For the second straight week, the Illinois State football team is the home of the Gateway Football Conference Offensive Player of the Week as junior running back Demetrus Johnson claimed the honor after his performance against Truman State.
Johnson, who is in his first season at ISU after transferring from Minnesota, led the Redbird rushing attack with a game-high 132 yards on 15 carries in Illinois States 49-6 win over Truman State. Johnson only played in the first half as the Redbirds entered the intermission with a commanding 42-0 lead.
The product of Homestead High School in Milwaukee, Wis., also scored three touchdowns in the contest becoming the first Redbird running back to rush for three scores since Willie Watts did it against Indiana State on November 10, 2001. Johnson crossed the goal line on carries of one, three and 49 yards.
Johnson is already the second Redbird to claim the honor in the first three weeks of the season. Wide receiver Dwayne Smith claimed the award after his record-setting day at Illinois.
The Redbirds return to action on Saturday, when they travel to Charleston, Ill., to face Eastern Illinois. Kick-off is at 1:37 p.m.
