Throwback Thursday: Gartrell “The Predator” Johnson was a beast for Rams

Gartrell Johnson was a beastly back for the Colorado State Rams.

His monicker “The Predator” was earned first and foremost due to those flowing dreadlocks, big and bushy as they were. But it stuck due to his powerful, determined and deadly running style.

Even Arnold was scared!

Gartrell Johnson, the Predator. https://t.co/PuD85I0HbC

— Rich Kurtzman (@RichKurtzman) August 13, 2015

At 6-foot and 225 pounds, Gartrell made any Rams opposing defender shake in their boots when he charged towards them. He was a classic downhill style running back, flowing to the hole and hitting it hard. Most of the time, he hit opponents hard, too.

But what made him stand apart was the second gear and his ability to leave defenders in his dust.

2008 was “The Predator’s” best year, as he led the Rams to an appearance and victory in the New Mexico Bowl. Along the way, Johnson was named first-team All-Mountain West, with 1,476 yards and 12 touchdowns. That was on a 5.3 yards per carry average.

Notably, he averaged the same stellar mark — 5.3 yards per carry — in his junior season. That year, “The Predator” ran for 957 yards and six scores. All told, he racked up 2,776 yards and 24 touchdowns for Colorado State.

Wildly, Johnson could’ve been run even more, instead, then-head coach Steve Fairchild tried to balance the offense more than was prudent. Gartrell was the go-to guy when CSU needed the tough yards on the ground, a workhorse who butted would-be tacklers out of the way on his way to the end zone. But if they would’ve fed him the rock more, who knows?

Of course, his legend and lore live with the 2008 New Mexico Bowl and Johnson’s complete domination of the game. He gained 285 yards rushing – a Colorado State bowl record – and racked up 90 yards of receiving, too. Gartrell’s 375 combined yards was an NCAA bowl record for most yards in a game.

The most sensational of all the plays during that great game for Gartrell was this game-clinching touchdown run.

Colorado State’s workhorse ran to the left, found an opening in the line and took off, outside to the sideline and then turned on the jets. Whatever jets he possessed. Johnson outran every Houston defender and took the ball 77 yards to…the…house!

It put the Rams up 40-28 with under two minutes to play; the final nail in the coffin and the first bowl win since 2001 and the New Orleans Bowl under Sonny Lubick.

Fast forward to 8:30 to see the full run, or watch the entire bowl win in 10 minutes here!

Following his incredible New Mexico Bowl performance, Johnson was selected in the fourth round by the San Diego Chargers in 2009. He then signed with the New York Giants, gaining 43 yards in 2009. In 2010, the Atlanta Falcons signed him and Johnson rushed for 36 yards.

But, forever will “The Predator” be known for his legendary 2008 New Mexico Bowl performance.