Johnson, Bryant Receive UIF Honors for Week Four
Published on April 18, 2007 under United Indoor Football Association (UIF)
Evansville BlueCats News Release
EVANSVILLE, IN: For the second week in a row, the Evansville BlueCats are pleased to announce that defensive back/kick returner Richard Johnson has been named Special Teams Player of the Week by the league. Last week against the Rock River Raptors, Johnson returned his second kickoff in as many weeks for a touchdown. For the game, he had 5 kick returns for 97 yards and a touchdown on his way to Special Teams Player of the Week honors for Week 4. He also made 4.5 tackles and broke up a pass as one of the BlueCats starting defensive backs.
Two weeks ago against the Lexington Horsemen, Johnson returned two kickoffs for 62 yards, including a 57-yard kickoff return for a touchdown on his way to being named Special Teams Player of the Week for Week 3. That 57-yard kick return is a new Evansville BlueCats team record. So far this season, Richard Johnson has been returning kickoffs with amazing efficiency. He's scored 2 kickoff return touchdowns in just 7 return attempts. The BlueCats currently lead the league with 5 kick return touchdowns through the first 4 weeks of the season. Two by Johnson, and two by teammates Odest Shannon and one by Deion Holts.
Richard Johnson played college football at Virginia Tech and was a member of Virginia Tech's 2004 ACC Championship team that played in the Sugar Bowl vs. Auburn. He played wide receiver and returned punts and kicks for the Hokies during his 4-year career. As a sophomore in 2001, he returned a kickoff 91 yards for his first collegiate touchdown on the road against Miami. He led the team in kick return yards as a freshman and sophomore, and finished his sophomore season 4th on the team with 754 all-purpose yards, behind only future NFL players Kevin Jones, Lee Suggs, and Bryan Randall. Last season, Johnson played indoor football in another league.
Also being recognized by the league this week is BlueCats defensive back AJ Bryant. The UIF has named Bryant the UIF Defensive Player of the Week "Honorable Mention" for his performance last week against the Raptors. AJ led the team with 6.5 tackles, including a tackle for loss and a pass break up. He also scored a touchdown for the BlueCats offensive unit when he hauled in an 11-yard pass from quarterback Haven Mosley in the third quarter.
Other players receiving league awards for Week 4 were Sioux Falls quarterback Terrance Bryant (Offensive Player of the Week) and Lexington linebacker Eric Norris (Defensive Player of the Week).
Richard Johnson and AJ Bryant were scouted and placed by the coaches and staff of the indoor football scouting bureau.
This Saturday join Richard Johnson, AJ Bryant, and the rest of the Evansville BlueCats as they welcome the Sioux City Bandits to Roberts Stadium. Kickoff is scheduled for 7:05pm. Tickets can be purchased at Ticketmaster.com or at the Roberts Stadium box office. For more information on the Evansville BlueCats, please visit the website at www.evansvillebluecats.com.
United Indoor Football Association Stories from April 18, 2007
- Extreme re-signs Johnson, Rudicil - Bloomington Extreme
- Week Five Preview: Omaha Beef - Colorado Crush
- Johnson, Bryant Receive UIF Honors for Week Four - Evansville BlueCats
- Bryant Named UIF Players of the Week - Sioux Falls Storm
- UIF names Players of the Week - UIF
- Burk ready to return for the Extreme - Bloomington Extreme
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