Opportunist Johnson
makes key saves
By Larry Stunkel . , x. . u o
Being at the right place at the right time has been a
characteristic the past three games of semor cornerback
Ardell Johnson, much to the delight of Husker fans and
coaches.
One might remember, it was Johnson who recovered
Oklahoma State quarterback Charlie Weatherbie s
fourth quarter fumble on the NU two-yard line to
preserve the Huskers' 7-3 win.
More recently, Johnson again came up with a crucial
recovery against Iowa State when Cyclone quarterback
Tom Mason fumbled on the NU 12 after a substanial
gain in the second quarter.
Adding up the statistics, Johnson in the last three
games has included two interceptions and three fumble
recoveries among his regular duties in the secondary.
"Part of the job is being where the ball is," defensive
secondary coach Warren Powers said. "Ardell has
made some big plays for us just doing his job."
Attributes possessed by Johnson, Powers said, are
speed, judgment and intelligence.
Johnson, who is the fastest Husker with a 4.3
seconds time in the 40-yard dash, has improved as he
has gained experience, Powers said.
Johnson agrees his recent success "is a matter of
playing the position, knowing where the play is going
and being there."
Another characteristic of Johnson's is his reckless
abandon in trying to block kicks.
Johnson's style of flying desperately at kicks has
netted him two crucial blocks in his career. More
recently, he partially jabbed a field goal attempt early
in the Oklahoma State game. Last season it was
Johnson's block of a Kansas extra point that made the
difference in that 10-9 Husker win.
"I try to land on my side," Johnson said. "Every so
often I'll land on my stomach and get the wind knocked
out."
Johnson, who is majoring in business and hopes to
enter law school, came to Nebraska from Chillicothe,
Mo., without a scholarship.
"This was the place I wanted to come to originally
because I'd planned to major in architecture," he said.
"Coach Osborne said I'd get more than a fair chance to
play."
In his first year, Johnson started in the defensive
backfield for the freshman team and earned a
scholarship for the rest of his career .
Johnson said that walk-ons get a fair chance to make
the team at Nebraska especially now that scholarships
have been limited to 30 per year.
"Anytime the number of scholarships is limited
you've got to look at walk-ons because there are some
kids that don't get the exposure others do," he said.
"Doina vour Dart when you do piay is important since
f (ha tom " Inhnc.nn said "hilt thfi main
you're part of the team
thing is still winning
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