Johnson runs wild for Rams

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. – Colorado State’s Gartrell Johnson was reluctant to talk about his career-high 285 yards rushing, so teammate Tommie Hill took over for him.

Sort of.

“I’m not going to give him credit because he got run down twice,” Hill joked after Colorado State rallied for a 40-35 victory over Fresno State (7-6) on Saturday in the New Mexico Bowl.

Johnson added 90 yards receiving for 375 total yards and scored two fourth-quarter touchdowns. All day long, he left defenders reaching for the dreadlocks tumbling out of his helmet.

Johnson set a Football Bowl Subdivision record for the most combined yards rushing and receiving in a postseason game. He had the second-most yards rushing in a bowl, trailing only a 307-yard effort by P.J. Daniels of Georgia Tech at the 2004 Humanitarian Bowl. It was also the second-best rushing performance in school history.

“It just feels great,” Johnson said. “It’s good for everyone.”

Johnson sealed the victory on a 77-yard touchdown burst with 1:46 remaining, igniting a celebration by fans who made the 7-hour drive from Fort Collins, Colo. He was honored as the most valuable offensive player as Colorado State (7-6) won a bowl for the first time since 2001.

“He is a very physical back,” Rams coach Steve Fairchild said. “He made some big plays in the passing game, too, which really bailed us out. You can’t say enough. His numbers speak for him.”

The Rams took their first lead at 33-28 when Farris threw a 69-yard TD to Rashaun Greer with 7 minutes left.

The loss capped a rough season for the injury-depleted Bulldogs, who talked in fall workouts about a possible Bowl Championship Series run. They led 28-20 early in the fourth quarter.

Fresno State’s Anthony Harding finished with 120 yards rushing, and teammate Lonyae Miller added 113.