Why K-State is ‘really excited’ for future after just one start from QB Avery Johnson

The night began with Avery Johnson making his first start as a college quarterback. It ended with him clutching an MVP trophy.

Johnson was man of the hour as Kansas State wildly celebrated a 28-19 victory over North Carolina State in the Pop-Tarts Bowl on Thursday at Camping World Stadium. Fans were eager to see what he could do in taking over the offense after Will Howard ran the show during the regular season, and he didn’t disappoint.

The freshman from Maize guided the Wildcats to 28 points, 436 yards and enough highlight plays to make him one of the most hyped quarterbacks in the Big 12 heading into next season.

It’s impossible to downplay his potential after Johnson completed 14 of 31 passes for 178 yards and two touchdowns to go along with 71 yards and a touchdown as a rusher.

“The biggest thing he did was just control all the pressure,” K-State offensive lineman Cooper Beebe said. “Having his first start being a bowl game, it was a huge moment. He played well and he played composed. I have said it before, but that guy is just a dude. He’s going to carry this program to heights we haven’t reached before. I’m excited to watch him.”

Johnson was so good in his debut as a starter that it was difficult to pinpoint exactly what he did best.

Was it the 19-yard touchdown run he pulled off on a scramble drill? Multiple NC State defenders fell to the turf trying to catch him as he juked his way up the field.

Was it that he finished the game without a single interception or turnover-worthy play?

Was it that he led the Wildcats on a clutch touchdown drive of 72 yards that drained more than seven minutes off the clock with the game on the line?

Believe it or not, it might not have been any of those things. K-State coaches and players marveled at the way he read the NC State defense and checked into new plays at the line of scrimmage that continually worked. For example, both of his touchdown passes came after Johnson made an audible.

The first was a 37-yard pass to running back DJ Giddens. The Wolfpack blitzed on that particular play, and Johnson was smart enough to see it coming. He sent Giddens on a short route over the middle of the field, exactly where the incoming NC State defenders were blitzing from. Giddens made the catch and ran untouched into the end zone.

Later, in the fourth quarter, he instructed K-State receiver Jayce Brown to run a slot fade against man coverage and Brown ended up open in the end zone for another score.

“I looked at him and when I saw he gave me the check, I knew I had a slot fade,” Brown said. “I knew he was going to trust me and throw me the ball. So I was able to go up there and get it.”

No one was surprised when Johnson made those wise decisions.

“He really took this week serious with just those little things like reading coverages and pre-snap reads,” Brown said. “We all took it really serious. We wanted to win this game. We didn’t come here just for a vacation. We wanted to win the game and Avery was a big part of that.”

The K-State offense certainly appears in good hands.

It might be hard for some teams to replace a quarterback like Howard, who is currently mulling his options between Ohio State, USC and the NFL. But the Wildcats have a young, talented understudy who is ready for a starring role.

Johnson is one of the fastest quarterbacks in the entire country, and he showed off his speed against NC State. Once he starts scrambling it’s difficult to get him stopped.

NC State coach Dave Doeren said he has competed against other quarterbacks with that kind of dual-threat talent. The ones he named put Johnson in elite company.

“Vince Young was pretty good when we played against him,” Doeren said. “Lamar Jackson was pretty good when we played against him. There have been quite a few in the ACC that can run around and drive you crazy. That is a talented young quarterback. K-State has a great player there. He has a tremendous future.”

Assuming he improves as he spends more time within the K-State offense, his arm will become a more dangerous part of his game and he will become a complete quarterback. He is already on his way.

K-State fans will enjoy watching him mature, because he still has several years in front of him.

He has only started in one game as a college quarterback and yet he has already rushed for a school record five touchdowns in one contest and won bowl MVP honors in another.

The Wildcats were happy to win the Pop-Tarts Bowl on Thursday, but they are even more giddy about next season with Johnson at the controls.

“The kid is mature beyond his years,” K-State coach Chris Klieman said. “I think a lot of people saw that North Carolina State has got really good players on defense and they had a hard time catching him, because he just understands angles and how to beat people. ... For a young player to do what he did, we’re really excited about the future.”