10-17-2005, 08:04 PM
<span style='font-size:14pt;line-height:100%'>Johnson works hard as punter, cheerleader</span>
By Kareem Copeland
American Sports Writer
The University of Southern Mississippi punter Luke Johnson is not your average punter.
Actually, he's not your average football player.
At 6-foot-0, 240-pounds, the redshirt senior weighs more than all but one Southern Miss running back (Bobby Weakley, 241) and all but one linebacker (Marcus Raines, 240).
Johnson also bucks the stereotype many have of football players by being very comfortable and open with his spirituality.
Johnson has 16 punts on the season for a 44. 8 average. Three of those punts have been downed within the opponents 20-yard line.
He also has 10 touchbacks on 34 kickoffs.
Johnson completed a two-point conversion pass to Pedi Causey in a 52-31 win over the University of Central Florida on Saturday. Johnson lined up as the holder after a touchdown and bobbled the snap before scrambling and finding Causey in the end zone. It was the first two-point attempt by Southern Miss this season.
Johnson spoke to the Hattiesburg American after practice last week.
<a href='http://www.hattiesburgamerican.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20051017/SOUTHERNMISS/510170302/1050' target='_blank'>Use the force, Luke</a>
By Kareem Copeland
American Sports Writer
The University of Southern Mississippi punter Luke Johnson is not your average punter.
Actually, he's not your average football player.
At 6-foot-0, 240-pounds, the redshirt senior weighs more than all but one Southern Miss running back (Bobby Weakley, 241) and all but one linebacker (Marcus Raines, 240).
Johnson also bucks the stereotype many have of football players by being very comfortable and open with his spirituality.
Johnson has 16 punts on the season for a 44. 8 average. Three of those punts have been downed within the opponents 20-yard line.
He also has 10 touchbacks on 34 kickoffs.
Johnson completed a two-point conversion pass to Pedi Causey in a 52-31 win over the University of Central Florida on Saturday. Johnson lined up as the holder after a touchdown and bobbled the snap before scrambling and finding Causey in the end zone. It was the first two-point attempt by Southern Miss this season.
Johnson spoke to the Hattiesburg American after practice last week.
<a href='http://www.hattiesburgamerican.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20051017/SOUTHERNMISS/510170302/1050' target='_blank'>Use the force, Luke</a>