Who is the best running back in South Dakota history?

A question that Point After wanted to figure out for each state and if you know the answer to this question and you are reading this on some sort of electronic device, I am truly am impressed.

We have to go back all the way to the 1930's and 1940's for their answer as Point After pegged Clarence "Pug" Manders as the best running back from South Dakota.

First of all, I don't know if we should call him Pug, Mr. Pug, Clarence, Mr. Manders or CPM, but none the less the man had put up some solid numbers in the NFL.

The Drake graduate totaled 2,727 yards rushing and 35 touchdowns in 9 NFL seasons.

During Manders time in the NFL, he played for three different teams. He was a three-time Pro Bowl selection and led the league with 486 rushing yards in 1941.

He is the younger brother of Jack Manders, who was a member of the Chicago Bears from 1933 to 1940.

There is also another South Dakota connection with whom they pegged as Minnesota's best running back as they with Lester Josephson.

After growing up in Minnesota, Les went to the then Augustana College now Augustana University in Sioux Falls, SD and went on to play in the NFL for 11 seasons.

Josephson tallied 3,407 total rushing yards and 17 touchdowns. He made the Pro Bowl in 1967, and after his retirement he worked as an actor and football film consultant.

Iowa's best running back was former Dallas Cowboys running back Don Perkins.

 

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