Holding no grudges, Horton keeps Johnson in the lineup

Tim Graham

Friday, Sept. 19, 1997 | 9:08 a.m.

Rodrick Johnson wants more action. That's no secret.

And while it is uncertain how often the senior running back will touch the football in UNLV's home opener Saturday against Hawaii, it is not because of a banishment to head coach Jeff Horton's doghouse.

Johnson, who in a Tuesday SUN article voiced his displeasure over a lack of carries and the coaching staff's play calling, will not be sentenced to the sidelines.

"He will start," Horton announced Thursday after his weekly luncheon at Big Dog's Cafe, adding that Johnson turned in his best week of practice since joining the Rebels.

"I want him to go out and play. I don't hold grudges."

In fact, Horton lifted the gag order he imposed on Johnson after reading the story, and even granted him special permission to speak to the media after Thursday's practice. As a rule, the media is not allowed to interview players after Wednesday.

"I was out of line," Johnson said. "It was told in frustration."

Johnson was disappointment in carrying the ball a total of 30 times for 125 yards and two touchdowns in UNLV's two losses. He also debated the Rebels' game plan of passing instead of running inside the 20-yard line.

The 5-foot-11, 230-pound transfer from Dixie Junior College in St. George, Utah, set national rushing records with 2,338 yards and 25 touchdowns last year and earned the juco version of the Heisman Trophy.

"I thought I would be a big part of the offense," he said in the story. "They tell you one thing, and then when you get here it's something else. I need to be carrying the rock."

On Wednesday, Johnson apologized to his teammates. According to Horton, the apology was Johnson's idea and was a major factor in the coach's decision not to punish his prize recruit.

"I felt I owed it to the team and the coaching staff to apologize," said Johnson, who expected to have his starter's status pulled. "My intention going into this game was to back up. But I was willing to do whatever the coaching staff wanted me to do to win.

"I sat down and talked to the coaches face-to-face, man-to-man. We worked it out.

"I'm a competitor. They accept that."