As a cornerback for Murray State, Justus Johnson went two full seasons without an interception.

In his first two games at Southeast Missouri State, he has two. Each one is crucial in maintaining defensive momentum at North Alabama and keeping the game close at New Mexico State.

"I think it was the preparation going into both weeks being locked in, making sure I knew everything," Johnson said. "Coaches made sure I knew the gameplan for sure and they feel like I have the skills so they just put me in position to make plays and I just been making them."

Now with UT Martin coming to town in a high-stakes 2024 home opener, Johnson might be SEMO's top defensive weapon.

"It's been amazing," Tom Matukewicz said. "I'm really happy for him. He's one of the hardest workers out here. He's put a lot of work in, built his craft, and it's showing off.

"I think he's an All-Conference player," Matukewicz said.

Johnson left Murray State after two years with the Races "looking for a home" and was recruited to transfer to SEMO by recruiting coordinator Cade Brister. Johnson, a St. Louis native, was familiar with the former Lindenwood quarterback after playing the Lions in 2022.

"We already had a relationship and he hit me up," Johnson said of Brister's recruiting. "We had a great conversation. They just let me know everything that SEMO was about and that's really why I came."

Like other transfers, Johnson said SEMO, both the football program and community, felt like home to him.

"Just great people everywhere around here," Johnson said. "It just feels like a family, no clicks or anything like that. I just feel at home for sure."

Part of Johnson's preparation is going up against receivers Dorian Anderson and Cam Pedro, who have also been successful so far this season.

"They've been preparing me, giving me great releases, just running great routes to practice, getting me ready each and every week," Johnson said. "Always a challenge with them."

"We go against each other each and almost every day in practice," Anderson said. "We strive to make each other better by giving each other looks that we'll see in games possibly and just going at it."

Saturday's home opener will be Johnson's first game as a member of the home team. He previously played against the Redhawks in 2022, not only Murray State's last game in the Ohio Valley Conference but the 52-22 win for SEMO clinched a 5-0 conference record and the title.

"The crowd was kind of crazy, I'm not gonna lie," Johnson said. "Playing against Ryan Flournoy (current Dallas Cowboy) was an experience for sure. And now seeing what they did and how hard they go, we'll go out there and do the same thing even harder."