Johnson On Verge Of Touchdown Record

Article reprinted courtesy of Fargo Forum and reporter Eric Peterson. Picture courtesy of Fargo Forum photographer Dave Samson.

Moorhead---In the triple-option offense Concordia's football team runs, the position where Chad Johnson plays is designated as the fullback.

Johnson doesn't perform like your average fullback. The 6-foot-1, 210-pound senior is explosive with the speed and quickness to rip off long touchdowns runs.

"He doesn't look like a fullback," Cobbers head coach Terry Horan said. "He's that more complete fullback because he can house-call it, like right now. I don't think we've had anybody who can do that."

Johnson can set a new football standard for Concordia at 1 p.m. Saturday when the No. 15-ranked Cobbers play No. 6-ranked St. Thomas at O'Shaughnessy Stadium in St. Paul in a Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference showdown. The former Dilworth-Glyndon-Felton standout has 34 career touchdowns, which is tied for the Concordia record with former fullback Brett Baune (2009-12).

"I don't really worry about it too much," Johnson said. "I try to stay humble about it and just focus on winning with the team."

The Cobbers (4-0, 2-0 MIAC) and St. Thomas (4-1, 3-0) are the final two teams unbeaten in MIAC play this season. The Tommies have won nine consecutive games against Concordia.

"The whole team kind of gets fired up because it's St. Thomas," Johnson said. "We can't really get too hyped up about it and lose focus on what we do best. We've just got to go out there and execute."

Johnson has rushed for 2,022 yards on 322 attempts in his career, averaging 6.3 yards per carry. He's rushed for 32 touchdowns, including nine this fall. He's also caught two TDs during his four-year career with the Cobbers.

"He's one of the smaller fullbacks that we've had, but he's a load to bring down," said Concordia senior Jason Montonye. "He just always seems to make the big play when it counts."

Johnson had a 71-yard touchdown run in a 25-18 victory against then No. 15-ranked Wisconsin-Whitewater earlier this season. He added a 33-yard TD run in a 27-17 victory against Gustavus last weekend. Last season, Johnson had a 28-yard scoring burst in a 23-20 home loss against St. Thomas.

"When you think the play is over, it's never over with him," Montonye said. "He finds a way to break a tackle and just keep going."

Johnson lines up about three yards behind the quarterback in the Concordia offense, which also usually features two slot backs. Most of his runs are quick hits up the middle where Johnson can use his quickness, power, speed and agility.

"He comes out of his stance, quicker and better than I think we've had there since I've been here," said Horan, in his 17th season as head coach. "You've got kind of a fullback in a tailback's body. He gives us that speed."

Horan describes Johnson as "crazy athletic" with a work ethic to match. Johnson also plays baseball for the Cobbers. Eileen Johnson, Chad's mother, said it's been emotional to watch her son excel for Concordia and be on the verge of breaking the school record for touchdowns.

"It's tear-jerking because he's worked so hard," Eileen said. "He's in the gym seven days a week. He deserves everything. I'm the mom in the stands with a blood pressure of 205 over 180."

Eileen and Dennis Johnson, Chad's father, added their son will be the first to give credit to the offensive line and his teammates for the success.

"He's the most humble, amazing kid," Eileen said. "He's a one-of-a-kind kid, I will tell you that much."