BOULDER — For a former wide receiver, Brennan Marion sure knows how to take care of running backs.

That’s how Johnnie Mack sees it, anyway.

Everyone in and around Colorado is eager to see what Marion, the first-year offensive coordinator, can do for the Buffaloes with his “GoGo” offense that he’s been running for nearly a decade now.

It’s an offense that sounds like it might be one that is all about the downfield passing game and getting the ball to speedy receivers in space and while it is, to some extent, the key to unlocking the entire playbook — which players and coaches have said includes about 1,000 plays — is the run game.

“As a running back… if you’re not excited for this, I don’t know what to tell you. This ‘GoGo’ offense is built for running backs,” Mack, the new CU running backs coach, said. “It’s built for running backs to have success. You get the opportunity to have multiple guys out there. I’ve been watching Coach Marion from afar and I’ve always loved his offense. We working hard because we know that (the offense) runs through us.”

Mack is in year two working with the Buffs running backs. He was an analyst under Marshall Faulk last season before getting promoted to fill Faulk’s position after the Hall of Famer left to take his first head coaching job at Southern University.

Now, it’s on him to work with one of the more important position groups on the roster and make sure all five of the capable players in his room are ready when their number is called.

“We know there’s enough for everybody to eat. That’s what we preach,” Mack said. “You just gotta do your job. It’s about playing selfless. In order for this offense to work, everybody has to do their job and usually, when you’re doing your job, you get rewarded for that. When your number is called, you have to make the play. Be ready at all costs.”

It helps that a pair of running backs — JaQuail Smith and Damian Henderson II — came with Marion from Sacramento State to Boulder and already have a year’s worth of experience in the system. Both players rushed for over 500 yards last season and averaged over 6 yards per carry.

“They bring a wealth of experience,” Mack said. “They had a pretty solid year last year. Both of them had over 500 yards apiece. Two different styles of back. Damian brings that 6-(foot)-2, 215 (-pound frame) — he’s a power back but he’s also got some finesse to him. He can make you miss in traffic. I think he’s gonna be really good for us. JaQuail Smith, at any given moment, he can take it the distance. Home run hitter. Just having them already here and coming from that offense, it definitely helped us a lot with learning.”

Those two pair nicely with the pair of returners from last year’s Buffs team, senior DeKalon Taylor and junior Micah Welch, as well as Alabama transfer Richard Young, once the No. 1 high school running back in the country, per ESPN.

“We all work. We’re all hungry,” Young said. “We still have a lot to go to get better in certain areas that we need to get to, but I feel like we’re gonna keep stacking days.”

The stats tell the story for what this running back group can accomplish. Sacramento State ranked No. 2 in the FCS in rushing yards per game in 2025, while during Marion’s two seasons at UNLV, the Rebels ranked third and first, respectively, in the Mountain West in total rushing yards.

There’s more than enough production to go around.

“I feel like the ‘GoGo’ offense is a very good offense for running backs, receivers,” Henderson said. “It’s a well-rounded offense. Everybody is gonna eat.”