The Saskatchewan Roughriders are all about the fans.
The context, though, is occasionally subject to change.
Case in point: Morgen Runge — a 6-foot-0, 205-pound fullback/blocker extraordinaire who is attending his third Coors Light Training Camp.
“I’ll tell you what, he’s making a reputation for himself among people on the defensive side of the ball,” Head Coach Corey Mace said. “The defensive linemen are talking about his willingness to, as Coach (Kent) Maugeri likes to call it, ‘put his face in the fan.’ He’s not afraid to mix it up. He’s a worker.
“It’s a tough position. You’ve got to be multi-faceted to play that spot. He has come in there and he is doing a heck of a job.”
The Edmonton-born Runge, who has spent three Canada West seasons with the University of Alberta Golden Bears, was delighted to hear of Mace’s appraisal.
“I’m just happy to go out there and have the opportunity to compete against a lot of really good guys,” Runge said at Griffiths Stadium. “There’s a lot of really talented players on the defence, especially on the defensive line.
“It’s just a great opportunity to elevate my game and get that competition going. I’m happy that I’m getting a few compliments from the guys, I guess. We’re just out here working hard and having a lot of fun.”
Well, as much fun as one can have while, you know, introducing some of your favourite facial features to the proverbial cooling device.
Despite having done so, the 27-year-old Runge has emerged virtually unscathed. No nicks. No cuts. No blade wounds.
“I guess so,” he said. “I’ve always been fortunate not to get too messed up playing physical and a little dirty, I guess.”
Getting down and dirty and willingly wading into the trenches is part of the job description for a fullback in today’s CFL.
Gone are the days when, say, a fullback named George Reed can rush for 1,000-plus yards in 11 different seasons.
Albert Awachie, for example, has played for seven seasons while spending most of that time with Saskatchewan as a fullback.
Over 77 career regular-season games, he has yet to accept a handoff. His offensive statistics consist of 11 receptions for 80 yards. But he has long been recognized and appreciated as someone who will help to clear holes for running back, assist with pass protection, and take on snarling defensive linemen or linebackers.
Runge also embraces such a role.
“I love it,” he said. “I kind of liken it to being a draft horse — hook the harness up on me and it’s time to work.
“We’re all working toward the same goal. We’re all trying to put points on the board. Everyone’s kind of got a role and I love my role as a fullback.
“It’s a physical position, but sometimes you get some love with the ball a little bit. I’m not too much of a showboat guy, but every once in a while, the dog gets a bone.”
Or even an entire steak!
The stakes were high on Nov. 13, 2021, when the Golden Bears visited Winnipeg to oppose the University of Manitoba Bisons.
“We were playing in a Hardy Cup semi-final,” Runge recalled. “We were just getting our butts kicked. It was a really tough game.
“There were two feet of snow on the ground. They had to bring the cleaners out. It looked like they had Zambonied the field, almost.
“Just before the half, Manitoba was up by 30 points or something and we ran a little shovel play. I’m running out on an arrow for a flood concept.
“Brad Launhardt just tossed me the ball. I caught it right on the goal line. I got to break the goose-egg there. It was really nice. It was special.”
Runge, who ran the ball only once in 21 regular-season games with the Golden Bears, caught 14 passes for 114 yards over that time.
Now he would like to have some CFL stats to his good name, even if the numbers are restricted to the games-played column.
“I absolutely love this organization and this team,” Runge said. “The players, the coaches, and everyone from the top to the bottom are some of the best people in football I’ve met and have had the opportunity to work with.”
