The Associated Press

MOBILE, Ala. - Larry Johnson and Artose Pinner entered their senior seasons as two of college football's best running backs, but they had little name recognition. Now they have the stats to match the talent. Penn State's Johnson and Kentucky's Pinner lead the North running backs for Saturday's Senior Bowl, hoping to raise their profiles even more before the NFL draft.

"I know there's a lot of nonbelievers out there who think it was a fluke," said Pinner, who led the Southeastern Conference in rushing as a senior. "You want to show everyone it was not a fluke and I can play against the best in the country."

Pinner's 1,414 yards were 723 more than he managed his first three years with the Wildcats. He spent his first two seasons at fullback.

Johnson's final season was even better. He became just the ninth Division I-A player to gain 2,000 yards in a season, finished third in the Heisman Trophy balloting and claimed the Maxwell and Walter Camp player of the year awards.

His career tally entering the season: 866 yards.

Penn State defensive end Michael Haynes, a North teammate, doesn't have much advice to give the South team when it comes to stopping Johnson.

"I really couldn't tell them anything," said Haynes, a first-team AP All-American. "It's one of those things where you keep your eyes up. Do not duck your head, or you'll get a concussion. I've seen it before."