Johnson carries UNI into FCS second round

CEDAR FALLS - The last time David Johnson saw action in an FCS playoff game, he carried just four times for 68 yards, and his team lost, 48-10, to Montana.

Fast forward three years, and he owned the night in a 44-10 first-round blowout of Stephen F. Austin at the UNI-Dome. The senior running back took the first play from scrimmage 73 yards for a touchdown, and it was on from there.

'That was really special; I couldn't believe it was that wide open,” Johnson said. 'That was our goal, to come out and pound it right away and just get out fast and get on the scoreboard as quickly as we could.

'I was really young, so I don't remember too much (from 2011), I just remember the score and it wasn't a good game. Now I'm just excited our momentum is still going.”

Johnson finished with 23 carries for 152 yards and three touchdowns rushing. He added two catches for 84 yards, including a 70-yard touchdown reception. His three rushing TDs moved him to first on the all-time rushing touchdown list at UNI with 48 in his career. He also broke the UNI career total points scored record, getting to 378 and passing kicker Billy Hallgren's 364.

Coach Mark Farley generally gives a smile and a laugh when he's asked about the latest big play or performance from the running back who will leave as the most decorated at his position in school history. Saturday night was no different, especially when he was asked about that opening score.

Plays like that have almost become commonplace, he said.

'That's David Johnson. Every time he goes on the football field he does something great,” Farley said. 'I don't know if it's a surprise; it's fun to watch. The first run was outstanding. That was just a burst and to watch him outrun people the way he does - he's fun to watch and we're lucky to have him. I'm glad he's playing the way he is going down the stretch.”

But to ask Johnson, there's no self-aggrandizing. Every record or touchdown garners compliments to his offensive line, quarterback and/or coaches for helping him get there.

That same self-awareness is what led him to say - as he's done on a few occasions this season - he still has room to get better given he lost his first fumble since the 2013 season opener at Iowa State.

His teammates, though, have no problem gushing about how much fun it is to play with him and watch him when he's on his way into the end zone. Quarterback Brion Carnes said the touchdown pass was actually a check down, not a designed screen, and Carnes' eyes got big when he saw Johnson

As for the opening run, knew as soon as he handed the ball to Johnson on the first play it was going for a score.

'I just said, ‘Six.' I knew it was a touchdown. I knew David was going kick it into (another) gear, and next thing you know he was out of the gate,” Carnes said. 'It was like they (SFA) were trying to bring everybody (on the pass), so once they did that I knew David was going to be my check down. Once they did that, I said, ‘I'm gonna let David do his job and let DJ run.'”

Johnson's impact on the team and program is far-reaching, and provided he and his teammates stay healthy, hopes to continue to have an impact through December.

Farley certainly doesn't want to entertain the notion of playing without him, which is why he pulled Johnson midway through the third quarter.

'To start the game like that, I think, to the opponent, if you see the guy play and that's his first run it probably hits you,” Farley said. 'I hope not to find out (what it's like without him). He's a great player, and very evident about that.”

Northern Iowa plays at Illinois State in the second round of the FCS playoffs on Saturday at 1 p.m. in Normal, Ill.

l Comments: (319) 368-8884; jeremiah.davis@thegazette.com