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Griz coach comments on Johnson's return

Posted: Mar 5, 2013 6:50 PM by Derek Buerkle - KPAX Sports
Updated: Mar 6, 2013 7:47 AM


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MISSOULA - Jordan Johnson is once again a member of the Griz football team.

He didn't take long after his trial ended last Friday to appeal his suspension at Montana, and by Monday morning, the university announced it decided to bring him back.

Johnson can now use the athletic facilities again and practice with the team when spring football begins in two weeks.

Johnson started at quarterback as a sophomore in 2011, and led the Griz to the FCS semifinals. But, head coach Mick Delaney says he'll make him work for his old job.

"Obviously we'll have four quarterbacks in spring football," Delaney said. "You know, we have two of them with Shay Smithwick-Hann and Trent McKinney who have playing experience now from a year ago, which they did not have going into last season."

"Brady Gustafson has had a great year here in the fall on the scout team and now in the winter program. So you know, that just puts Jordan as the fourth guy. And all four of them will compete," Delaney added.

Johnson will also need to shake out the rust after sitting out for an entire season.

But here's how his 2011 stats compare with the combined numbers of Trent McKinney and Shay Smithwick-Hann in 2012. They threw for about the same amount of yards, but Johnson had five more touchdowns, and two fewer interceptions. Smithwick-Hann and McKinney completed a better percentage.

Spring football practice begins March 18.

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