Texas A&M's Jorvorskie Lane (11) rambles for a short gain against Texas Tech. Lane is big for a running back - as in 270 pounds.

Let’s not beat around the bush: When you’re a 270-pound running back in the Big 12 Conference, prepare to be the subject of conversation.

Jorvorskie Lane is only one head of a running-back monster Texas A&M brings to Lawrence today. Along with Courtney Lewis, Mike Goodson and quarterback Stephen McGee, Lane has helped Texas A&M rise to the top of the Big 12 in rushing offense.

And Lane particularly stands out for being, ahem, the most stocky. At 5-foot-11 and 270 pounds, Lane is built like a short offensive tackle – but certainly runs in a way most 270-pounders only can dream of.

“He’s powerful, but he’s got quick feet, and he changes direction pretty decent for a big guy,” KU coach Mark Mangino said. “The other guys are speedier types – hit the hole a little quicker and cut-type runners and things of that sort.”

Yeah, but that’s boring, so back to Lane. A sophomore out of Lufkin, Texas, Lane certainly is the Aggies’ short-yardage guy – on third or fourth down, he has produced a first down or touchdown in 15 of 18 tries. But he can bust one out too, as a 25-yard touchdown rumble against Louisiana Tech proves. Heck, he has some kind of arm, too; he completed a 35-yard touchdown pass to Jason Carter last season against No. 2 Texas.

Texas A&M quarterback Stephen McGee (7) rushes for a first down as Texas Tech's Kellen Tillman chases him. Tech won Saturday's game, 31-27, in College Station, Texas.

Lane rushed for 77 yards on 12 carries last week against Texas Tech, including a two-yard touchdown run. He has 301 yards on 64 carries with a Big 12 Conference-best 11 touchdowns.

Obviously, the multiple touchdowns are a result of the Aggies needing a push into the end zone when they’re smelling it. His 11 scoring runs were for five, one, two, five, eight, one, one, four, 25, one and two yards.

It presents a rare challenge for KU’s defense. After all, how often do you see somebody so big chugging down field?

“There’s only one back who I’ve ever faced (that size),” KU safety Jerome Kemp said, “and that was No. 37 for Texas (Henry Melton, who’s 6-3, 270).”

Kemp, who’s 5-10, 205, claims he didn’t get crushed by Melton last year when Kansas played Texas. But he does admit that fundamentals and an otherwise normal approach to wrapping a guy up might need assistance if Kemp and Lane were to meet in the open field.

So what do you do, Jerome?

“Tackle him,” he said, “the best way I can.”