ST. LOUIS — South Dakota State redshirt freshmen Logan Backhaus and Cade Johnson were named Tuesday to the 22-member 2017 Missouri Valley Football Conference All-Newcomer Team.
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Selections were determined by a vote among the league's coaches, sports information directors and a media panel.
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A linebacker from Spirit Lake, Iowa, Backhaus started nine games during the regular season and ranked seventh on the team with 39 total tackles, including four tackles for loss and a sack. He also contributed two interceptions, broke up two passes and forced a fumble.
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Johnson, a native of Papillion, Nebraska, finished the regular season as the league's top kick returner with an average of 24.9 yards on 25 attempts, including a 95-yard return for touchdown versus Drake. A two-time MVFC Newcomer of the Week, Johnson also saw extensive action at wide receiver, ranking third on the squad with 21 receptions for 314 yards and two touchdowns.
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South Dakota State finished the regular season with a 9-2 overall record and tied for second in the MVFC with a 6-2 mark. The Jackrabbits are seeded fifth in the FCS playoffs and will host Northern Iowa in second-round action Dec. 2 at Dana J. Dykhouse Stadium.
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The MVFC All-Academic Team will be announced Wednesday.
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