unselfishness of all three players allows the running game to operate as it does, with opponents never knowing which will be the one to carry the ball on any given play and allows for more room through the air.
And with Wilkins' ability to pull the ball and run himself, he takes some pressure off of his two workhorse backs beside him, giving his team the best chance to score and win, something he's made clear that's the most important to him.
"I'm just happy to get a win," he said.
Reach the reporter at mtonis@asu.edu or follow @Tonis_The_Tiger on Twitter.
Like State Press Sports on Facebook and follow @statepresssport on Twitter.
