Losing Victor Johnson a big blow for OSU

By Brandon Chatmon, Staff Writer Comments 1
Published: November 13, 2009

STILLWATER — The loss of sophomore safety Victor Johnson comes at a bad time for the Oklahoma State Cowboys.

Baylor’s David Gettis, left, and OSU’s Victor Johnson go up for a pass during OSU’s win over Baylor. Johnson injured his knee this week in practice and will likely miss the rest of the season. Photo by STEVE SISNEY THE OKLAHOMAN

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Johnson suffered an ACL injury in practice on Wednesday and is likely lost for the rest of the football season, according to multiple sources. Johnson was the exact type of versatile safety the Pokes need with Texas Tech visiting Boone Pickens Stadium on Saturday.

Johnson is OSU’s fifth-leading tackler this season with 27 stops and one forced fumble. OSU has not issued an official release regarding Johnson’s injury.

Fellow safeties Markelle Martin, Lucien Antoine and Johnny Thomas will have to step up and fill the void in Johnson’s absence. True freshman Daytawion Lowe might be counted on to play additional snaps against Texas Tech.

The Red Raiders’ offense is built around short passes and forces defenses to be fundamentally sound. Tech can take advantage of any mental mistakes by the Cowboys’ secondary.

"I’ve come to learn against Tech it’s about technique and doing your job only,” senior cornerback Perrish Cox said. "It’s about the little things... just play your position and it will work out perfectly.”

The loss of Johnson hurts the Pokes’ secondary depth and gives them one less option to cover the Red Raiders’ stable of talented receivers.

"We are going to be put in situations where they have their speed guys in space,” senior linebacker Andre Sexton said. "That’s what it’s about, them getting it to their guys and trying to make you miss and get yards. That’s the stuff we’ll have to break on and be aggressive with.”