Johnson headlines CSU's nine all-conference selections

Dec. 3, 2008

By Zak Gilbert
Athletic Media Relations

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. – Gartrell Johnson, who authored the fifth-best season by a running back in CSU history, is a first-team all-conference selection, the Mountain West announced Wednesday.

Johnson, who gained 1,191 yards and scored 10 touchdowns on 251 carries (4.7 avg.), was one of nine Rams honored Wednesday:

First team (1):  RB Gartrell Johnson

Second team (4): WR Rashaun Greer, TE Kory Sperry, OL Shelley Smith, P Anthony Hartz

Honorable Mention (4): LB Ricky Brewer, LB Mychal Sisson, K Jason Smith, C Tim Walter

Other than Johnson and senior tight end Kory Sperry, a second-team selection, seven of the nine players were recognized as all-conference for the first time Wednesday. Johnson was honorable-mention all-MWC in 2007, while Sperry garnered honorable mention in both 2005 and ’06.

Johnson, a 6-0, 227-pound senior out of Miami Springs, Fla., is the first CSU player to receive first-team honors since punter Jimmie Kaylor in 2005. Prior to the 2006 season, the last time CSU did not place a player on its conference’s first team was 1972. The last time CSU had no first-team selections in consecutive years was 1966-67.

Arguably the toughest and most inspiring player in the league, Johnson becomes the first Rams running back to garner first-team honors since Cecil Sapp in 2002. He joins a long list of the Rams’ first-team all-conference running backs, including Sapp, Kevin McDougal (1999), Damon Washington (1997), Calvin Branch (1996), Brian Copeland (1990) Tony Alford (1989), Steve Bartalo (1984-86), Alvin Lewis (1980), Larry Jones (1978) and Lawrence McCutcheon (1970-71).

The first player since E.J. Watson (1993-95) to lead the Rams in rushing over three consecutive years, Johnson also was a serious candidate for Mountain West Offensive Player of the Year. His 111.4 rushing yards per game during the eight-game conference season ranked first in the Mountain West. The Rams were 0-3 when he did not touch the ball at least 20 times. They were 5-1 when he rushed for at least 100 yards, their only loss a 45-42 heartbreaker vs. then-No. 17 BYU, Nov. 1.

Greer, a 6-foot-1, 200-pound junior from North Las Vegas, Nev., ranked second in the conference (21st in the nation) with 87.1 receiving yards per game, and sixth with 5.17 receptions per game. The first 1,000-yard receiver at CSU since David Anderson in 2005, with 62 catches and 1,045 yards, he became only the fifth Rams player to reach that single-season plateau, joining Anderson (2003, ’05), Greg Primus (1991, ’92), Jeff Champine (1983) and Willie Miller (1974).  CSU quarterbacks had not thrown in his direction until this season, and his 12 starts were the first of his college career.

Shelley Smith, a 6-foot-4, 290-pound junior from Phoenix, Ariz., is considered by CSU coaches one of the Rams’ best players. Having played with a significant ankle injury in three games, he still did not allow a sack all season (in nearly 400 passing plays with him on the field), and was not called for a penalty. He graded better than 90 percent in every game and earned a season-best 99 percent grade against then-No. 17 BYU, in a 45-42 loss (Nov. 1). He was the stalwart on an offensive line that paved the way for CSU’s first 1,000-yard rusher (Johnson) in three years.

Sperry, a 6-6, 250-pound senior from Vineland, Colo., started every contest for CSU this year, rebounding from a torn anterior-cruciate ligament that prematurely ended his 2007 season. Not only did Sperry catch 37 passes for 470 yards and five TDs, which tied his single-season career high, he also delivered a significant block on eight of Johnson’s 10 TD runs, including all three in a thrilling conference-opening win vs. UNLV (Oct. 4). Against now-No. 12 TCU and the nation’s No. 1 defense (Oct. 11), he caught six passes for 104 yards, including a 33-yard grab on third-and-2 during the Rams’ game-opening touchdown drive; his goal-line block on that drive ushered Johnson into the end zone. And, in an important 38-34 win at San Diego State (Oct. 25), he matched his career high with three TD receptions in a closely contested game, earning his second career John Mackey national Tight End of the Week honor; each of his first two scores knotted the game, capping long scoring drives, while his third, a spectacular 9-yard catch in the corner of the end zone, gave CSU its game-winning points early in the fourth quarter.

Hartz, a 6-foot, 185-pound junior-college transfer from Santa Barbara (Calif.) College, led the conference and ranked 10th in the nation with a 44.2-yard gross punting average. Of his 42 punts on the year, 12 pinned opponents inside their own 20-yard line, and 10 covered at least 50 yards.  In an intimidating environment at Cal (Sept. 27), he recorded a pair of 60-yard punts. And, late in the close loss to BYU, he cornered a fourth-quarter punt out of bounds at the Cougars’ 11-yard line; CSU recovered a fumble three plays later, and scored a go-ahead TD by using a short field on its ensuing possession.

Brewer, a 6-foot-2, 210-pound sophomore from Denver, Colo., led the team and ranked sixth in the conference with 8.5 tackles per game. In a dramatic 28-25 win vs. Houston (Sept. 20), he put his helmet on the ball to force a second-half fumble from RB Bryce Beall; teammate Mike Pagnotta recovered to halt the Cougars, who were moving the ball efficiently at the time. At Cal (Sept. 27), he injured his ankle early in the contest but still played the entire game.

Sisson, a freshman All-America candidate, was the only freshman nominated by his team for both Freshman of the Year and all-conference honors. Over the eight-game conference season, only two other players averaged more tackles per game than Sisson (9.9). And, across the entire nation, only Oklahoma’s Travis Lewis among Division I FBS freshmen had more tackles than Sisson (99).

Jason Smith, a 6-foot-2, 202-pound senior from Centennial, Colo., played in 10 games after sustaining a broken arm during a freak play, diving for a loose ball at the last practice of fall camp, Aug. 23. He had just one unsuccessful kick (field goals or PATs), tied for fewest in the conference, having connected on all 27 PATs and 10 of 11 field goals to become the most accurate career kicker in CSU annals. He did not miss a kick in any of his four games that were decided in the final minutes, connecting on all 18 kicks in those games. And, he was perfect in his four games decided by one score or less, connecting on all 15 kicks in those contests.

Walter, a 6-foot-6, 289-pound center out of Manhattan Beach, Calif., started every game, making all the line calls in CSU’s elaborate multiple-set offense. CSU did not fumble a snap with him under center (nearly 800 plays). He graded out at 82 percent or better in every game and allowed just one sack (in nearly 500 passing plays with him on the field).

Calendar

Upcoming Events

Recent Results