Photo: Howard University's QB Brian Johnson, 6-0/190 Sr., Gardenia, Calif./LA Southwest C.C.By St. Clair Murraine, Democrat Staff Writer
Brian Johnson carried the ball 14 times for 79 yards and was Howard's leading rushing against Hampton University. That's Brian Johnson the Bison's quarterback.
Johnson's ability to pass and run the ball has been more than just casual talk around FAMU's fieldhouse this week. He has been one of the primary concerns for the Rattlers as they prepare to face the Bison in a match-up of winless MEAC teams.
"He's very athletic," coach Rubin Carter said. "He moves around and could cause some problems because it's hard to defend that type of mobile quarterback. We will have to make sure that we have good schemes to defend what Howard is doing."
For the second consecutive year - and three straight 0-2 starts - FAMU is facing Howard (0-1) in a pivotal game. FAMU began to turn its season around last year with a win over the Bison.
But even with a first-year head coach in Carey Bailey, Howard could still pose some challenges for the Rattlers.
Johnson is the main reason. In addition to his rushing yards, he completed 21 of 37 pass attempts for 244 yards in a 31-24 loss to Hampton on Saturday.
Johnson, a 6-0, 190-pound senior, took over as quarterback late last season when he started the Bison's last fives games, winning four. He solidified his claim to start this season with a strong spring.
"He is a very, very smart football player," Bailey said, assessing Johnson earlier this week. "He's been able to take a grasp of our offense and know it inside-out. He was able throughout the game to make checks.
"The only thing we asked him to do is to not try to create a play that is going to be impossible. He did a great job of making smart decisions."
Bailey is aware that FAMU has shown deficiencies against the pass and rush in both of its games As a result the Rattlers are ranked seventh in both areas in the league, but Bailey isn't counting on FAMU continuing that pattern.
"Florida A&M poses a lot of different challenges," Bailey said. "One, they have an extremely fast football team. Two, that environment down there is very difficult to play in. And three, we know right now they're a very hungry football squad. They're very, very motivated."
Brian Johnson carried the ball 14 times for 79 yards and was Howard's leading rushing against Hampton University. That's Brian Johnson the Bison's quarterback.
Johnson's ability to pass and run the ball has been more than just casual talk around FAMU's fieldhouse this week. He has been one of the primary concerns for the Rattlers as they prepare to face the Bison in a match-up of winless MEAC teams.
"He's very athletic," coach Rubin Carter said. "He moves around and could cause some problems because it's hard to defend that type of mobile quarterback. We will have to make sure that we have good schemes to defend what Howard is doing."
For the second consecutive year - and three straight 0-2 starts - FAMU is facing Howard (0-1) in a pivotal game. FAMU began to turn its season around last year with a win over the Bison.
But even with a first-year head coach in Carey Bailey, Howard could still pose some challenges for the Rattlers.
Johnson is the main reason. In addition to his rushing yards, he completed 21 of 37 pass attempts for 244 yards in a 31-24 loss to Hampton on Saturday.
Johnson, a 6-0, 190-pound senior, took over as quarterback late last season when he started the Bison's last fives games, winning four. He solidified his claim to start this season with a strong spring.
"He is a very, very smart football player," Bailey said, assessing Johnson earlier this week. "He's been able to take a grasp of our offense and know it inside-out. He was able throughout the game to make checks.
"The only thing we asked him to do is to not try to create a play that is going to be impossible. He did a great job of making smart decisions."
Bailey is aware that FAMU has shown deficiencies against the pass and rush in both of its games As a result the Rattlers are ranked seventh in both areas in the league, but Bailey isn't counting on FAMU continuing that pattern.
"Florida A&M poses a lot of different challenges," Bailey said. "One, they have an extremely fast football team. Two, that environment down there is very difficult to play in. And three, we know right now they're a very hungry football squad. They're very, very motivated."
FAMU Jazz Ensemble
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