Utah quarterback Brian Johnson is headed back to Texas this week. Thursday's game at TCU's Amon G. Carter Stadium is only about four hours or so away from Baytown, where he excelled at Robert E. Lee High School just two years ago.
"It's always good to go home and play in front of your family, friends and stuff," Johnson said. "But this is a huge game for us. If we want to win the conference, we have to win this game."
In other words, despite the presence of 30 or more familiar faces (including immediate family) from his hometown, Johnson considers this a business trip.
"There are very few players that are as easy to keep focused as Brian Johnson. He's a football junkie," said Utah coach Kyle Whittingham. "He studies film, and he's around football 24/7. He's a student of the game."
And coming off, most any professor would agree, an "A" performance in Saturday's 31-7 victory over Utah State. Johnson set a school record for completion percentage in a game by connecting on 18-of-21 throws for 268 yards and two touchdowns. He also rushed for a career-high 70 yards and a score in his second collegiate start.
"If you make the right reads and stuff and the O-line gives you great protection, you should be 18-for-21," Johnson said. "That's something you should demand of yourself — to have a high completion percentage and be efficient with the football."
Johnson's 224.34 pass efficiency rating against USU was the 10th best in Utah history.
"Brian Johnson had an excellent outing against Utah State," Whittingham said. "He was off the charts in his completion percentage and played as good a football game as you could hope for from a player at his stage of development."
Johnson acknowledged there's something to the old adage of significantly improving between first and second games.
"I think we showed improvement," he said. "But we still have a lot to get better."
OTHER HOMECOMINGS: Johnson isn't the only Texan on the Utah roster. Defensive back Brice McCain (Terrell), offensive lineman Robert Conley (La Marque) and wide receiver Jordan Johnson (Mesquite) are also slated to make collegiate homecomings for the first time.
"It's really good to go back home—see my family and play in Texas," said McCain, whose hometown is about one hour, 20 minutes away from TCU. "I'm looking forward to going back."
McCain, a true freshman, is glad he didn't redshirt. He made two tackles in his debut against the Aggies.
"I'm so glad I'm not," McCain said. "I made up my mind early that I needed to work hard to be on the field right now."
EXTRA POINTS: The Utes have won their last 11 games away from Rice-Eccles Stadium. Their last loss, ironically, came in the Lone Star State—a 28-26 setback at Texas A&M in 2003 . . . Two other streaks are also on the line Thursday. Utah has won 10 consecutive MWC games and nine straight games on national television . . . Sophomore defensive end Alex Puccinelli is scheduled to make his first career start at TCU.
MWC opener
Utah (2-0) at TCU (1-1)
Thursday, 5:30 p.m. (MT)
TV: ESPN
Radio: 700AM
E-mail: dirk@desnews.com