Rebels’ runner frustrated: Johnson laments lack of carries

Tim Graham

Tuesday, Sept. 16, 1997 | 11 a.m.

RODRICK JOHNSON regrets coming to UNLV.

Two games into the season, the Rebels' prize running back recruit is disillusioned by the coaching staff's reluctance to give him the ball more.

"I don't want to cause any internal problems with the team, but things are not going the way I thought they'd be going," Johnson said after Monday's practice at Sam Boyd Stadium. "I'm a little bit disappointed here."

Johnson came to the Rebels from Dixie Junior College in St. George, Utah, where he rushed for 2,338 yards and 25 touchdowns last year. He earned the national juco player of the year award and was sought by Washington State, Louisiana Tech and Rutgers.

But the 5-foot-11, 230-pound Newark, N.J., native claims he chose UNLV based on what the coaches offered.

"I thought I would be a big part of the offense," Johnson said. "They tell you one thing, and then when you get here it's something else. I need to be carrying the rock. I came here thinking I was going to be getting the ball 24, 25 times a game."

In the Rebels' losses to Nevada-Reno and Air Force, he totalled 30 attempts for 125 yards and two touchdowns. He would have had a third score but fumbled on the goal line against UNR.

Sophomore Coury Hankins is the only other Rebel running back with an attempt. He has 31 yards on seven tries.

"I need at least 20 to 25 carries a game," Johnson said. "Fourteen or 16 carries doesn't do anything. I need to get in a rhythm. Without those carries it's kind of tough.

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

Johnson also admitted his displeasure with the coaching staff's play selection deep within enemy territory.

"I feel if we're in the red zone, inside the 10- or 20-yard line, we should run the ball instead of pass three straight downs," Johnson said.

He was referring to UNLV's fourth-quarter possession against Air Force, when it had the ball first-and-goal on the Falcons' 8-yard line. Rebel quarterback Jon Denton threw three straight incomplete passes, including a first-down offering right into the chest of Falcon linebacker Chris Gizzi that was dropped. UNLV settled for a field goal in the 25-24 loss.

Head coach Jeff Horton contends running has not yet been a major part of UNLV's strategy. The Rebels' pass plays outnumber their run plays 86-44.

"I think we've given him as much as we can," Horton said of Johnson. "Whether it takes one carry or 30 carries, we do whatever it takes to win."

Horton predicted UNLV will run about 20 to 25 times in its home opener against Hawaii Saturday night at 7:05.

Johnson was supposed to be the savior of last year's woeful ground attack. The Rebels ranked 109th out of 111 Division I-A teams in rushing offense, averaging 77.8 yards a game and 2.6 a carry.

Johnson, in one fewer game, outrushed the Rebels as a team by 1,405 yards.

"Our running game is better than a year ago," Horton said. "But it's still not where it needs to be. We need to get better consistency. We need to average 3 1/2 yards a carry, not one and then four."

According to Denton, the man who shouldered the entire load as a freshman, UNLV's rushing attack is "way more productive than last year." He points to Johnson's frustration as a positive sign.

"It's good for the team if he wants the ball that bad," Denton said. "It lets us know he's a competitor and wants to do the job."

Johnson is further upset by his lack of opportunity because he is a senior. Unlike most juco transfers, who usually join NCAA programs as juniors, Johnson has only one year to prove himself to NFL scouts. While he already has worked out for some, a lack of playing time at a school like UNLV could give him a bad name once draft day rolls around. It could cost him the chance at a lucrative career.

Johnson was questioned about his frustration level on a scale of 1 to 10.

"Pretty close to a 10," he replied.

He then was asked if he wished he was playing at another school right now.

"I have no comment on that," he answered, waving his hand.

Horton said Johnson has been hobbled by left leg and hip pains, but no injuries were listed by athletic trainer Kyle Wilson on the Rebels' weekly injury report.

"It's just soreness," Horton said.

When asked if Johnson's status was in jeopardy for Hawaii, Horton replied "We'll have to wait and see (today)."

Johnson, however, said "I'm all right."