Go to the mobile version of this Web site.

Login | Contact Us | Site Map | Paid archives | Electronic edition | Subscription Questions | Extras

Johnson leads Rams to 40-35 win in New Mexico Bowl over Fresno State

RB finishes with 285 yards rushing, 90 receiving in win

By Jim Benton, Rocky Mountain News (Contact)

Published December 20, 2008 at 3:51 p.m.

Text size  
Colorado State head coach Steve Fairchild gets drenched with Gatorade after the Rams 40-35 win over Fresno State in the New Mexico Bowl on Saturday in Albuquerque, N.M.

Ross D. Franklin © AP

Colorado State head coach Steve Fairchild gets drenched with Gatorade after the Rams 40-35 win over Fresno State in the New Mexico Bowl on Saturday in Albuquerque, N.M.

Poll

Is CSU's win over Fresno State in the New Mexico Bowl a sign the program is on the way back?


  • See the results »
Colorado State running back Gartrell Johnson runs through a hole Saturday, trying to avoid Fresno State linebacker Ben Jacobs, right, during the first quarter of the New Mexico Bowl in Albuquerque.

Photo by Ross D. Franklin © AP

Colorado State running back Gartrell Johnson runs through a hole Saturday, trying to avoid Fresno State linebacker Ben Jacobs, right, during the first quarter of the New Mexico Bowl in Albuquerque.

Related Links

More College Sports

More stories »

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. — It seemed like the only people who could stop Gartrell Johnson Saturday were the swarm of fans that hemmed him in near midfield at University Stadium following the New Mexico Bowl.

Johnson, a 225-pound senior running back from Miami Springs, Fla., had a record setting day in helping CSU notch a 40-35 victory over Fresno State before 24,735 fans.

The victory gave the Rams, who managed only a combined seven wins the past two seasons, a 7-6 record in Steve Fairchild’s first year as coach.

Johnson, named the Most Outstanding Offensive Player, rushed for a CSU bowl and New Mexico Bowl record 285 yards on 27 carries and scored two touchdowns.

It was the second most rushing yards in FBS bowl history behind the 307 yards by Georgia Tech’s P.J. Daniels against Tulsa in the 2004 Humanitarian Bowl.

Johnson also caught five passes for 90 yards and his 375 yards from scrimmage (rushing/receiving) is the most in FBS bowl history.

His 375 all purpose yards is the second most in FBS history, 33 yards shy of the 408 by East Carolina’s Chris Johnson in the 2007 Hawaii bowl against Boise State.

Johnson did shatter the Mountain West Conference Bowl standard of 254 all-purpose yards that was set by Utah’s Mike Anderson in the 1999 Las Vegas Bowl against Fresno State.

“To have a great day like that and for us to just get a win sets the bar high for next year,” Johnson said. “It’s been our whole season, to fight through and persevere through the tough times. I was tired in the third and fourth quarter after two 60-yard runs. I was running hard and just kept it in my mind that I had to keep pressing on.”

Johnson actually had a 57-yard run and a game-clinching 77-yard touchdown run in the fourth quarter plus a 57-yard run on a shovel pass.

“Never in my wildest dreams did I imagine doing that,” Johnson said.

Fairchild, however, wasn’t surprised.

“He is obviously our best weapon offensively and he has been this way all year long,” he said. “He is a very physical back. He made some plays in the passing game too, which really bailed us out. You can’t say enough, his numbers speak for him and what he has done all year.”

The game matched two former Western Athletic Conference rivals and the offensive numbers that were complied were reminiscent of an old-fashion WAC shootout.

CSU had 619 yards of total offense and Fresno State 434 for a combined New Mexico Bowl record 1,053 yards.

The Rams averaged nine yards per play and Fresno State seven. Three running backs rushed for over 100 yards in the game.

Besides Johnson, Fresno State’s Anthony Harding gained 120 yards on 18 carries and had two touchdowns. While the Bulldogs’ Lonyae Miller ran for 113 yards on 13 attempts and scored twice.

CSU quarterback Billy Farris completed 17-of-29 passes with one interception for 257 yards.

Farris had two crucial touchdown passes, the first a 22-yard strike to tight end Kory Sperry who made a spectacular catch with two seconds left before halftime that helped CSU close to within 21-20 of the Bulldogs at the break.

Rashuan Greer ran under a 69-yard TD pass from Farris in the fourth quarter that staked the Rams to a 33-28 lead with seven minutes remaining in the game.

Despite the offensive fireworks that set a myriad of records in the 3-year-old bowl, it was defense that came through in the end for the Rams.

Defensive end Tommie Hill intercepted a screen pass by Fresno State quarterback Tom Brandstater that set up the Rams first touchdown in a 20-point fourth quarter.

Hill was named the Most Outstanding Defensive Player of the game.

“I was in the right place at the right time and the offense capitalized on it,” Hill said. “I wasn’t supposed to be in coverage. I was supposed to be up-field rushing and I saw the back going for a screen so I just made a play on the ball.”

Fresno State finished the season with a 7-6 record and coach Pat Hill said the Bulldogs inability to make plays in the second half was costly.

“My hat’s off the Colorado State,” he said. “They really outplayed us in the second half. They really did what they had to do in the second half. They made big plays and made the plays they had to make to win and we couldn’t stop them. And when we had to make the plays on offense we didn’t get it done and that’s why we lost.”

Comments

  • December 20, 2008

    4:09 p.m.

    Suggest removal

    Gonzopozo writes:

    Sweeeeeeeeeeeeeeeet !!!! Good job Rams !!!!

  • December 20, 2008

    4:25 p.m.

    Suggest removal

    Roymance writes:

    Way to go Rams, CU in 2009.

  • December 20, 2008

    5:59 p.m.

    Suggest removal

    zhsnyder writes:

    Go Rammies! Great Game!

  • December 21, 2008

    8:18 a.m.

    Suggest removal

    BroncoDan writes:

    Way to go Rammies!!! Shanny, hurry up and sign GarTRELL!!!

  • December 21, 2008

    8:34 a.m.

    Suggest removal

    INC writes:

    GO Rammies!!! Congrats...

  • December 21, 2008

    9:51 a.m.

    Suggest removal

    atfisher writes:

    Haha...if the Broncos' need Gartrell Johnson, they'll be in trouble. The Predator is fierce and physical, but I'd be shocked if he could make it as an NFL back. He is really quite slow (as seen by him getting caught on two of his long runs). I'm a CSU fan all the way - I just don't see him in the NFL. Kory Sperry on the other hand...

  • December 21, 2008

    12:56 p.m.

    Suggest removal

    BroncoDan writes:

    atfisher...Haha...who do the Broncos have that's better!? Gartrell's awesome!