Johnson returns to make USD even more explosive

By: TOM SHANAHAN - For the North County Times | Saturday, September 8, 2007 1:02 AM PDT ∞

SAN DIEGO ---- If the University of San Diego football team can put up 42 points on NAIA power Azusa Pacific with a backup sophomore quarterback making his first college start, prepare for fireworks when NFL prospect Josh Johnson returns this week.

The Toreros (1-0), ranked No. 1 in the nation among non-scholarship schools in the Football Championship Subdivision (formerly Division I-AA), play their home opener against Marist College (0-1) today at 6 p.m. at Torero Stadium.

Johnson, a 6-foot-3, 200-pound senior from Oakland Tech, served a one-game suspension last week as the Toreros defeated Azusa Pacific 42-32.

"Andrew Rolin did a great job for us stepping up for Josh," said Ron Caragher, USD's first-year head coach. "But when you consider what Josh has done in his career here, he's a tremendous player. We're excited to get him back and see what he can do his senior year."

Caragher and his staff might have had some concerns they kept to themselves, but the last person worried the Toreros would struggle was Johnson.

"You saw what happened," Johnson said. "I've always said there are great players around me. I have never put it all on me. I know the type of players we have on this team, and it showed last week."

Johnson is a two-time mid-major All-American and was a third-team All-American last year among all FCS schools. He's also a candidate for the Walter Payton Award, the FCS Heisman Trophy equivalent that is dominated by scholarship-school athletes. He finished sixth in last year's voting despite being a late addition to the watch list.

"We were executing in practice this week, and it felt like I never left," Johnson said. "I came back and we did what we've always been doing. I'm not going to do anything different than what's been successful for us."

Johnson had started 24 straight games and is 22-2 as a starter. Last year, he completed 246-of-371 passes (66.3 percent) for 3,320 yards, 34 touchdowns and just five interceptions.

Besides his accuracy and pocket presence, he's elusive when forced to run. He carried 107 times for 720 yards and 11 touchdowns. Pick your poison on how to stop him.

Johnson and Caragher wouldn't identify Johnson's infraction.

"I've talked to the team, and I've told them I'm a leader that shouldn't be getting in trouble," Johnson said. "I feel bad about what happened."

Added Caragher, "It's not that Josh was being selfish, but we have team rules and I needed to send a message."