OXFORD, Miss. — Dennis Johnson was just looking for a first down.
Instead, he scored a touchdown that got Arkansas turned around and headed toward a 29-24 victory over Ole Miss on Saturday at Vaught-Hemingway Stadium.
Johnson, a junior tailback from Texarkana, broke a draw play on third-and-14 for a 52-yard touchdown run with 5:11 left in the second quarter that provided Arkansas with its first points and some momentum after the Rebels had jumped out to a 17-0 lead.
It was the longest run of Johnson’s career. His previous long was a 46-yarder against Troy in 2009.
“I think that was the turning point in the game,” Arkansas defensive end Jake Bequette said. “For him to step up and make a play like that, that’s what an upperclassman is supposed to do, and he did it.”
Johnson said his first reaction when the draw play came in from Coach Bobby Petrino was to keep the drive alive.
“I’m thinking, ‘Just get the first down,’ ” Johnson said. “Then when I see the way the hole’s opening up, I said, ‘Go get a touchdown.’
“Everybody blocked the way they were supposed to block.”
Arkansas came into the game leading the SEC in passing offense, so it’s understandable why the Rebels put extra defensive backs in the game and weren’t looking for a draw.
“It was a good call by them, and we didn’t execute,” Ole Miss defensive coordinator Tyrone Nix said.
Johnson was dropped for a 1-yard loss on his first carry - by Ole Miss’ Justin Stewart and Serderius Bryant - but finished with a career-high 160 yards on 15 attempts for a 10.7-yard average. He also had two receptions for 14 yards.
“He gave everybody energy, starting out with that first touchdown run,” Petrino said. “I thought in the second half he was the fastest guy out there running the ball.”
Petrino added that fullback Kiero Small contributed “some really good blocks” for Johnson and the offensive line got better as the game progressed.
Johnson was averaging 28.8 rushing yards in four games this season before Saturday, but had shown in the past he was capable of shining in SEC play, rushing 18 times for 127 yards against LSU in 2008 and rushing 14 times for 107 yards at Florida in 2009.
“He had a good look in his eye all week,” Arkansas offensive coordinator Garrick McGee said. “He’s struggled with some injuries, but when Dennis has that look in his eye,and when the pressure’s on, he’s one of our experienced players and we expect a lot out of them.”
Johnson missed the first two games this season with a hamstring injury after missing the final 11 games in 2010 and redshirting because of a bowel injury suffered while returning a kickoff against Louisiana-Monroe.
“It feels good stepping up and being the play maker that they want me to be,” Johnson said. “I just thought about the game when I was hurt. I’d think about coming back.”
The Razorbacks are glad to have Johnson back.
“Dennis is a beast, man,” Bequette said. “There’s no other way to put it.
“He makes the first guy miss and the second guy feel it. For him to have such a big game really gave us a lift.”
Johnson scored his first rushing touchdown since last season’s opener against Tennessee Tech and only the fourth of his college career. He was set to get a second rushing touchdown against the Rebels, but fumbled at the Ole Miss 1 after a 4-yard gain late in the third quarter.
Smith forced the fumble and Charles Sawyer recovered for the Rebels.
“The dude just got under me and hit the ball,” Johnson said.
Johnson had four consecutive carries for 44 yards on Arkansas’ next series to set up a Zach Hocker field goal that pushed the Razorbacks’ lead to 29-17.
Petrino said he wanted to show Johnson he hadn’t lost confidence in him after the fumble.
“I’m just glad he showed that he was confident in me getting the ball,” Johnson said. “And I’m glad I made plays.”
Johnson had his most carries in a game since the 2008 regular-season season finale against LSU.
“I’m ready to get a few more carries,” he said with a smile. “A lot more carries, I hope.”
Sports, Pages 34 on 10/23/2011