Fort Collins – Last spring was devoted to finding a starting running back at Colorado State. This spring the concentration is on backup help for all-Mountain West Conference second-teamer Kyle Bell.
Bell scored on an 8-yard run on the opening drive at Saturday’s spring scrimmage, then Gartrell Johnson III took over as the day’s leading rusher. He carried 11 times for 58 yards and caught a 5-yard pass against a steadily improving defense.
“It’s a chance to show everyone how much I’ve matured and how much stronger I’ve gotten,” said Johnson, who is 6 feet and 225 pounds and has improved his bench press to 360 pounds. “I think I showed some glimpses, I showed some good tough runs.”
He lives to run over defenders, not run around them. That’s how he gets his adrenaline rush.
After a medical redshirt as a true freshman, Johnson was limited to 11 carries and 29 yards in three games. He had been prone to fumbling, but Saturday he held on to the ball.
“It went well for a first scrimmage,” coach Sonny Lubick said. “The positive things were ball security was real good, the guys were anxious to do some hitting. We got what we wanted with 30 plays for each team. Gartrell ran hard today.”
Starting quarterback Caleb Hanie completed 10-of-13 passes for 99 yards, and backup Billy Farris was 5-for-7 for 52 yards.
Much like Johnson looking for notice among the backups, redshirt freshman receiver Rashaun Greer caught four passes for 44 yards. His last reception, a 28-yarder from Farris, was fumbled but recovered by tight end Kevin McPeek in the end zone.
Footnotes
The Rams came out injury-free except for a concussion suffered by safety Klint Kubiak. … The Rams will practice Monday, Wednesday and Thursday, with a 45-play scrimmage likely Thursday.
