StatTiger 3,188 Posted June 25, 2019 Share Posted June 25, 2019 Auburn's running game progressively became worse, averaging only 80.5 yards per game from 1997-1999 and 2.4 yards per attempt. Johnson would become a savior for Auburn's running game woes, recording a school record of ten 100-yard rushing performances during the 2000 season. His efforts on the field was a primary reason the Tigers won the SEC-West, making it to the SEC Championship game. From 1997-1999 Auburn's running backs combined for an average of 9.7 impact plays (15+ yards) per season. Rudi Johnson compiled 21 such plays during his one season on the Plains. With Johnson, there was a return of a "physical edge" to the football team, something the Tigers lacked on offense during the three seasons before he arrived. He lacked speed, but his low center of gravity and physical build made him a difficult target to bring down. Rudi Johnson made the most of his one season at Auburn and was named All-SEC during the 2000 season. He was later named the SEC Offensive Player of the Year and finished #10 in the Heisman vote. His success at the collegiate level resulted in a 4th round draft selection by the Cincinnati Bengals, where he found great success during his first five seasons as a professional. https://youtu.be/gWKCEFdCLOE 3 5 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gravejd 3,270 Posted June 25, 2019 Share Posted June 25, 2019 I love me some Rudi! Talk about going into a season with zero expectations and being pleasantly surprised. We may not have won the national title with Rudi but his instant impact to our team would rank right up there with Cam for instant impact JUCO players. Thanks for the link....i'll plan on watching later this evening. 2 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tigerpro2a 5,650 Posted June 25, 2019 Share Posted June 25, 2019 4 hours ago, gravejd said: I love me some Rudi! Talk about going into a season with zero expectations and being pleasantly surprised. We may not have won the national title with Rudi but his instant impact to our team would rank right up there with Cam for instant impact JUCO players. Thanks for the link....i'll plan on watching later this evening. I'll never forget it...after years of agonizing pain with no run game from Tator....Here comes Rudi...very pleasant... 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kevon67 2,368 Posted June 26, 2019 Share Posted June 26, 2019 Rudi was a breath of fresh air...........really knew how to hold on to the ball........nearly impossible to strip as many tried. 3 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tigerbelle 5,299 Posted June 26, 2019 Share Posted June 26, 2019 I loved Rudi so much that I l named my golden retriever after him.....and it wasn't a slight. That dog was a cherished member of our family and gave us a lot of joy. He could do a little cheer thing and every time he heard "TOUCH DOWN AUBURN" during the games he'd get up and do his little routine. It was priceless. Rudi Johnson was a gift to Auburn football at a time when we needed somebody to step up. He was the man. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alexava 6,973 Posted June 27, 2019 Share Posted June 27, 2019 As much as I liked Rudi and still do he doesn’t come up much in top ten discussion. He was much much much needed when he came through 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kevon67 2,368 Posted June 28, 2019 Share Posted June 28, 2019 13 hours ago, alexava said: As much as I liked Rudi and still do he doesn’t come up much in top ten discussion. He was much much much needed when he came through Yeppers and Rudi would have started at any school in the country........tells you alot about the history of AU running backs..............Rudi made me believe it was possible to rush for 100 yards again after a seriously long drought. 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alexava 6,973 Posted June 28, 2019 Share Posted June 28, 2019 2 minutes ago, kevon67 said: Yeppers and Rudi would have started at any school in the country........tells you alot about the history of AU running backs..............Rudi made me believe it was possible to rush for 100 yards again after a seriously long drought. Pretty strong NFL career too. 1 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
passthebiscuits 6,865 Posted June 28, 2019 Share Posted June 28, 2019 (edited) One of the best calls ever: ”Rudi Johnson, Rudi Johnson. Rudi Johnson! RUDY JOHNSON!” Edited June 28, 2019 by passthebiscuits 2 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ellitor 33,111 Posted June 28, 2019 Share Posted June 28, 2019 11 minutes ago, passthebiscuits said: One of the best calls ever: ”Rudi Johnson, Rudi Johnson! RUDY JOHNSON!” I love it. It was Mike Torico but I know some like Jim Fyffe's call on it better. The Rudy Johnson call is the 1st call on Fyffe's video. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CCTAU 3,336 Posted June 28, 2019 Share Posted June 28, 2019 (edited) 1 hour ago, passthebiscuits said: One of the best calls ever: ”Rudi Johnson, Rudi Johnson! RUDY JOHNSON!” Was that from the 172 yard run he put on Wyoming? Why yes it was. When I saw Pettway run, I saw flashbacks of Rudi Johnson. If only... Edited June 28, 2019 by CCTAU 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cole256 17,084 Posted June 28, 2019 Share Posted June 28, 2019 Rudi's girl dug me.....he didn't appreciate it.....she came over to the crib.....threats were made....I may or may not have missed a bunch of classes........fear could've been a reason 1 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kevon67 2,368 Posted June 29, 2019 Share Posted June 29, 2019 7 hours ago, ellitor said: I love it. It was Mike Torico but I know some like Jim Fyffe's call on it better. The Rudy Johnson call is the 1st call on Fyffe's video. Not possible to watch just one😂............Calvin Jackson call one of my all-time favorite JF calls.......only home game I missed that season. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kevon67 2,368 Posted June 30, 2019 Share Posted June 30, 2019 On 6/28/2019 at 3:42 PM, cole256 said: Rudi's girl dug me.....he didn't appreciate it.....she came over to the crib.....threats were made....I may or may not have missed a bunch of classes........fear could've been a reason I thought that was you Marco😁 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
McLoofus 35,182 Posted July 1, 2019 Share Posted July 1, 2019 On 6/28/2019 at 4:42 PM, cole256 said: Rudi's girl dug me.....he didn't appreciate it.....she came over to the crib.....threats were made....I may or may not have missed a bunch of classes........fear could've been a reason No shame in that, playa. Also, we understand if your handle used to be @carl334. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RunInRed 16,449 Posted July 1, 2019 Share Posted July 1, 2019 The infamous TD run against Wyoming ... first game I ever attended in the student section ... my freshman year at AU. A Thursday night game. Those were the days! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Create an account or sign in to comment
You need to be a member in order to leave a comment
Create an account
Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!
Register a new accountSign in
Already have an account? Sign in here.
Sign In Now