Cat Central

MSU's Shawn Johnson Playing the Waiting Game

Posted: Nov 2, 2012 3:30 PM by Mark Freeman
Updated: Nov 2, 2012 3:32 PM

BOZEMAN - In the blow out win last week against North Dakota, a lot of Bobcat fans may have noticed the great game that Orenzo Davis and Cody Kirk had as the Bobcats ran for over 400 yards as a team. But few fans probably realize that they also got a chance to look into the future of the running game for MSU.

Sophomore Shawn Johnson, who ran for over 60 yards on just six carries, caught two passes for 40 yards and a touchdown last week, is going to be playing a vital role for the Cats down the line.

"I think Shawn Johnson is going to be a great tailback for us," said Head Coach Rob Ash. "He's going to be a tandem running back next year with Cody Kirk. A good one-two punch. Kind of the speed guy to compliment Cody's power. He's also a return man as he's doing currently for our team. But the good thing about Shawn too is that he can catch the ball out of the backfield and make plays in lots of different ways for this team."

As for Shawn right now, it's a little bit of the waiting game before he becomes an every down back.
"You know every time coach gives me opportunities to get the ball and stuff, I'm just making every opportunity count, and taking advantage of that," said the man out of Bakersfield, CA. "And not really looking towards the future but looking towards this season to tell you the truth."

Not to look past this season quite yet, but it's certainly a good sign for the Cats running attack in 2013.