Rebels may pin hopes on a one-shot wonder

Tim Graham

Tuesday, Aug. 12, 1997 | 9:40 a.m.

Jeff Horton is hoping a one-and-out player can save UNLV's football program from a three-and-out offense.

Right now, however, that player is down and out -- though it's expected he won't be for long.

Rodrick Johnson is listed as the fourth-string running back on UNLV's depth chart. By the time the Rebels kick off their season at Reno Sept. 6, Johnson plans to bust out.

"I expect to come in and be an impact player," Johnson said Monday after the morning session of UNLV's two-a-day practices for newcomers.

The 5-foot-11, 230-pounder looks every bit the part of a classic ball-control back, which is precisely what UNLV needs to balance its offense. Last year, the Rebels relied solely on the passing of Jon Denton, who accounted for nearly 80 percent of the team's total offense. Conversely, the Rebel running game ranked 109th of 111 Division I-A schools at 77.8 yards a game.

Johnson transferred to UNLV from Dixie Junior College in St. George, Utah. He drove Dixie down the field last year, setting the national JUCO record with 2,338 rushing yards -- 1,405 more than the entire UNLV team. He also scored 25 touchdowns en route to winning the JUCO equivalent of the Heisman Trophy.

After signing with the Rebels, The Sporting News named Johnson the Western Athletic Conference's top newcomer for 1997.

"I want to help the team get to where it wants to be," Johnson said, "and that's one of the best teams in the WAC."

The only problem is Johnson has only one year of eligibility remaining. After signing with Kansas out of Barringer (N.J.) High in 1993, he missed his first year as a Prop 48 casualty, then redshirted his second with a shoulder injury. He transferred to Dixie in 1995.

With only one season to spare, most major programs passed on Johnson. That's when UNLV grabbed him.

"Coach Horton told me they needed a good running back," Johnson said. "But I don't expect him to give me anything. I'm last on the depth chart."

And Johnson will not move up until he learns the offense.

"He's gotta prove what he can do," Horton said. "He's got 28 practices to prove he's better than (the other running backs)."

That doesn't seem too daunting. The three ahead of Johnson on the depth chart -- James Wofford, Coury Hankins and Dahrin Footman -- have carried the ball a combined 12 times for 21 yards.

"I set personal goals," Johnson said. "I want to be the best back in the WAC, leading the WAC in rushing, averaging over 100 yards a game, scoring a touchdown a game.

"All I need is 20 carries, and I'll get 100 yards a game."

Extra points

* THE FINGER: Incoming offensive line recruit Jason Moore appears out for the season with a torn tendon in his right ring finger. According to UNLV coach Jeff Horton, the 6-foot-2, 325-pounder from Lynwood, Calif., got hurt during a high school all-star game this summer. Moore had a pin inserted in the finger, which must be immobilized for 12 weeks. He originally was to enroll in January, giving him 5 1/2 years of eligibility. But after projected backup right tackle Mike Williams quit last month, Moore planned to join the team this fall. With a roster spot now open, freshman Luke Swann might be brought in. Swann is a 6-1, 235-pound fullback from Novato, Calif.

* WEATHER OR NOT: The thunderstorms that ripped through the valley last weekend didn't stop the Rebels from practicing Saturday and Sunday. The lightning, however, did keep Horton off the four-story observation tower in the middle of the team's practice field. "And I wasn't standing by the goalpost, that's for sure," he said.