HUNTINGTON, W.Va.—Two days before preseason camp started, Devon Johnson was a tight end. Now, he’s etched his name into Marshall’s record books with the best single-game rushing performance in school history.
But Johnson is not taking any credit for his 272 yards rushing against FAU that broke Ron Darby’s record of 262 yards set back in 1988.
“All the credit goes to the offensive line. I couldn’t have done it with out them. They hold that, not me.”
Johnson, who has now rushed for 1,203 yards through eight games and has been a difference maker all season. When Marshall has needed to change the momentum of the game or diminish the will of the defense it has turned to “Rockhead” Johnson.
“He’s a tremendous player,” complimented coach Doc Holliday. “I won’t sit here and tell you that I knew all of this was going to happen. I new he was a really good football player but didn’t know I was going to move him to tailback and get the production we’ve gotten from him. I knew he was a really good player, but he’s not a good player, he’s a great player.”
Johnson’s 66-yard touchdown run in the fourth quarter gives him six runs of at least 50 yards this season. He has seven 100-yard games this year, tying the Marshall major college record for 100-yard games in a season. Ahmad Bradshaw did it in 2006 and Darius Marshall in 2008. Chris Parker owns the all-time mark with 10 100-yard games.
“He’s a blessing. The guys up front did a great job and Rock (Johnson) did a great job running; he has great vision. He did a great job of picking holes and going the distance. He’s just a blessing and it was great to see that when our passing game is having trouble, our rushing game can take over.”
When asked if Johnson owed the offensive line dinner after the record setting performance, center Chris Jasperse just grinned.
“Yeah, he owes us something, right?”
Johnson promised he’d reward his offensive line for the effort.
“Ha, it will be soon. I’m going to rest up and then I’ll take them out, they deserve it.”