He delivered for Texas. One final time. 

Roschon Johnson will not discover his title within the Longhorns’ report books. He will not be watching a participant on Saturdays come for his report many years after he is hung the cleats for good. 

However Johnson is part of Texas Longhorns’ historical past, particularly the tales as of late. He’ll be memorialized amongst gamers and friends who watched him rework from passer to playmaker within the open house. 

At any time when the Longhorns wanted a spark, Johnson swooped in to save lots of the day. And on Friday, he might need been the catalyst to maintain Texas within the operating for a Massive 12 title. 

“For [Rochson and Bijan Robinson] to have the second that they’d at this time, particularly within the fourth quarter, no person deserves it extra,” Texas coach Steve Sarkisian stated. 

Johnson rushed for 77 yards on 13 carries and averaged 5.9 yards per run. He picked up 5 first downs and bullied his means by means of Baylor defenders in a 38-27 win in entrance of a packed Royal-Memorial Stadium. 

However it was his two drives within the fourth quarter that cemented his standing as greater than the “different” operating again. Then once more, those that know him finest knew that was by no means the case. 

Down by two with minutes remaining within the third quarter, Quinn Ewers linked with Jordan Whittington for a achieve of 19 to place the Horns down at Baylor’s 5-yard line. Johnson, who arrange the cross on the play prior, bulldozed his means ahead for a achieve of 5 earlier than punching it in from the 1 a play later. 

That was the primary time Texas (8-4, 6-3 Massive 12) would name on No. 2 to be the No. 1 choice. The second play was even higher.

Following a 24-yard fumble returned for a landing by Gabe Corridor on a strip-sack towards Ewers, Sarkisian elected to run it the remainder of the way in which. Switching between Robinson and Johnson, the Longhorns moved with ease earlier than the previous ultimately scored on a 1-yard run. 

Up by 4, Sarkisian saved issues rolling on the bottom. Johnson picked up six on his first run of the following drive. Then one other six. Then two extra. 

Then, he had some enjoyable, catapulting himself over a Bears’ defender for an 11-yard landing to seal it. 

“I noticed it was one-on-one between me and the security, so I simply stuttered and jumped over [him],” Johnson stated postgame. 

Sarkisian stated postgame that his thoughts drew him again to final November. After the Longhorns’ extra time loss to Kansas, Johnson was the primary participant to talk. He demanded higher from his teammates and anticipated extra from those that donned with Brunt Orange uniform. 

Two weeks later, Johnson almost single-handily ended Texas’ six-game shedding streak behind his 179-yard efficiency towards Kansas State. For the second time, Sarkisian let Johnson deal with the locker room. 

On Friday, he let him do it once more. 

“I felt like he deserved it for what he is given to our program,” Sarkisian stated when requested of Johnson’s outing. “And Bijan’s the identical means. They signify the College of Texas with class.” 

From the time he touched down in Austin, Johnson did all the things requested of him. tom Herman requested him to make a place swap after his freshman season. With out hesitation, he picked up a ball and commenced working drills. 

When Robinson arrived, Johnson accepted his function because the secondary runner. He did it with grace. He acted maturely. Most of all, he by no means withered in apply, all the time on the lookout for a second probability at reps. 

Then a 3rd. And a fourth. 

He led by instance because the drill sergeant of the locker room. If gamers weren’t working at RoJo’s degree, that will change on the following play. 

“If you’re drained on Fridays otherwise you don’t need to go to apply some days, he’s all the time the man to raise you up,” Robinson stated. “Ro has been such an enormous half for me in my rising phases. He’s all the time been a pacesetter for me and the entire workforce in addition to a brother to me.”

Johnson stood on DKR’s turf for so long as he might. He took photos with the Longhorn devoted. He signed autographs for youths and thanked the gang for his or her assist during the last 4 years. 

However actually, Johnson wasn’t able to say goodbye. To depart his residence away from residence. To finish one chapter of his life for one more. Even perhaps a brighter one. 

Quarterbacks are taught to guide from the time a ball is positioned of their fingers. Operating backs are showboaters that create spotlight reels to point out after they’re previous. 

Johnson is and all the time has been each for Texas. Take out the title. Go away within the management. 

“I am grateful,” stated Johnson. “Simply grateful to be right here.” 

You possibly can comply with Matt Galatzan on Twitter @MattGalatzan

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