How long has it been since Avery Johnson tied the Kansas State single-game running touchdown record? Johnson accomplished the record 13 months ago, when he rushed for 90 yards and five touchdowns in a road victory over Texas Tech. But for anyone who has seen the sophomore quarterback make plays mostly with his arm this season, it feels like a long time ago.
In ten games, Johnson has run for 412 yards and five touchdowns on 79 carries. His performance has dropped off in recent weeks, with only 91 yards and two scores on the ground in Kansas State’s last five games. That’s an average of 18.2 rushing yards per game over that time frame. Chris Klieman, K-State football coach, is ready for a change. “I want him to cut it loose a little bit more in running the football,” Klieman told reporters. “Maybe not in the first quarter on the first drive, but in the red zone and in the fourth quarter, because he’s a real threat with his legs.” More designed quarterback runs could be beneficial to the Wildcats.
Johnson’s speed distinguishes him from most other college quarterbacks. Asking him to stay in the pocket and throw downfield has worked at times this season, such as in a 45-18 victory over West Virginia, when Johnson threw for 298 yards and did not attempt a single run. However, the Kansas State offense has struggled in the last two games, while Johnson has thrown 79 passes. He carried for 21 yards and a touchdown in last week’s 24-14 loss to Arizona State. Prior to that, he carried for 18 yards on eight carries in a 24-19 loss to Houston. The Wildcats scored an average of 32.8 points in their first eight games. They have averaged 16.5 points in their last two games.
Johnson may need to use his legs more regularly, beginning with a 7 p.m. game against Cincinnati on Saturday at Bill Snyder Family Stadium. “At this point, it’s whatever I can do to help the team win,” Johnson told the crowd. “Obviously, I have shown that I can be a dangerous runner, but I haven’t been able to demonstrate that in the last few weeks.” But I’m definitely thrilled about that, being able to go out there and just show what I can do with my legs, and getting into that mindset earlier in the week, beginning right now, of going out there and just trying to exploit some stuff with my legs.”
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