In 1901 former President Theodore Roosevelt said, “Speak softly and carry a big stick; you will go far.” For UH, no player exemplifies the old adage more than redshirt junior running back Charles Sims.
The soft-spoken speedster rushed for 158 yards and a career-high of three touchdowns Saturday against Rice. Accordingly, Sims spoke for less than a minute at the post-game press conference.
“That’s fine with me,” Sims said when asked a lengthy question about carrying the ball between 25 and 30 times a game. “It felt pretty good to get back out there and make plays.”
Sims has gone far during his career with the Cougars. In a 73-17 rout of Tulane last season, the running back broke a 58-year-old school record by averaging 20.7 yards per carry. Three of the 10 carries were for more than 50 yards.
In addition to his visibility in UH football marketing, where Sims appears around the city on billboards, he can also play different roles in the up-tempo air-raid offense.
“He’s a dynamic player,” said head coach Tony Levine. “He may rush for three and he may rush for two, but at some point he’s going to break one and make a guy miss and take it for 50.”
Sims’ career at UH got off to a quick start in 2009 when he led the team in rushing with 698 yards and nine touchdowns, and was named Conference USA Freshman of the Year.
In June 2010, his career was put on hold when the NCAA ruled the runner ineligible for the upcoming season. The reasoning was kept private with University officials, citing privacy laws. Sims returned to the scene Spring 2011 and along with former running back Bryce Beall in the backfield, the tandem played an intricate part in the Cougars 13-1 campaign.
For all the individual accolades Sims has been a part of, the back maintains a certain philosophy on talking about his success.
“We’re just going to play our game and let our game do the talking,” Sims said.
