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UT fullback Johnson makes splash with quick TD catch

Published November 3rd, 2009 | 0 Comments

KNOXVILLE — The late kickoff for Saturday’s game against South Carolina led Tennessee fullback Austin Johnson and his teammates to have enough idle time that they practiced a little barbering.

Poorly.

Once the game started, Johnson didn’t have to wait nearly as long to get involved in the action.

On Tennessee’s second offensive play, a wide-open Johnson was the recipient of a 38-yard touchdown pass from Jonathan Crompton. It was the first strike in a 31-13 victory over the Gamecocks, and provided Johnson’s biggest highlight to date in a Volunteers uniform.

“It makes me feel that I’m able to contribute to the team and that hopefully I’ll be able to get some more chances and just keep working hard,” Johnson said Tuesday.

One of those chances has arrived. Tennessee coach Lane Kiffin re-opened the competition at fullback between starter Kevin Cooper and Johnson because of the sophomore’s improvement.

Cooper can block or catch the ball, also snaring a TD reception against the Gamecocks. Johnson has great hands — as evidenced by the touchdown — but his blocking remains a work in progress.

“There’s a lot of times where you’re hitting someone all day, every day, and you don’t want to go out there and hit,” Johnson said. “Cooper goes out there, and he’s out there smashing people. That gives me more motivation to keep working harder.”

Johnson played fullback in high school, but was better known as a linebacker and was recruited to UT by Phillip Fulmer’s staff to play that position. In fact, Johnson racked up 580 career stops for Hickory (N.C.) High School.

An early enrollee that spring, Johnson lasted about two weeks at linebacker. A ghastly knee injury suffered by veteran David Holbert left a hole on the depth chart at fullback, and Johnson was chosen to fill it.

He played in six games as a freshman, but after undergoing the uncertainty of a coaching change, watching Southern California and Oakland Raiders games made Johnson think the fullback would have a greater role as a receiver.

It happened. In fact, in practices during South Carolina week, the play where Johnson scored got some serious buzz from Kiffin and his staff.

“They had told us if they give us that particular look on defense that it was going to be a touchdown. And then the second play of the game we run it and it is a touchdown,” offensive guard Cory Sullins said. “It just reaffirms your belief that you know the coaches are fantastic coaches and we know they’re always going to put us in position to win.”

Just don’t expect Johnson to get a position cutting hair anytime soon. He and three other Vols, including injured placekicker Daniel Lincoln, gave themselves mohawks.

The players thought it was cool. Johnson’s mother? Not so much.

“I think she almost started crying when she saw me,” Johnson said. “She was very upset.”

Fullback isn’t the only position up for grabs this week.

Kiffin said that Vladimir Richard and Cory Sullins will get equal reps at left guard Saturday against Memphis (7 p.m., ESPNU). Brent Vinson also is expected to see time at cornerback for the first time since the Ohio game. Marsalous Johnson, who had been the Vols’ third corner, is out for multiple games because of a hand injury.

EXTRA POINTS: Tennessee (4-4) is favored by anywhere from 25 to 26½ points, depending on the oddsmaker. … The win over South Carolina marked the first time Tennessee has beaten a Steve Spurrier-coached opponent by double digits in 19 years. … For the second time this season, the Vols must replace an injured starter at middle linebacker. Herman Lathers and Nigel Mitchell-Thornton are competing for the job in the wake of Savion Frazier’s ACL injury. Frazier is out for the season. … Kiffin said “there is no situation” regarding freshman receiver Nu’Keese Richardson, who missed practice on Sunday. Kiffin said Richardson had been dealing with a personal issue that had been resolved. There was speculation Richardson would suspended be one game for missing the practice, but the coach indicated he’ll be available against the Tigers. “He wants to be a great player; he wants to go to the NFL and make a bunch of money to support his family,” Kiffin said. “He just has to be patient and do the little things. Like I said, it will come; he will be a great player.”

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