yards receiving and a score at Indianapolis. Riddick had fiv

AUBURN, Ala. -- Kerryon Johnson was a versatile playmaker who returned kicks, ran the Wildcat and caught some passes out of the backfield as a freshman.Now, his role is more defined: Auburns featured tailback. The Tigers sophomore vaulted to the top of the depth chart entering next Saturdays opener with No. 2 Clemson following the dismissal of top returning runner Jovon Robinson during fall camp and two other departures .Johnson insists his approach hasnt changed with the more prominent role.I prepared every day like this for the past 18 years of my life, he said. I come in, I go to work, I leave. Thats just what I do. I feel like we have a lot of people on the team that do that. That was an unfortunate event obviously, but it didnt change my mind-set at all. I just maybe got a couple of more carries. Ive just got to do my job anyway.Johnson ran for a modest 208 yards last season, often taking direct snaps in the Wildcat formation. His 14 catches led Auburns tailbacks, and he averaged 27.6 yards returning kicks.The top three rushers all left for various reasons. Peyton Barber was an early entry into the NFL draft, Roc Thomas transferred to FCS Jacksonville State and Robinson was booted from the team for off-the-field issues.That leaves Johnson as the only tailback who has logged a carry for the Tigers. Auburn brought in onetime Baylor signee Kam Martin, a 177-pound speedster who anchored a 4x200-meter relay team in Port Arthur, Texas that set a national record. The Tigers also signed Malik Miller, Johnsons high school teammate, and have worked H-back Kamryn Pettway at tailback.But Johnson figures to be the workhorse. He missed most of spring practice after offseason shoulder surgery but packed on 16 pounds to report to preseason camp weighing a sturdier 211.Im real confident in him, Tigers receiver Marcus Davis said. Hes very, very talented. Hes a guy whos really intelligent as well. He does things that I never saw other people do and Im real comfortable with him back there and confident in his abilities.Hes just a real smooth, swift guy. I know hes going to make a lot of plays.Johnson certainly did that at Madison Academy near Huntsville, Alabama. He was the states Mr. Football after rushing for 1,659 yards and 25 touchdowns as a senior and leading the Mustangs to three consecutive state titles.Johnson also started as a safety his entire freshman season after making an impression in a 7 on 7 tournament over the summer, taking over the No. 1 tailback spot during the season.Im not stupid. It took about two plays to realize hes special and he needs to be playing, Madison Academy defensive backs coach Mark Berryman said.Johnson remains one of the players Berryman cites as an example to Madison seniors for the kind of attitude that led him to spend time on the scout team even as the teams star player.Johnson displays a self-deprecating sense of humor on social media -- posting on Twitter that he started sophomore year off strong by getting lost trying to find a class on the first day of fall semester.Berryman doesnt believe Johnsons personality will change as a starting tailback in the Southeastern Conference. He also points to Johnsons runs late in the Alabama-Mississippi All-Star Classic to earn MVP honors as evidence that hes a physical runner.He ran the ball between the tackles the last two drives by himself, Berryman said. Theres a lot more to Kerryon Johnson than what you saw last year. Antonio Brown Raiders Jersey . 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The home side created most of the chances but struggled to break down Braunschweigs resilient defence, resulting in the Bundesligas 1,000th scoreless draw. Charles Woodson Womens Jersey . With Parker having a quiet game for once, Nicolas Batum and Boris Diaw provided the scoring as France won its first major basketball title by beating Lithuania 80-66 on Sunday. It was a victory that ended a decade of frustration for Parker and a talented French generation, which lost the final against Spain two years ago and took bronze in 2005. ALLEN PARK, Mich. -- A year after having the NFLs worst running game, the Detroit Lions look as if they potentially have a dynamic duo in the backfield.Ameer Abdullah and Theo Riddick combined for 120 yards receiving and 108 yards rushing in the Lions season-opening 39-35 victory at Indianapolis.Detroit was determined to establish its improved ground game early against the Colts, including on the opening drive that was capped by Riddicks 21-yard touchdown run.And late in the game, the coaches didnt abandon that part of the game plan as they called running plays to set up Riddicks second score on a 13-yard reception.To be a successful team, you got to be able to run the ball in tough situations and you got to be able to count on it, Abdullah said Wednesday.The Lions had a one-dimensional offense last season, relying on Matthew Staffords arm, a receiving group led by Calvin Johnson and Riddicks pass-receiving skills.Detroit averaged an NFL-low 83.4 yards rushing per game, gaining just 3.8 yards per rushing attempt.Abdullah approached that average by himself in Week 1, running for 63 yards on 12 carries. Riddick had seven carries -- matching a career high -- for 45 yards and a score against the Colts.In the run game, we were a little bit better, Lions coach Jim Caldwell said. The real key thing is to make certain that we continue because every week is going to be a little different challenge.The Lions (1-0) will host Tennessee (0-1) on Sunday in their home opener.The Titans began the season with a 25-16 loss at home to the Minnesota Vikings, but did an impressive job of holding Adrian Peterson to just 31 yards rushing on 19 carries, none of which went for double digits in yards.Without Johnson in the lineup for the first time in a decade, the Lions have had to quickly learn how to make the most of what they have on the roster.ddddddddddddAbdullah, a second-round pick last year, and Riddick, a sixth-round selection in 2013, appear to be great options for Stafford when he hands the ball off or tosses a short pass.Both guys are really, really good between the tackles running the ball, and also out in space, Stafford said.Catching the ball out of the backfield, running wide, whatever it is. Weve got two talented guys, two young guys that are going to help us out.Abdullah had career highs with five receptions and 57 yards receiving and a score at Indianapolis. Riddick had five receptions for 63 yards and a score, picking up where he left off last season. He and Danny Woodhead had 80 receptions, the most by a running back in 2015.I said this morning, `They have two backs that are dangerous in both areas and so do we, said Titans coach Mike Mularkey, referring to DeMarco Murray and rookie Derrick Henry. Itll be a good challenge.Detroit also has a third running back, Dwayne Washington, a 6-foot-2, 226-pound rookie, who gives them another option in short-yardage situations. Washington powered into the end zone on a 1-yard run, helping the Lions take an early 14-point lead against the Colts.Hes a really young, talented kid, got a lot of raw potential, Stafford said. Hes got potential. Well see where his role goes, and how he evolves in this offense. Were happy to have him.---Online: AP NFL website: www.pro32.ap.org and AP NFL Twitter feed: www.twitter.com/AP-NFL ' ' '