LINCOLN, NEB. ? Frank Solich was generously listed at 5-feet-8 inches tall when he played fullback for Nebraska in the early 1960s.

Some 40 years later, 5-foot-6 Cory Ross is Solich’s starting I-back for today’s Big 12 North game against Kansas State.

Does the Cornhuskers’ head coach have a special place in his heart for diminutive running backs such as Ross?

“No, not really,” Solich said. “I just love to see a guy reach his potential.”

Ross, a sophomore, is getting his chance to do just that after battling injuries to his shoulder, ankle, foot and thigh. He was used sparingly the first nine games, but he came on in the second half Saturday at Kansas and rushed for a career-high 108 yards on 19 carries.

With Ross starting for Nebraska and the 5-foot-7 Darren Sproles in the backfield for Kansas State, the game bolsters the argument for those who say size doesn’t matter.

“Great running backs come in all shapes and sizes,” Solich said. “There are no prototypes out there.”

Ross has become more effective this season after dropping his weight from 215 to 200 pounds. Still, he can’t shake the nickname “Pork Chop,” which was given to him by former Husker Dahrran Diedrick.

“I’m short and thick — that’s what a pork chop is,” Ross said.

Like Sproles, Ross uses his size, or lack of it, to his advantage. Defenders have difficulty locating Ross when he’s coming out of the backfield.

Nebraska running back Coty Ross (22) runs over the pile for a 10-yard gain against Kansas. Ross will make a rare start today against Kansas State after rushing for 108 yards in the second half of last week's 24-3 victory at Kansas.

Offensive coordinator Barney Cotton said Ross is the I-back with the “most shake.”

That’s the main reason Ross was promoted from third on the depth chart over former starter Josh Davis and backup David Horne.

“Cory made people miss against Kansas,” Cotton said. “Some guys were unblocked, but with some movement, Cory got himself to the safety. That’s what we’ve been looking for.”

Running backs coach Tim Albin, who made the decision to start Ross, said he thought Ross might win the job in fall camp. But a rash of injuries limited his practice time.

Feigning seriousness, Solich said his greatest worry is that quarterback Jammal Lord won’t make perfect pitches to Ross on option plays.

“If the pitch isn’t there, and he extends his arms, they’re not going to go too far to bring that ball in,” Solich said. “I say that somewhat jokingly because Cory and I kid around a lot, as you might imagine.”

One thing they can’t see eye-to-eye on is who’s taller.

Solich said he is, “by at least a couple inches.”

Said Ross: “I got him by a couple inches, I think. He knows the truth.”