Andrew Johnson Makes an Impact in First-Career Start for Cowboys
* Story by Paityn Hulstrom
LARAMIE -- Jay Sawvel said Monday this could have served as a turning point.
With 6:25 remaining in the third quarter and Idaho holding on to a seven-point lead, the punt team trotted onto the field. Lined up at its own 45, it appeared the visitors were going to flip the field and pin a struggling Wyoming offense deep in its own territory.
That didn't happen.
Upback Orion Peters took a direct snap and bolted to his left. There were plenty of blockers out front. A gaping hole formed. The Washington State transfer turned on the jets.
No. 3 in gold was waiting for him.
Andrew Johnson, with a little help from linebacker Connor Shay, buried the 5-foot-8 wide receiver at midfield. Making his first-career start, the junior safety from Cheyenne thwarted the fake and likely saved at least three minutes of game clock.
By now, you know how this one played out. Idaho would eventually hold on -- with a little help from Cowboy miscues and missed opportunities -- for a 17-13 victory in front of a capacity crowd inside War Memorial Stadium.
Johnson, wearing a Wyoming state flag headband and eye black smeared across his face, wasn't eager to talk about his own accomplishments postgame. That included four more tackles out of the secondary.
His team is now 0-2.
He also wore that on his face.
“Obviously, I was excited to have an opportunity to go out and play my game," he said. "You have to go look in the mirror before you look outward. It's about looking at yourself and getting better."
Johnson, who is in his third year at Wyoming, appeared in all 13 games during the 2023 campaign, becoming a mainstay on special teams as he's patiently waited his turn behind a pair of senior safeties, Isaac White and Wyett Ekeler.
White suffered a head injury in a Week-1 loss at Arizona State and wasn't medically cleared after suffering a mid-week setback, according to Sawvel. That opened the door for Johnson.
Was it perfect? Hardly.
Jack Wagner lofted a pass into the end zone late in the first half. He overshot wideout Jordan Dwyer, who was cruising into the brown-and-gold paint all alone. Edge rusher Sabastian Harsh provided just enough pressure in the backfield to cause the errant throw.
That was Idaho's first misfire in nine pass attempts. It also saved Johnson, who was beaten on the play.
Idaho instead tacked on a 49-yard field goal to take a 17-10 lead.
“Look, when you’re a safety, you’re in charge of the communication and we about gave up a touchdown," Sawvel said from behind the podium. "But, at least I can tell you there weren't plays that happened because of Andrew Johnson’s fault. I like his effort and how he’s improved as a player.”
MORE UW FOOTBALL NEWS VIA 7220SPORTS:
* Wyoming Football: News and Notes Ahead of BYU
* Tuck's Take: Wyoming self-destructs in latest setback
* Pokes stumble in opener, fall to Idaho, 17-13
* Turning point, unsung hero, what's next for UW Football
* Rants and Raves: Idaho Edition
* LIVE FILE: Wyoming Cowboys vs. Idaho Vandals
* 7220sports.com Kickoff Show: Flush it, move on
* Wyoming's Chris Durr was a bright spot on a dark desert night
* What happened to Wyoming's new-look offense in Tempe?
* Eleven former Cowboys land on NFL rosters
His mindset didn't waver.
"I like to look at it one play at a time," Johnson said. "I mean, you're always going to go out and there's one play ahead of you. You're going to play that the best you can. So, you take that. Whatever the result is, you have to move on from there and focus on the next one."
A clearly frustrated Ekeler was asked about his running mate's performance. It was a welcome change from the questions about this winless start and all that has gone wrong.
“He played fabulous," he said of Johnson. "For his first start, he played very good. I’m very happy for him."
Despite the loss, Wyoming held the visitors off the scoreboard over the final 30 minutes. After a perfect start, Wagner only connected on four of his next 13 pass attempts.
The defense did its part. The offense, on the other hand, managed just 126 yards through the air and committed four costly second-half penalties to erase any hope of a comeback.
This team isn't about to start pointing fingers, Johnson said.
That was the message delivered in the locker room.
“It’s not about you did this wrong, you did this wrong, it’s about looking at yourself and getting better," he added. "That’s what I’m going to do. I’m going to look at myself, see how I can get better tomorrow, get better Monday and I’m going to work on helping the dudes around me get better.”
Hated rival BYU is paying a visit to the high plains this Saturday night. White is expected to return to the lineup, barring any unforeseen issues in concussion protocol, Sawvel said Monday.
Johnson will be ready when called upon. It's his dream, he said, to wear this uniform. He never takes these opportunities for granted.
“Playing, as a local kid, is definitely one of the biggest prides of my life,” Johnson said. “Being able to come out, even in a disappointing result like today, just the fans and the atmosphere we have, it really makes a huge difference.”
Kickoff between the Cowboys and Cougars is set for 7 p.m. Mountain Time. The game will be televised on CBS Sports Network.
(For transparency sake, Andrew Johnson is the son of 7220sports.com photographer DJ Johnson. Author Paityn Hulstrom is a 7220sports.com intern who attends the University of Wyoming. )
A day with the Bills Mafia
More From 7220 Sports
