​ST. LOUIS – South Dakota State running back Josiah Johnson received recognition on a pair of levels Monday, earning conference and national offensive player of the week awards after helping lead the second-ranked Jackrabbits to a 27-20 victory over Youngstown State on Sept. 19.A sophomore from Milwaukee, Wisconsin, Johnson earned Missouri Valley Football Conference Offensive Player of the Week honors after carrying 30 times for a career-high 238 yards and two touchdowns as SDSU opened league play with a home victory against the ninth-ranked Penguins. He scored on a 4-yard run on the opening drive of the game, then added a 16-yard touchdown run on the Jackrabbits’ first offensive possession of the second half.In addition, Johnson was selected as the Stats Perform FCS National Offensive Player of the Week after becoming the first Jackrabbit to rush for 200-plus yards in a game since 2021. He tallied seven different runs of at least 12 yards versus Youngstown State, including a career-long 39-yarder on SDSU’s first offensive play of the third quarter.Johnson’s performance vaulted him into the top 10 among Football Championship Subdivision running backs in three different categories so far this season. Heading into the Jackrabbits’ Sept. 26 home matchup against Eastern Illinois, Johnson ranks sixth in total rushing yards (428), seventh in rushing yards per game (107.0) and ninth in rushing touchdowns (5).Copyright 2026 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KELOLAND.com.