Another week, another gifted Big 12 quarterback taking aim at Colorado.
This time it’s Jerrod Johnson of Texas A&M, a 6-foot-5, 229-pound sophomore who seemingly came out of nowhere. Johnson even worked some at wide receiver early in the season but has flourished at quarterback after taking over for three-year starter Stephen McGee, who injured his throwing shoulder.
In a 49-35 Aggies victory last weekend at Iowa State, Johnson completed 31-of-39 passes for 381 yards and a career-best four touchdowns. He also ran for a score.
Johnson has combined for 1,083 yards and six TD passes in his past three games. That included a school-record 419 yards passing against Kansas State on Oct. 11.
Colorado (4-4, 1-3 Big 12) plays at Texas A&M (3-5, 1-3) at noon Saturday.
“Jerrod, particularly in the last couple of weeks, has made some strides toward being a more dependable quarterback,” first-year Aggies coach Mike Sherman said Monday on the Big 12 teleconference. “He takes less chances than he did earlier. He’s more protective of the football when he’s running around.
“He’s making better decisions as a quarterback, which is the ultimate measuring stick.”
Johnson, from the Houston suburb of Humble, redshirted in 2006 and then attempted just seven passes last fall as McGee’s backup. He appears to be gaining a greater comfort level with the offense, Iowa State coach Gene Chizik said.
“You could see him getting better every week,” Chizik said. “I thought he threw the ball great against us Saturday night. It didn’t matter where there was pressure on him and and scrambled out, or if he just set and hit a target. He made some really good throws.
“I think it was a result of him playing (for several weeks) and improving his game. He was very impressive. He made some throws when the coverage was pretty tight.”
On the Big 12 teleconference, Colorado coach Dan Hawkins said of Johnson: “Their whole team has really gotten better as the year’s gone on. (Johnson) is doing a really nice job. He’s another guy that can hurt you running the football. He has a real quick release. He’s a good player.”
McGee, who has thrown for more than 5,000 career yards, banged up his shoulder in the second game against New Mexico and later re-aggravated it. Sherman said McGee also could play Saturday against CU. But expect Johnson to be the starter.
HORROR FLICK?
Some college coaches may have found a trash can for tape of a 58-0 loss. But CU coach Dan Hawkins said the team reviewed video on Sunday of the mauling by Missouri.
“I just think you have to learn from everything,” Hawkins said Monday on the teleconference. “It’s not about what the score was, win or lose you have to learn from it and move on.”
FOOTNOTES
Dan Hawkins said Monday that he expects to use both quarterbacks, sophomore Cody Hawkins and freshman Tyler Hansen, again this weekend.
… As for whether both punters will play, Dan Hawkins was noncommittal.
… The coach said his offense has not scrapped the I-formation. CU tailbacks had some success running out of the I-formation against Kansas State but Hawkins said that alignment did not fit into the game plan against Missouri (presumably because of unfavorable matchups).
Tom Kensler: 303-954-1280 or tkensler@denverpost.com
