Kaleb Johnson astonishes Iowa fans with breathtaking performance

IOWA CITY, Ia. — Although the Iowa running back missed the previous three games with a high ankle sprain, he returned to the gridiron against Purdue like he never left.

Kaleb Johnson wowed the Homecoming crowd of 69,250 at Kinnick Stadium with his 65-yard touchdown run on the Hawkeyes’ first drive of the game. The way he bursted through the gaping hole, and outran the Purdue defenders to the endzone, it became obvious his ankle was back at full strength.

“I was thinking in my head I’m gone, I already knew I was going to score,” Johnson said.

The Ohio native carried the ball 17 times for a season-high, 134 yards, including 110 in the first half. Not to mention Johnson averaged a jaw-dropping, 7.9 yards per carry. Which shouldn’t come as a surprise, considering Johnson’s six-foot, 222-pound frame makes him a load for would-be tacklers to bring down.

Johnson was proud of his performance, and wants to build on the momentum he generated. He was so motivated for his return to the lineup that he barely showed any rust. No fumbles, no missed blocks and Johnson made the most out of his touches. There’s something about the Boilermakers that bring out the best in Johnson. After all, he rushed for 200 yards against Purdue last season.

“I feel like against them it’s just personal to me because I got a lot of people that I know on that team,” he said.

Despite his success on the ground, Johnson isn’t taking anything for granted. He knows what it’s like to be on the sidelines and unable to help his team. Johnson had to surround himself with positive resources to keep him encouraged. He found that with his family and teammates. Without them, especially his grandfather, who called him everyday during his rehabilitation process, Johnson would’ve lost hope.

“I was kind of hurting inside, but at the same time I was cheering on LeShon Williams and our other running backs because they stood behind me,” the sophomore said. “I just love to see them progressing with me too.”

Coach Kirk Ferentz admires Johnson’s recovery. It’s no mystery Iowa’s backfield has been plagued by the injury bug this fall. So having Johnson back healthy in the lineup brings some much-needed depth to the position.

“It’s unfortunately part of the game,” Ferentz said. “He came back a little quicker than maybe I anticipated based on what I heard or was hearing a couple weeks ago, but it’s been steady.”

Johnson emphasized during the post game press conference that his ankle is back fully healed. He tweaked it during fall camp, and it has been a lingering issue ever since. Now that he’s feeling 100 percent, Johnson is willing to do whatever it takes to help a struggling offense succeed.

He has no problem being a workhorse, or a change of pace rusher, just as long as he executes when his number is called. And Johnson feels he’s a running back that gets stronger with every carry. Johnson understands that the Hawkeyes are going to need his talents as they approach the meat grinder on their schedule.

“I just love being back, it just gives me a chance to do what I do.”