Boise State sprinkled tailback Ian Johnson into the offense Saturday afternoon at Bronco Stadium as he returned from a bruised kidney.
Johnson, who missed two games, carried 12 times for 33 yards and two TDs. His longest run covered 9 yards. He also had a 9-yard reception.
The Broncos didn't run much in their 42-7 victory against San Jose State.
"This was kind of the test to see if the doctors were right in letting me back," Johnson said. "I felt amazing, no pain, no nothing. I was antsy to get more work in."
It was Johnson's least-productive game since gaining 35 yards on two carries and a reception in the 2005 MPC Computers Bowl, the last game of his freshman season.
Johnson led the team in carries Saturday. Freshman Jeremy Avery had seven carries for 56 yards.
In all, BSU rushed 31 times for 144 yards and three touchdowns. It was the team's fewest rushing attempts this season.
"I thought San Jose played well on defense in the run department," coach Chris Petersen said. "We weren't running the ball as well as we like to. A lot of it goes back to their middle linebacker and how they keep him freed up."
Childs, Dobbs injured
Receiver Jeremy Childs and linebacker Dallas Dobbs — both starters — were injured.
Childs was woozy after a big hit, Petersen said, and should play next week at Utah State. Childs had four catches for 28 yards, all in the first half, and remains on pace to break the school record for catches in a season. He has 60.
Dobbs sustained a sprained ankle in the second quarter and did not return. He was on crutches on the sideline late in the game. He had four tackles.
David Shields, who was the starter at the beginning of the season, replaced Dobbs at weak-side linebacker and made six tackles. Dobbs also is the long snapper. Walk-on Jeff Lowe handled those duties.
Tharp talks with his feet
Quarterback Taylor Tharp, who has exchanged good-natured ribbing with Petersen about each other's running ability, ran for a season-long 11 yards on the first play.
Tharp had said that Petersen could run for 10 yards behind the Broncos' offensive line. Petersen countered by saying that he could, but Tharp had not — his previous long was 9 yards.
"Take that, Coach Pete," Tharp said.
Said Petersen: "I gotta see it on tape to believe it."
Cavender: two numbers
Senior guard Pete Cavender wore No. 92 to start the game. He has been lining up at tight end and fullback in some offensive packages and he needed to check in with the referees in order to go out for a pass because No. 64 is an ineligible number.
Cavender, the Broncos' sixth offensive lineman, switched back to No. 64 in the second half so he could enter the game as an offensive lineman. He played center.
QUICK HITS
Boise State senior Josh Bean began practicing at defensive end the week of the Louisiana Tech game. He had played linebacker for nearly five seasons. He will play in passing situations at end. ... BSU committed 10 penalties, while San Jose State had none.
The Idaho Statesman is pleased to offer this opportunity to share information and observations about what's in the news. Some comments may be reprinted elsewhere in the site or in the newspaper. We encourage lively, open debate but ask that you remain on topic. Comments that are profane, personal attacks or otherwise inappropriate are subject to removal.
@Nyx.CommentBody@