Kobe Johnson came to Colorado State before last season, after rushing for 2,563 yards in four seasons and winning two national championships at North Dakota State, looking for a chance to end his collegiate career at a higher level.

However, his first year at CSU didn’t go the way he envisioned. He ended up redshirting after suffering an injury in the Rams’ fifth game against Utah State.

Now in his final year of eligibility, Johnson is taking advantage of every opportunity he is getting, even though those haven’t been as a running back. He has had a hand in a CSU touchdown in each of the Rams’ past two games.

“I’m just happy to do what I can to help the team win,” Johnson said. “Putting ego aside, putting pride aside, just doing things like that and doing whatever I can to help the team win, whether it is special teams or offense, it means a lot to be put in those situations.”

Johnson went into his first year at CSU as one of the more experienced running backs on the roster. Not only could he run the ball, but he could return kickoffs as well. It was one of those special teams plays that was the highlight of his shortened season.

Against Washington State, he returned a kickoff 98 yards for a touchdown. His best game at running back came in the one in which he was injured, when he ran for 56 yards and a touchdown against the Aggies.

He could have gone elsewhere for his final season, but he chose to stay at CSU. With returning running backs Avery Morrow and Justin Marshall, along with up-and-comers Keegan Holles and Jalen Dupree, he was relegated to a situational role.

But when he has gotten his opportunities, he has taken advantage of them. Even though he admits it has been hard at times.

“It can be hard, but just believing in who I am as a player and a person and then just also having faith in the coaches and the players that are around me,” Johnson said. “Regardless of whether I’m playing or not, I have to do whatever I can to help them, whatever puts team success over my success is what I’m trying to say, at the end of the day.”

Against Air Force two weeks ago, he took a pitch from quarterback Brayden Fowler-Nicolosi and threw a 23-yard touchdown to tight end Vince Brown II. It was the Rams’ first touchdown of the game as they went on to defeat the Falcons at the Academy for the first time since 2002, with a 21-13 final.

Taking over punt return duties from injured receiver/returner Tory Horton, Johnson muffed a punt and was replaced in that role against the Falcons. But against New Mexico last week, he was back to returning punts and credits the confidence the coaches have in him and his preparation for getting the chance he did.

“The coaches just kept their faith in me,” Johnson said. “Coach told me after the muff that he didn’t lose faith in me at the Air Force game, so just kind of keeping that in my mind throughout the week, throughout the preparation, making sure I was doing the things I needed to do to make sure I caught the ball and making sure I was just looking it in, really.

“The coaches having that faith in me and instilling that faith in me really just helped with that.”

With the Rams leading 7-3 against the Lobos in the second quarter, he returned a punt 82 yards for a touchdown. It gave CSU a 14-3 lead, and the Rams went on to win, 17-6.

His contributions haven’t gone unnoticed, and CSU head coach Jay Norvell praised Johnson’s ability to find ways to help the team, despite it not being his familiar role of running the ball.

“I just think it shows the unselfishness of him as a player in finding ways to contribute,” Norvell said. “I just had a lot of confidence when we lost Tory; Kobe is just such a veteran player, he has so much confidence in situations. I told (special teams coach) Tommy (Perry) I just really wanted to see Kobe back there and give him a chance, and it gives him a chance to get his hands on the ball. He’s not getting the chances on offense that he once got. But what a valuable player he is to have.”

As the Rams continue their pursuit of a bowl bid and a Mountain West Conference championship, Johnson will keep doing all he can to contribute, no matter what role that might be. CSU (5-3 overall, 3-0 MWC) plays at Nevada on Saturday night (6 p.m. MT) with a chance to lock up that bowl bid and remain undefeated in conference play.