Johnson rushes for 238 yards, 2 TDs in South Dakota State's 27-20 win over Youngstown State

BROOKINGS, S.D. — Josiah Johnson rushed for 238 yards and two touchdowns, Lofton O'Groske had seven catches for 94 yards, and South Dakota State rolled past Youngstown State 27-20 on Saturday.

The Jackrabbits (3-1, 1-0 Missouri Valley Football Conference), second in the Stats Perform poll, took the lead for good just before halftime. The Penguins (2-2, 0-1), ranked ninth, were held to just one score in the second half.

Johnson and the Jackrabbits struck first with a 4-yard rush in the first quarter, but allowed two straight scoring drives by Youngstown to fall behind 10-7.

Quarterback Chase Mason had an 18-yard score on the ground with under a minute to go in the first half, and Joe Ollman had an interception on the next play to let the Jackrabbits kick a field goal just before time expired.

Johnson tacked on his second touchdown of the night, a 16-yard rush, on South Dakota State's first drive of the second half, and they kicked a field goal on their next drive.

Despite a touchdown and a field goal by the Penguins, they could not rally all the way back.

Beau Brungard was 27-for-35 passing for 292 yards, two touchdowns, and an interception. Lynn Wyche-El hauled in seven catches for 114 yards and a score.

Up next

Youngstown State: hosts South Dakota next Saturday.

South Dakota State: hosts Eastern Illinois next Saturday.