Friday August 31, 2001

Johnson shines in debut

SAN DIEGO - There were doubters and there were critics, but UA junior quarterback Jason Johnson answered both of them last night.

Johnson, who prior to last night's game had only thrown a paltry 11 passes in his career, showed experience well beyond his years in the Wildcats' 23-10 victory over San Diego State.

Johnson completed 21-32 passes for 176 yards and one touchdown.

"I had a dream about us winning last night and I guess it came true," Johnson said.

Johnson's dream nearly turned into a nightmare when he was sacked for a 7-yard loss by SDSU senior defensive lineman Akbar Gbaja-Biamila in the second quarter.

"That was really the first time I had been hit in three years," Johnson said. "To tell you the truth, the first hit really woke me up. I got up and said 'this is what its like.' Then I got my head in the game and we went from there."

The Aztecs applied pressure on Johnson all night, blitzing the quarterback nearly every down. Johnson, who was only sacked two times, was able to avoid the pressure with the help of the offensive line.

"We expected them to blitz, but they blitzed a little more than we expected," Johnson said. "It took a little while to get that. Their defense definitely put the pressure on me. I think because it was my first time they wanted to come after me. We did a good job in making adjustments."

UA head coach John Mackovic said he was happy with his quarterback's performance against the Aztecs.

"I was pleased, he played well," Mackovic said. "He did a good job guarding the ball."

Johnson flourished last night in Mackovic's spread-out, pro-style offense.

"It was great working with Coach Mackovic," Johnson said. "He is always complementing you and (asking), 'how can we improve this?'"

The 6-foot-2, 210-pound signal caller connected with eight different receivers in the victory.

Johnson's longest pass of the night was a 41-yard bomb to sophomore wide receiver Andre Thurman, who was tackled on the SDSU 23 yard line. If it weren't for SDSU senior strong safety Garrett Pavelko, Thurman would have had a touchdown, making it the first in Johnson's career.

However, neither Pavelko nor any other player on SDSU could prevent Johnson from throwing his first touchdown pass.

Johnson's hit wide-open senior wide receiver Brandon Marshall from four yards out, to get his first touchdown.

Johnson is just happy that his team got the win.

"I had so much fun out there today," he said. "I can't wipe the smile off my face."

Despite feeling a little nervous, the native of Puyallup, Wash., actually was able to get some sleep last night.

Johnson received numerous phone calls from family and friends and even received a call from former Wildcat quarterback Keith Smith.

"I slept great," Johnson said. "Keith Smith called me from Canada and we talked for about an hour."

Johnson's counterpart, junior Lon Sheriff, did not fare as well.

Johnson and Sheriff met three years ago when both signal-callers were freshmen.

"At that time, Jason and I were pretty much just holding clipboards," Sheriff said. "I told him that one day we will start against each other."

While Sheriff's prediction became true, he did not picture it to turn out the way it did. Sheriff's night ended early when he was pulled in the fourth quarter for sophomore transfer Adam Hall. Sheriff went 15-30 for only 138 yards and failed to throw for a touchdown.

"I didn't play well enough for us to win tonight," Sheriff said. "I have to be responsible for that. A quarterback is supposed to guide the offense. I didn't do that tonight."

Though a quarterback controversy seems to have cropped up in San Diego, it's apparent UA has a quarterback it can call its own.