John Shinn
Boise State created one of the most distinctive stadiums in college football in 1986. That’s when it decided Astroturf didn’t need to be green.
Instead, the Broncos went with blue and established a national identity that has increased over the last 20 years. It doesn’t take long to figure which game the highlight is from when the blue turf is exposed.
Boise State’s players, until this season, haven’t experienced the same kind of notoriety. But that could change when the ninth-ranked Broncos (12-0) face No. 7 Oklahoma (11-2) in the Fiesta Bowl Jan. 1.
“They are a talented team across the board,” OU coach Bob Stoops said. “You look at a lot of those seniors that are experienced and have played in a really good way. They are very sure of themselves in the way they have played. You can see they have been well-disciplined and schooled in what their techniques are and how they are expected to play.”
The Broncos start 11 seniors. Among that group is middle linebacker and Western Athletic Conference defensive player of the year Korey Hall and quarterback Jared Zabransky.
But the breakout player many expect to become a household name is sophomore running back Ian Johnson.
With the numbers he put up this season, it’s hard to believe that won’t be the case.
Johnson finished the regular season second in the country in rushing with 158.33 yards per game. He also is tops in the nation in scoring, averaging 13.09 points per game, and is fifth in all-purpose rushing with 151.27 yards per game.
“He’s averaging over six yards per carry,” OU defensive coordinator Brent Venables said. “We haven’t seen anybody this year who’s averaged almost six and a half yards a carry.”
And the Sooners have seen some good running backs this season. But the 5-foot-11, 194-pound could be the best of the lot.
He was named first-team All-America by SI.com and CBS SportsLine.com. The Sporting News made him a second team selection on its All-American and the Associated Press found a place for him on the third team.
When the 2007 season begins, he will certainly be on the short list of Heisman Trophy Contenders.
“He is a very patient runner, and has very good feet and tight positions, so he can create seams and get some space,” Stoops said. “He’s physical when he has to be and makes people miss him. He’s got a little bit of all of that. He is just a solid, good running back. As you watch him, you see him make a lot of people miss him and get some extra yards.”
He also is tough.
He set a Boise State record for single-season rushing despite suffering a partially collapsed lung Nov. 11 against San Jose State. He spent five nights in a San Jose, Calif., hospital. Yet only missed one game.
Johnson came back and rushed for 147 yards in three touchdowns in the Broncos’ Fiesta Bowl-sealing 38-7 victory over Nevada on Nov. 25.
Perhaps, the pain wasn’t too hard to handle. He’s played with cracked ribs most of the season.
“It speaks to his competitiveness, will to play and toughness,” Stoops said.
OU’s Adrian Peterson will get more of the running back spotlight in the Fiesta Bowl, but there’s no doubt Johnson won’t be in the shadows.
John Shinn366-3536jshinn@normantranscript.com
