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History for the great Gartrell
Johnson accounts for record 375 yards as Rams claim 40-35 win
By Natalie Meisler
The Denver Post
Article Last Updated: 12/21/2008 12:25:21 AM MST
Bowl preview: It's time to stock upShoulder sidelines QBALBUQUERQUE — As senior running back Gartrell Johnson III dashed his way into bowl history with 375 yards total offense Saturday, a man also wearing a Colorado State No. 5 jersey stood among the raucous Rams fans, howling at the top of his lungs.
Gartrell Johnson Jr. could barely find his son as fans rushed the field at the end of the Rams' 40-35 New Mexico Bowl victory over Fresno State. Fans young and old swarmed the CSU senior running back for autographs and photos.
They all knew they witnessed history. No matter how many people repeated his numbers, Johnson couldn't believe it: 285 yards rushing and 90 yards receiving. The 375 yards from scrimmage set the NCAA bowl game record.
"That's amazing," Johnson said. "On
the last touchdown (a 77-yarder to ice the game with 1:46 left), I wasn't even touched."
CSU offensive tackle Dane Stratton, also playing his final college game, said: "Gartrell and us just did what we were supposed to do. Gartrell had the hard part. He ran his heart out, and we blocked our hearts out."
Although Johnson had 173 yards rushing through three quarters and his 90 yards receiving, CSU trailed 28-20 until defensive end Tommie Hill picked off a Tom Brandstater pass to set up the Rams at the Fresno State 32-yard line.
CSU seized control from there to finish with a 7-6 record under first-year coach Steve Fairchild. It is the Rams' first winning season since 2003.
"Tommie's play was by far the play of the game. He gave us a chance to get a quick score," Fairchild said. "Our defense bailed the offense out with Tommie's huge play."
For Johnson, it was the second-best rushing day in CSU history behind Tony Alford's 310 yards against Utah in 1989.
Johnson scored his first TD of the day from the 1 seven plays after Hill's interception, but was denied the two-point conversion and CSU trailed 28-26. The Rams didn't take the lead until Billy Farris found wide receiver Rashaun Greer for a 69-yard connection and
"I'm speechless about this win," Farris said. "After that (Greer touchdown), Fresno State didn't know what to do."
Then — after Hill and Johnson engaged in some good-natured trash talk about getting caught from behind (Johnson on a 57-yard run then a 57-yard shovel pass, and Hill after his pick) — Johnson refused to get caught again, putting his signature on the masterpiece.
He took off for the sideline on the 77-yard run, affording CSU some cushion for Fresno State's late consolation score.
Before Hill's interception, it looked bleak for the Rams when Farris was picked off for the first time.
The Rams were having trouble stopping Fresno State running backs Anthony Harding and Lonyae Miller, who rushed for 120 and 113 yards, respectively.
In the second half, CSU defensive coordinator Larry Kerr credited line coach Scott Brown for making a change in the coverage.
Johnson had 190 yards rushing early in the fourth quarter, breaking Cecil Sapp's school mark of 160 in the 2000 Liberty Bowl win over Louisville.
"They really outplayed us in the second half," Fresno State coach Pat Hill said.
On the last drive of the first half, Rams tight end Kory Sperry caught his first and only pass of the game. With Bulldogs safety Lorne Bell in front of him and corner Sharrod Davis defending from behind, Sperry came down with Farris' 22-yard pass in the back corner of the end zone. The catch was upheld on replay, and CSU closed within 21-20 with two seconds left and gave the Rams a lift for the second half.
"At one point, Colorado State was the elite team in the Mountain West," said Fairchild, a former Rams quarterback. "We're not at that level yet, but it is our intention to get back."
Natalie Meisler: 303-954-1295 or [email protected]
Record haul
Gartrell Johnson saved his best for last. The Colorado State senior running back ended his career with 285 yards rushing and 90 yards receiving. A look at how his numbers rank:
Set the NCAA record for most yards (375) from scrimmage in FBS bowl history.
Second-most all-purpose yards in bowl history (408 yards by East Carolina's Chris Johnson vs. Boise State in 2007 Hawaii Bowl).
Set the school's bowl-game record for rushing yards (besting Cecil Sapp's 160 in the 2000 Liberty Bowl). It also is a Mountain West Conference bowl record.
Johnson's 285 yards rushing are second all-time in CSU history (Tony Alford's 310 against Utah in 1989).
His 77-yard run was a career long, as was his 57-yard catch in the second quarter.
Johnson's 1,476 yards rushing this season rank second on the school's record list. (Sapp leads with 1,601 in 2002).
Source: CSU media department
Play of the day
Defensive stopper: CSU defensive end Tommie Hill was supposed to rush quarterback Tom Brandstater but dropped back in coverage. Hill then swiped a screen pass, returned it to the Fresno State 32-yard line and put the Rams in business for a comeback from an eight-point deficit in the fourth quarter. Hill was named defensive MVP despite having just one tackle.
Stat of the day
375: Gartrell Johnson's 375 total yards on a combined 32 plays (27 carries and five receptions) set the record for the most yards in Football Bowl Subdivision bowl.
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Totally worth driving 8 hours each way to see this game. Gartrell tore it up. Nothing like setting an alltime bowl game record for most yards from scrimmage. Gonna miss the Preditor next year. Have fun in the NFL buddy!
GO RAMS!
Johnson accounts for record 375 yards as Rams claim 40-35 win
By Natalie Meisler
The Denver Post
Article Last Updated: 12/21/2008 12:25:21 AM MST
Bowl preview: It's time to stock upShoulder sidelines QBALBUQUERQUE — As senior running back Gartrell Johnson III dashed his way into bowl history with 375 yards total offense Saturday, a man also wearing a Colorado State No. 5 jersey stood among the raucous Rams fans, howling at the top of his lungs.
Gartrell Johnson Jr. could barely find his son as fans rushed the field at the end of the Rams' 40-35 New Mexico Bowl victory over Fresno State. Fans young and old swarmed the CSU senior running back for autographs and photos.
They all knew they witnessed history. No matter how many people repeated his numbers, Johnson couldn't believe it: 285 yards rushing and 90 yards receiving. The 375 yards from scrimmage set the NCAA bowl game record.
"That's amazing," Johnson said. "On
the last touchdown (a 77-yarder to ice the game with 1:46 left), I wasn't even touched."
CSU offensive tackle Dane Stratton, also playing his final college game, said: "Gartrell and us just did what we were supposed to do. Gartrell had the hard part. He ran his heart out, and we blocked our hearts out."
Although Johnson had 173 yards rushing through three quarters and his 90 yards receiving, CSU trailed 28-20 until defensive end Tommie Hill picked off a Tom Brandstater pass to set up the Rams at the Fresno State 32-yard line.
CSU seized control from there to finish with a 7-6 record under first-year coach Steve Fairchild. It is the Rams' first winning season since 2003.
"Tommie's play was by far the play of the game. He gave us a chance to get a quick score," Fairchild said. "Our defense bailed the offense out with Tommie's huge play."
For Johnson, it was the second-best rushing day in CSU history behind Tony Alford's 310 yards against Utah in 1989.
Johnson scored his first TD of the day from the 1 seven plays after Hill's interception, but was denied the two-point conversion and CSU trailed 28-26. The Rams didn't take the lead until Billy Farris found wide receiver Rashaun Greer for a 69-yard connection and
"I'm speechless about this win," Farris said. "After that (Greer touchdown), Fresno State didn't know what to do."
Then — after Hill and Johnson engaged in some good-natured trash talk about getting caught from behind (Johnson on a 57-yard run then a 57-yard shovel pass, and Hill after his pick) — Johnson refused to get caught again, putting his signature on the masterpiece.
He took off for the sideline on the 77-yard run, affording CSU some cushion for Fresno State's late consolation score.
Before Hill's interception, it looked bleak for the Rams when Farris was picked off for the first time.
The Rams were having trouble stopping Fresno State running backs Anthony Harding and Lonyae Miller, who rushed for 120 and 113 yards, respectively.
In the second half, CSU defensive coordinator Larry Kerr credited line coach Scott Brown for making a change in the coverage.
Johnson had 190 yards rushing early in the fourth quarter, breaking Cecil Sapp's school mark of 160 in the 2000 Liberty Bowl win over Louisville.
"They really outplayed us in the second half," Fresno State coach Pat Hill said.
On the last drive of the first half, Rams tight end Kory Sperry caught his first and only pass of the game. With Bulldogs safety Lorne Bell in front of him and corner Sharrod Davis defending from behind, Sperry came down with Farris' 22-yard pass in the back corner of the end zone. The catch was upheld on replay, and CSU closed within 21-20 with two seconds left and gave the Rams a lift for the second half.
"At one point, Colorado State was the elite team in the Mountain West," said Fairchild, a former Rams quarterback. "We're not at that level yet, but it is our intention to get back."
Natalie Meisler: 303-954-1295 or [email protected]
Record haul
Gartrell Johnson saved his best for last. The Colorado State senior running back ended his career with 285 yards rushing and 90 yards receiving. A look at how his numbers rank:
Set the NCAA record for most yards (375) from scrimmage in FBS bowl history.
Second-most all-purpose yards in bowl history (408 yards by East Carolina's Chris Johnson vs. Boise State in 2007 Hawaii Bowl).
Set the school's bowl-game record for rushing yards (besting Cecil Sapp's 160 in the 2000 Liberty Bowl). It also is a Mountain West Conference bowl record.
Johnson's 285 yards rushing are second all-time in CSU history (Tony Alford's 310 against Utah in 1989).
His 77-yard run was a career long, as was his 57-yard catch in the second quarter.
Johnson's 1,476 yards rushing this season rank second on the school's record list. (Sapp leads with 1,601 in 2002).
Source: CSU media department
Play of the day
Defensive stopper: CSU defensive end Tommie Hill was supposed to rush quarterback Tom Brandstater but dropped back in coverage. Hill then swiped a screen pass, returned it to the Fresno State 32-yard line and put the Rams in business for a comeback from an eight-point deficit in the fourth quarter. Hill was named defensive MVP despite having just one tackle.
Stat of the day
375: Gartrell Johnson's 375 total yards on a combined 32 plays (27 carries and five receptions) set the record for the most yards in Football Bowl Subdivision bowl.
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Totally worth driving 8 hours each way to see this game. Gartrell tore it up. Nothing like setting an alltime bowl game record for most yards from scrimmage. Gonna miss the Preditor next year. Have fun in the NFL buddy!
GO RAMS!
. having one great rushing game all season against a team who is noted for having a terrible run defense doesn't mean much... when he played CU, he only had like 2 good runs... and CU had a crappy rush defense this year.
)
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