Coach Randy Edsall congratulates running back Ty Johnson on his touchdown during the Terps’ 50-21 win over Richmond at Byrd Stadium on Sept. 5, 2015.

Running back Ty Johnson’s first career touchdown came with little fanfare.

With less than seven minutes remaining in the Terrapins football team’s shellacking of Richmond on Saturday, the freshman corralled a pitch from backup quarterback Caleb Rowe and jetted into the right side of the end zone unscathed.

There was no grand celebration. Much of the announced crowd of 38,117 had dispersed from Byrd Stadium by the time Johnson gave the Terps a 50-14 lead with 6:26 left in the fourth quarter. Johnson hugged some offensive lineman and jogged back to the sideline.

But in the postgame press conference, coach Randy Edsall didn’t try to hide his smile when talking about Johnson’s performance. The third-string running back rushed for 83 yards on 10 carries and the touchdown.

The Cumberland native averaged 17.4 yards per carry as a junior in high school, but Fort Hill is hardly known for churning out Division I commits. He is something of an anomaly.

“It’s amazing for a guy from Fort Hill,” Edsall said. “Those guys out there, that football program they have at Fort Hill. It’s unbelievable. That kid just works.”

Johnson didn’t enter the game until there was less than nine minutes left in regulation, and the Terps boasted a 43-14 lead. He took his first career carry seven yards and wound up accounting for all 40 yards on the touchdown drive.

For Edsall, Johnson’s performance was particularly satisfying. The coach praised his performance multiple times during fall camp, and Edsall said he “loved that kid” after the 50-21 season-opening win. 

Johnson’s 2013 highlight video is filled with eye-popping runs and nifty interceptions. He recorded 4,851 all-purpose yards and 65 touchdowns in his high school career and led Fort Hill to back-to-back state championships.

But due to the lack of talent he competed against, Johnson was lightly recruited. Edsall decided to take a chance on him.

While Johnson’s career is young and he’s looking up at running backs Brandon Ross and Wes Brown on the depth chart, he started off his college career on a high note.

“I’m glad to see him doing what he’s doing,” Edsall said. “Some people questioned why we took him.”