COACH'S GAME BALL: Rudy Johnson

Head Football Coach Connell Maynor chose junior quarterback Rudy Johnson, a native of San Diego, Calif., as the recipient of this issue's Game Ball.

Johnson, a 6-foot-2-inch transfer from Texas Southern, took over for red-shirt junior Anthony Carrothers, made his first start for Winston- Salem State in the second game of the season and has held the job ever since. Coach Maynor said his new starting quarterback has been an integral part of the team's success.

"He plays quarterback, which is a leadership position," he said.

"He's doing a great job on and off the field of leading this team."

Through seven starts [as of Oct. 26], Johnson has completed 61.3 percent of his passes and has thrown 17 touchdown passes to just two interceptions. He has also rushed for 476 yards and six touchdowns.

"He's making plays in the passing game and the running game," Maynor said.

"He's also a very smart player. Having him at quarterback is like having a coach on the field, and that's big. Each week, he's getting a little bit better, and it's very important to have a quarterback in the leadership role."

Q: When did you start playing football?

A: I started playing when I was five years old and I grew up with it. My dad put a football in my hand when I was one year old, so I don't really know anything else.

Q: What NFL quarterback do you look up to?

A: There are so many, really. I try to imitate Peyton Manning [Broncos], Robert Griffin III [Redskins] and Cam Newton [Panthers]. I look up to any NFL quarterback because they're the best of the best.

Q: What's your favorite part about playing football?

A: The team camaraderie. Everybody is your brother. It's like a family out here. Nobody can get it done by themselves, and if you really understand that, then you really understand how to work as a team and help your teammates and brothers out.

Q: Do you or your teammates have any pre-game rituals?

A: We have plenty. We might have too many, actually. We have the Ram jumping jacks, the team breakdown in the end zone, Coach Maynor leading us out on the field and a lot more. We have all kinds of chants and rituals to get us ready for games.

Q: What other hobbies do you have outside of football?

A: I play a little basketball and run a little track, but I mostly try to focus on football. I like playing basketball and running for exercise, though.

Q: What are your plans after WSSU?

A: I'm majoring in mass communications, so I plan on becoming an editor or producer in film for movies or documentaries.