Big West champs?

Bowl bid?

Heisman Trophy candidate?

These are words previously not found in the NIU vocabulary, at least not before the Huskies entered the Big West. Although words can’t prove a thing, senior tailback LeShon Johnson may be all the proof the Huskies need.

LeShon “Cowboy” Johnson is originally from Haskell, Oklahoma and before coming to NIU he attended Northeast Oklahoma A & M where he played football with Huskie teammate and quarterback Scott Crabtree.

“I feel comfortable playing with Scott, because when I don’t have the ball, I know his capabilities,” Johnson said.

Now that the Huskies are members of the Big West they can use Crabtree’s capabilities, and Johnson’s intense acceleration to bring home a conference championship, and a bid to the Las Vegas Bowl. Conference play could also give Johnson the recognition he was denied in the 1992 season.

“Being in the Big West will really help the team,” Johnson said. “It gives us something to shoot for.

“The Big West will also give more people a chance to see me on the west coast, and in other parts of the country.”

“LeShon will definitely be a big factor in winning the conference,” said senior linebacker Steve Wild. “As long as he stays healthy and keeps producing we can win.”

Starting his second season as a Huskie, Johnson is coming off an electrifying year in 1992 where he ran for 1,338 yards on 265 carries. Averaging over 121 yards per game in 1992, he ranked eighth in rushing right behind one of last year’s Heisman candidates Reggie Brooks.

Whether or not the Huskies win the conference, Johnson is bound to be recognized nationally. But will that be enough for a Heisman vote? Maybe that’s a question that should be left untouched until the end of the season.

“I don’t feel that the Heisman Trophy is important at all,” Johnson said. “It doesn’t guarantee anything. If it guaranteed a first round draft pick in the NFL then I’d think that it was important,” he said.

“I think he (Johnson) can play in a program like Wheatley or Faulk,” Wild said. “His image isn’t up to their’s because NIU’s image isn’t up to the bigger schools,” he said.

Image isn’t everything and Johnson isn’t going to let image get in his way to leading the Huskies to a conference championship.

“We’re really excited about the season,” Johnson said. “Our defense is tough and our offensive line is big. I can see us in the Las Vegas Bowl in December,” he said.

With seven returning starters to the Huskie defense and an offensive line averaging over 290 pounds, Johnson may have his chance to take home a bowl title.

The Huskies open the season at Iowa State on September 2nd followed by a road trip to Indiana before coming home to host conference rival Arkansas State. The Huskies only have four home games this season and Johnson said he hopes that will give the fans an incentive to attend the games.

“I love playing in front of the home crowd. The people we get at the games the more excited we get,” Johnson said.

Only four home games may bring the people in, but the fact that Johnson is a leading rusher in the NCAA should also be a big factor in attracting the crowds.

“I think he’s (Johnson) great,” Huskie fan Geoff Evert said. “He’s one of the most exciting players to watch in college football,” he said.

Avid Huskie fan Scott Lane said it’s great to watch LeShon run the ball.

“When he gets the ball you never know what he’s going to do next,” Lane said.

Johnson should be a shoe-in for an NFL draft pick, and if he puts up big numbers against Iowa State, Iowa, Indiana, and Mississippi, the bulk of the Huskies’ schedule, scouts are sure to become more interested.

The talented “Cowboy” has many characteristics he believes separate him from other runners.

“If I were a scout looking at myself I’d see a good kid with good size and good acceleration,” Johnson said.

“When I decided I was going to play football, I wanted to find something to make me different. Acceleration is something that I worked on throughout high school and junior college and it makes me stand out,” Johnson said.

“He’s got great acceleration,” Wild said. “You have to stop him on the line. Once he hits that breaking point you won’t be able to stop him.”

Johnson, who was recently voted a team captain, said he learned how to be a leader at NIU.

“I learned a lot from the coaches at NIU,” Johnson said. “Coach Sadler knows what to do to win, and he makes you want to work harder,” he said.

“Somebody has to take charge,” Johnson said, ” and I feel that I’m the one that can tell them what to do to win.”