For one
The Hilltoppers have not enjoyed the success that they had last season finishing the year 7-5, but Johnson has not allowed this year to not be a success for not only himself but the squad as well.
“It has been a successful one. I just want to come out here and play everyday. It is something that I look forward to and it has been a great success,” said Johnson. “You know, we have had some tough games, we have lost some but I think that we have come together as a team. Our team is so close now. We are just one step away form coming out with wins and putting it all together.”
This season, WKU has played the likes of the No. 1 team in the nation,
“We were all happy when they came to us and told us about the decision to go to D-I. You know its something coming out of high school that you have the dream of playing Division I football and I was happy to play against teams like we have been playing. Teams like MTSU being from the
Things have not always been easy for Johnson. In his final two years on the Hill, the senior fullback has had to learn a new offense something that is not an easy transition and be successful in. In his first two years at WKU, Johnson and the Hilltopper offense ran the “I” formation with a tailback and a fullback. Now days, WKU has moved into more of a spread attack with speed and agility being the main attractions.
“It has been an adjustment. We ran the “I” in high school and I came to WKU when we were running it. I love the I formation, oh I love it. It is a physical football formation, but you have to do what is best for the team. Actually, it is pretty fun running the spread. I have gotten to do a lot of different things that I never thought that I would get the chance to do,” said Johnson. “When we ran the “I”, Lerron Moore was the tailback and I didn’t have one carry all season. Last season, I think I was able to get a few carries. It was cool getting to run the ball because in high school I didn’t really get the opportunity to run the ball either. I blocked. Don’t get me wrong, I like to go out and hit people and make holes for our running backs. You do what you have to do to win and I think that I do that.”
Johnson began his career with the Hilltoppers among the nation’s elite in Division I-AA seeing WKU consistently ranked at the top of the coaches and AP polls. Three years ago, WKU entered the year ranked at the top of the polls and were 6-0 going into the final five games of the season. The Hilltoppers lost five-straight, something that has still plagued Johnson to this day, but he has not allowed it to get the best of him.
“Well that kind of showed us. We were No. 1 going into that game and then we lost five straight. It was definitely tough on us. It shows us that when things get tough, how you have to keep working and pushing and practicing to the fullest of your ability to make not only your self better but also the team. Things will come around. We were 6-5 to finish the season the same season that we were ranked No. 1 in the country in I-AA football. We had some high expectations that were not reached,” said Johnson.
Even though that year did not turn out the way they all wanted Johnson made it a success - the same way he has made his final year. WKU will wrap up its home schedule today against Middle Tennessee a rivalry that has now been renewed on the football field.
“It is really special because last season we went down to MTSU and beat the Blue Raiders in our program’s first D-I football victory. It is really special to me, but it is also very special to a lot of people as well,” stated Johnson.
Houchens Industries-L.T. Smith Stadium and crowds will say goodbye to Johnson and his fellow seniors this afternoon in a game that will be a very special one to many.
“I am glad that it is here. It is going to be very special because anytime the Hilltoppers play MTSU there is always an atmosphere that can not be recreated anywhere. I hope that we have a full house and come out and give it our all and, hopefully, come out with another victory over the Blue Raiders.”
