BOULDER, Colo. – Shaq Thompson says he still has the soul of a linebacker.

“I have a defensive mentality,’’ he said. “It’s always defense first. Everyone loves hitting people.”

Fortunately, Thompson has found a way to translate that aggression into his new role at running back, because it doesn’t look like he’s going anywhere else any time soon. Why would he, when it’s so crystal clear he gives the Huskies a play-breaking dimension they’ve sorely missed all season?

Oh, after Washington’s 38-23 win over Colorado, coach Chris Petersen didn’t quite commit to Thompson’s continued presence on offense, mainly because it’s a zero-sum game for the Huskies.

Taking him out of linebacker, where he merely was leading the nation in defensive touchdowns, with more scores (four) than any player in the past decade, is robbing Peter to pay Paul.

But what a bounty of riches for the Husky offense, which for most of this season has been so glaringly missing a consistent dynamic force.

John Ross III offers the element of blazing speed, but the Huskies have yet to figure out a way to fully exploit that weapon. With Thompson, it’s elementary – hand him the ball and let him go to work.

Last week, in his first extensive playing time at running back since high school, Thompson had to deal with severe weather conditions at Husky Stadium and still ran for 98 yards on 21 carries against Arizona State.

But on Saturday, in the crisp mountain air of Folsom Field, he was a revelation. Thompson carried 15 times for 174 yards. He had bursts of 39, 25 and 56 yards, a touchdown run of 24 yards, a pass reception for 41 yards, a devastating block that leveled a blitzing pass-rusher — and just for good measure, a tackle on punt coverage.

As good as Thompson is on defense, the Huskies simply need him more right now on offense. That’s subject to change as Lavon Coleman and Dwayne Washington return to health, but no one on their roster offers what Thompson does with the ball in his hands.

He’s a game-changer, which is an awfully important element to simply abandon.

“Some of those runs he makes, it’s not like everyone’s blocked, and he’s just making some guys miss and create,” offensive coordinator Jonathan Smith said. “It just gives us such a lift when we have an explosive runner like that.”

With Thompson lined up, what had too often been a pedestrian Husky attack suddenly pulsates with possibilities on every play. And as with all transcendent players, opponents must always account for him, which has a ripple effect.

“When you have Shaq in the backfield, they have to pack the box because you can’t really stop him,’’ wide receiver Dante Pettis said. “And it just opens space for passing.”

For now, the Huskies have chosen to keep Thompson exclusively on offense when he’s expending so much energy carrying the ball. Thompson admitted he had the urge to go in and help out the defense on Saturday when he saw them missing an inordinate number of tackles in the first half. But he also knew the ground rules.

“I didn’t practice much on defense,” he said. “I knew my role. You have to practice first before you go out there.”

Thompson is burdened, if that’s the right word, with such bountiful talent that it’s going to be a perpetual dilemma for Petersen. It’s a good problem to have, obviously; but it’s one that’s bound to always leave just a wisp of wondering if Thompson would help more on the other side — whichever the “other side” happens to be at the given moment.

“I keep saying, I know he can play three positions, for sure, really really good, if not five,” Petersen said. “He’s fun to watch. He’s fun for us as coaches to watch. You give him a little space as an athlete, even between the tackles if he gets a little space, he’s so strong that he’s going to push the pile.

“And certainly if we get him out on the edge in space, he’s hard to tackle. He’s going to run through an arm tackle, and he’s got enough athleticism to make guys miss. He’s a heck of a player, we all know that.”

In the next breath, Peter­sen said, as he has before and will no doubt again, “We’ve got to figure out where Shaq can give us the most help.”

At some point, perhaps, the Huskies will venture into the realm of making Thompson a true two-way player. They could decrease his carries to give him the energy for a presence at linebacker on crucial possessions. A running backer, to steal a phrase I saw on Twitter.

But Thompson was so impactful carrying the ball on Saturday, and in his previous appearances, that it simply screams for Petersen to leave him there.

Thompson said he’s enjoying this new role, particularly when he gets a chance to run over defenders — which is often. It’s as close to linebacking as he can get on offense, and he relishes it.

But asked if he would be OK with a permanent role at running back the rest of the season, Thompson gave a long pause and said finally, “I haven’t decided, because I love defense. I love hitting people.”

Thompson has one key aspect of the running back job down pat — heaping praise on his offensive linemen (“If a big run happens, it’s because of them; they opened a gap and allowed me to run through it”) and deflecting glory to quarterback Cyler Miles and his backfield compatriot, Deontae Cooper.

“I love to see Coop out there, rather than me, because he makes everything exciting,” Thompson said. “He pumps me up.”

Right now, it is most often Thompson pumping up the Huskies. On offense. Get used to it.

Larry Stone: 206-464-3146 or lstone@seattletimes.com. On Twitter @StoneLarry

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