 "Photo: May-Ying Lam; The Daily Texan")
With the Longhorns’ running game sputtering and failing to get off the ground, freshman tailback Cody Johnson seems to be getting better and better.
As long as Fozzy Whittaker’s still nursing his right knee injury, Johnson will continue to see more playing time.
Johnson carried the ball 15 times for 67 yards, including a 16-yarder late in the third quarter.
“He’s like a little bowling ball when he picks up momentum,” Texas quarterback Colt McCoy said.
Coaches had planned to use the 5-foot-11-inch, 255-pound back typically in goal line or fourth down situations because of his high school experience as a fullback, but he’s learning to take carries as a tailback.
“Cody’s probably further behind because we started him off as a fullback,” head coach Mack Brown said. “He plays good behind his pads. He bounced back for 17 yards by waiting for it.”
Johnson’s technique and size allow him to push through tackles and make those extra few yards after first contact.
“He’s running with good vision and with good pad level,” offensive coordinator Greg Davis said. “Any time you get a guy that size running downhill, he’s going to pick up a couple extra yards because of good pad level. He was patient and waited for the blocks this week.”
Hunter Lawrence takes job
Ryan Bailey has won two of Texas’ biggest games since the 2006 Rose Bowl.
Now, it looks like he’s out of a job.
Bailey put the finishing touches on Texas’ 22-20 win over Nebraska in 2006 and a 38-35 win over Oklahoma State last season.
But since Bailey’s injury during the preseason, Hunter Lawrence has taken over kicking field goals and earned his keep. Lawrence has impressed coaches and is starting to look like the player they recruited out of Boerne in 2006.
“When he got here, he kicked off really well, but we thought he pressed too much in the field goals,” Brown said. “He started overkicking, and he was really low. It’s interesting that after two years he’s matured enough and gotten his confidence up to a point where he is not missing anywhere in practice.”
Lawrence had to adjust to the college game even more than most kickers because he continued to use a tee while kicking in high school. Most kickers have the ball set up on the ground to prepare for the college game and impress scouts, but high school rules leave it up to the discretion of the kicker.
“A lot of guys are just going to camps in the summer taking the tee away so they can do that, but he was so conscientious that he wanted to do what was best for his high school,” Brown said. “I really wish that they would just get rid of the tee so everyone could play on an even level.”
Harris looking better at tight end
Ian Harris is healthy just in time, it appears.
After tight end Blaine Irby dislocated his knee Saturday, the Longhorns were scrambling to come up with a tight end. Harris sprained his neck during the summer, and fellow backup Josh Marshall broke his scapula during preseason camp.
Harris practiced Tuesday and Wednesday and was re-evaluated after Wednesday’s practice.
“After watching Ian practice yesterday, he did really well,” Brown said Wednesday afternoon. “His legs are fresh because he’s been with the trainers for a month. We’ll grade the film again after today and see if he can get some snaps on Saturday. You’re just not really sure yet because he hasn’t done it.”
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