Missoula, MT (Sports Network) - University of Montana football coach Mick Delaney believes former starting quarterback Jordan Johnson wants to return to the program after he was acquitted on a rape charge last week.

Johnson was acquitted Friday in a case involving a female UM student who accused him of raping her on Feb. 4, 2012 as the two watched a movie at her home.

Johnson was suspended from the football program last season, although he remained enrolled as a student. Delaney told KGVO-AM on Monday that he believes Johnson wants to be involved with the football program again.

He first would have to appear before UM's athletic conduct team. Spring football drills begin on March 18.

Johnson was the starter on the 2011 Grizzlies team that shared the Big Sky Conference title and reached the FCS national semifinals before having its season end with an 11-3 record.

The Sports Network