%20--%3e%3csvg%20version='1.1'%20id='Nebraska_N'%20xmlns='http://www.w3.org/2000/svg'%20xmlns:xlink='http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink'%20x='0px'%20y='0px'%20viewBox='0%200%20163%20152'%20style='enable-background:new%200%200%20163%20152;'%20xml:space='preserve'%3e%3cstyle%20type='text/css'%3e%20.st0{fill:%23FFFFFF;}%20%3c/style%3e%3cg%3e%3cpath%20class='st0'%20d='M159.1,144c-2.3,0-4.1,1.8-4.1,4s1.8,4,4,4s4-1.8,4-4S161.2,144,159.1,144z%20M159,151.2c-1.8,0-3.2-1.4-3.2-3.2%20s1.4-3.2,3.2-3.2c1.7,0,3.2,1.5,3.2,3.2C162.2,149.8,160.8,151.2,159,151.2z'/%3e%3cg%3e%3cpath%20class='st0'%20d='M157.4,145.6h1.4c0.6,0,0.8,0,1.1,0.2c0.4,0.2,0.6,0.6,0.6,1.1c0,0.4-0.1,0.7-0.3,1c-0.1,0.2-0.3,0.2-0.6,0.4%20h-0.1l1.1,2.1h-0.8l-1-2h-0.6v2h-0.8L157.4,145.6L157.4,145.6z%20M158.6,147.7c0,0,0.3,0,0.4,0c0.4-0.1,0.6-0.3,0.6-0.8%20c0-0.3-0.1-0.5-0.4-0.6c-0.1,0-0.1,0-0.6,0h-0.4v1.4L158.6,147.7L158.6,147.7z'/%3e%3c/g%3e%3c/g%3e%3cg%3e%3cpath%20class='st0'%20d='M147,0H93h-5v5v35v5h5h5v24.8L55.2,2.3L53.7,0H51H5H0v5v35v5h5h5v62H5H0v5v35v5h5h54h5v-5v-35v-5h-5h-5V82.2%20l42.8,67.5l1.5,2.3h2.7h46h5v-5v-35v-5h-5h-5V45h5h5v-5V5V0H147z%20M150,5v35v3h-3h-7v66h7h3v3v35v3h-3h-46h-1.6l-0.9-1.4L52,75.3%20V109h7h3v3v35v3h-3H5H2v-3v-35v-3h3h7V43H5H2v-3V5V2h3h46h1.7l0.9,1.4L100,76.7V43h-7h-3v-3V5V2h3h54h3V5z'/%3e%3c/g%3e%3cpath%20class='st0'%20d='M103,87L103,87L51,5H5v35c0,0,7.8,0,10,0c0,3.3,0,68.7,0,72l0,0c-2.2,0-10,0-10,0v35h54v-35c0,0-7.8,0-10,0l0,0%20c0-2.6,0-47,0-47l52,82h46v-35c0,0-7.8,0-10,0l0,0c0-3.3,0-68.7,0-72c2.2,0,10,0,10,0V5H93v35c0,0,7.8,0,10,0%20C103,42.6,103,87,103,87z'/%3e%3c/svg%3e)
Honors & Awards
- 1975 11th Round NFL Draft Pick (Washington Redskins, 277th Overall)
1974 (Senior)
Ardell started in ‘74 and almost singlehandedly beat Oklahoma State by recovering a Cowboy fumble and intercepting an OSU pass, both stopping scoring drives. He also blocked an Oklahoma State field goal attempt. He finished with 32 tackles, eight unassisted, one for a loss of three yards, three fumble recoveries, and interception and four pass break ups.
Johnson helped the Huskers to a dominant defensive season. They finished second in the Big Eight in rushing defense (165.1 ypg), passing defense (98.4 ypg), and scoring defense (11.1 ppg). Nebraska finished the season with a 9-3 record and a Sugar Bowl win against Florida (13-10).
Despite coming to Nebraska without a scholarship, Ardell earned himself a spot in the 1975 NFL Draft, being picked in the 11th round by the Washington Redskins, 277th Overall.
1973 (Junior)
Johnson played as a reserve cornerback his junior year. He finished the season with four tackles, three unassisted, a fumble recovery, two interceptions and a blocked point after attempt. Ardell's blocked point after attempt sealed the win over Kansas, 10-9.
Johnson was a key reason the Huskers pass defense was the best in the Big Eight, allowing just 28.2% of opponents passes to be completed for only 39.9 yards per game. Nebraska ranked second in total defense (245.8 ypg), trailing only Oklahoma. Ardell helped the Huskers to a 9-2-1 record and a 19-3 Cotton Bowl win over Texas.
1972 (Sophomore)
Ardell was an alternate and earned his first varsity letter, tallying seven tackles, four unassisted, a fumble recovery and two passes broken up. The Huskers finished with a 9-2-1 record and a dominating 40-6 win over Notre Dame in the Orange Bowl.
1971 (Freshman)
Ardell started at cornerback for the undefeated 1971 freshman team.
Chillicothe High School (Chillicothe, Mo.)
Ardell was an All-State player at Chillicothe High School, playing under Coach Robert Fairchild. He was majoring in Pre-Law and is the son of Benjamin and Mary Johnson.