ISU running back Mike Warren made running look easy against Texas Tech on Saturday, rushing his way into the ISU record books. 

But in terms of workload, Warren had a game that was anything but effortless.  He carried the ball 23 times — eight fewer carries than the entire TTU offense combined — but the brunt of the load came from a drive in the third quarter. 

On a drive that spanned more than five minutes, Warren carried the ball eight times — four times in a row twice — good for more than a third of his total carries. 

ISU head coach Paul Rhoads noticed Warren tiring at one point in the game, although he didn’t specify when.

“There was one time that Mike was tired in the game, [and] we still had him out there,” Rhoads said. “And I thought we should’ve substituted for him.” 

Warren wouldn’t have it any other way, though. He is ready whenever the coach calls his number — tired or not. 

“[I’ll run] as much as he needs me to,” Warren said. “I think I can keep getting my carries throughout the end. I wasn’t even dinged up or anything.”

In that game, Warren didn’t need excess carries to extend and break ISU records. Running for 245 yards and averaging 10.7 yard per carry, Warren broke the ISU freshman single-season rushing record on a modest number of attempts considering what he accomplished.

But as a redshirt freshman, Warren has now carried the load of the running game in the last three contests on his back, amassing 71 total carries through the first five games — 62 of them in the last three.  

Considering Warren’s 6-foot, 200-pound frame, that workload could catch up. But Rhoads doesn’t believe that is the case.

 “He can shoulder more,” Rhoads said. “I don’t think he’s conditioned to the point where he needs to be, so he can keep on with that. … As he gets more accustomed to more carries and more yardage and more work, he’ll be fine with what we give him.”

And Rhoads’ sentiment has shown. Iowa State doesn’t plan on slowing down Warren. In practice this week, Warren expects to get the same amount of reps he’s gotten in the past.

That may not be that much, considering a rotation with other running backs, but during gameday, Warren continues to be the guy. 

“[Practice has] been pretty much the same, with the other guys rotating in,” Warren said. “I think that during the game it’s like completely different. I have to be able to take most of the load, which I do now, which is pretty much how it is.”

A lot of carries result in a lot of hits, and a lot of hits in football result in considerable pain. 

The discomfort requires Warren to regiment a rehab to make sure his body stays fresh for Saturdays. Normally, it consists of rolling out his muscles and taking a cold bath. 

He constantly switches his rehab schedule, so his body refreshes after taking a beating game in and game out. 

“It just depends on how you treat it,” Warren said. “Just change up your treatment habits like getting a back massage or something rather than a cold tub. And probably stretching out instead of that. I just mix up my recovery methods.”

Even though the heavy load may wear on Warren physically, he believes that it assists the team as a whole. 

The improved running game has opened up the passing game for the Cyclones. While that opening hasn’t paid dividends yet on the scoreboard, the coaching staff and players have noticed a difference. 

“I think that more carries will be beneficial for the offense,” Warren said. “Just so we can stay in the game longer and up our time of possession against high-powered offenses like TCU and Baylor.”

Warren’s heavy workload may stay consistent, but his level of skill could increase as time goes along. More experience leads to boosted ability. 

 “I don’t think he’s going to slow down,” said center Jamison Lalk, who has been part of an offensive line that’s been intricate to the improved running game. “I think he’s going to get better and better. I think he’s got a great future ahead of him.”