The return of No. 3: Quarterback brings high expectations for Utah's offense

Brian Johnson is back.

After a lengthy recovery from a knee injury, No. 3 will once again be Utah's starting quarterback.

"I'm excited. It's been a long journey," Johnson said. "I've still got a long ways to go, but I'm happy with the progress that's been made."

Johnson, who led the Mountain West Conference and ranked fourth nationally in total offense as a sophomore, hasn't played in a game since getting hurt late in a loss to New Mexico at Rice-Eccles Stadium on Nov. 12, 2005.

When Johnson takes the field for the Utes' season-opener at Oregon State on Thursday, it'll be 656 days since he's taken a snap.

"I'm excited to get out there. I can't wait until it happens," Johnson said. "Once the first snap happens, everything else is out. It's all history from there."

The road to recovery, though, featured valleys and peaks that Johnson may never forget.

Last year's season-opener at the Rose Bowl was especially tough on Johnson. The excitement surrounding the game and the atmosphere created a buzz that drew a lot of Ute fans, including Johnson's family and friends.

"That was probably the low point," he said. "I'm glad its over with right now. I'm just looking forward to Aug. 30."

The latter will likely be the ultimate high point in Johnson's journey. For now, however, he lists taking his knee brace off in spring ball as the highlight.

"I started out a little rusty in spring ball for the first four or five practices," Johnson said. "But as we continued to keep playing through spring ball, I started to get my confidence and my timing back. I started to get a better feel for things and things started to work out."

So much so, that Johnson was quickly tabbed as the starter again and was elected a team captain.

"I'm excited to get up, run around and do my thing in the first game," he said. "I'm looking forward to it. I can't wait."

When Utah coach Kyle Whittingham was asked what was more significant — his third season at the helm or Johnson's return — the response was swift and decisive.

"Brian Johnson coming back. Coaching is overrated. It's all players. It's all about the players," said Whittingham, who joked he just doesn't want to mess things up. "I think Brian Johnson coming back is huge for this team."

Topping the list of reasons, he said, is Johnson's leadership role. The quarterback is the only underclassman chosen to be a captain. He joined senior safety Steve Tate as Utah's representatives at the MWC's preseason media gathering over the summer.

In addition, Johnson's No. 3 adorns the Ute jerseys being sold in stores. The 20-year-old Texan has become the face of Utah football.

Expectations are high.