Columbia's Sophomore on the Spot

Columbia sophomore Solomon Johnson stood hobbling on his right leg in the visitors' locker room, getting his sore left knee iced down minutes after his squad had been steamrolled by Harvard, 41-7, Saturday at The Stadium.

He stood in his stained baby blue uniform, wincing a bit from the pain, impatiently answering the questions fired at him by inquiring reporters.

Although he is new to Columbia varsity football, he answered the questions like a pro. When asked when the Lions will win, he replied, "Soon." When asked if the team is encouraged, he said it was.

Johnson is a speedy tailback from East Orange, N.J., who is expected to deliver the losing Lions to a victory or two this season and an Ivy Championship somewhere down the line.

He has the credentials. He was a three-time MVP in football at Montclair Kimberly Academy in New Jersey. He earned 10 letters in football, basketball and lacrosse and he's in the Essex County Hall of Fame. Nicknamed "Solo," he led "Soloffense"--otherwise known as the Columbia freshman team--to an undefeated (6-0) season last year. The diminutive Johnson (5-ft., 8-in., 170-lbs.) rushed for 836 yards and scored 12 of the team's 16 touchdowns.

Justification

Saturday, he justified the high expectations. In his first varsity action, Johnson slashed and dashed his way for 90 yards on 10 carries against one of the league's top rundefenses, including a nifty 61-yard run down the left sideline to set up the squad's first score against Harvard in three years.

"Some people are expecting me to do a lot of things," Johnson says. "I'm just out there doing the best I can."

Johnson is a one-game participant of The Streak at Columbia. The squad has lost 42 consecutive contests, but Johnson sees it all through Columbia-blue shaded eyes. Celtics radio announcer Johnny Most doesn't see Larry Bird throw an elbow; Johnson doesn't count the losses piled up before his arrival.

"As far as I'm concerned, we're not coming off a streak," Johnson said. "We're looking at this just like a regular season. We're a new team."

While some of his teammates--including seniors who have been around for 21 of the losses--appear to accept graciously defeat after defeat, Johnson is an upstart, a disciple of positive thinking. He's the real thing for a school used to the same old thing.

"We came in expecting to win, and we did well against them at times," Johnson said. "When I went out for the pre-game, I was holding on kicks, and just doing that got me ready to play my first game. Harvard came out. They looked like they were ready to play. We were psyched to play, so I was ready to get on with it."

It was evident to many, especially after Harvard scored on its first three possessions, that the Lions would be overmatched yet again. Evident to many, but not to Johnson.

"Some people thought it was over early," Johnson said. "I didn't think it was over until late in the fourth quarter."

Bum Knee

By that time, the Crimson was cruising to its 34-point victory, and Johnson--Columbia's only legitimate offensive threat--was limping around on a gimpy knee.

"After I got hurt, I was a different player," said Johnson, who injured his knee while trying to block a Crimson lineman in the third quarter. "I was more worried about my knee than about running or blocking. I should be back by Wednesday. We should be back next week against Lafayette."

"This is the starting point for us. I'm looking forward to sharing or winning the Ivy title this year. I came here to win some games," he said.