It’s Friday, July 15th . In 50 days, the South Dakota State University Jackrabbits will make
their way to Iowa City, Iowa to face annual Big Ten West favorite the Iowa Hawkeyes. What are
some things that surround the Jackrabbit football season from all aspects of the game and the
game day atmosphere that makes us all love this team and sport. Let’s dive into 50 questions,
concerns, facts, rants, raves, and fits of outrage, and soon we will be there. These are in no
particular order, so expect the unexpected.

1. What can we expect from some of the new coaching staff? I don’t expect it to be that of a big
   issue, as a lot of the terminology and other jargon is staying the same. I don’t expect anything
   different from Coach Stig’s ability to find difference makers to lead the team.
2. Can we build an FBS winning streak? I know this is a hard issue as if you win too many of
   these games no one wants to schedule you, just ask the homeless furry cows. Let’s take
   advantage of these games that have been scheduled and win them while we can.
3. Thank Tucker Kraft if you see him anywhere. The man has become legitimately Dallas
   Goedert 2.0. I remember him in high school as he graduated the year after me and the coaching
   staff though they could do something similar with him as they did Dallas. Small town kid from
   the Timber Lake Panthers (population 509). Kraft did not play tight end in high school. However
   Tucker embraced the position and has become a staple on All MVFC and All American teams.
   He turned down multiple six figure NIL deals to stay a Jackrabbit for this coming season. Let’s
   enjoy this man’s talents for another year because some of the plays he makes are flat out
   ridiculous. I think of the mid screen touchdown vs UND last year as peak example.
4. The Jacks’ four away games in MVFC play all are against teams that have made the playoffs
   at least one of the last two seasons. These games will be critical to win at least 3 of 4, better yet going undefeated in these as we saw what losing games that you shouldn’t can affect your seeding and make games in December in Brookings instead of Philadelphia and Sacramento.

5. Landon Wolf was granted another year of eligibility and is a team captain now as well. This
   has all the makings of a great story. We were all stoked to see what he would bring to the offense
   last year but we never really saw it, as he went down early on in the Colorado State game. Don’t
   be surprised if Wolf bursts onto the scene for a big year, or even just an impact game or two.
6. Ah yes. Everyone’s favorite position group, the 605 hogs. In the spring season, the Jacks put
   both Garret Greenfield and Mason McCormick on various All American teams but the fall
   seemed like a slight step back, and the 605 hogs need some guys to step up this year, particularly
   at center and the right side of the line. A key to a lot of the Missouri Valley Football Conference
   games are won in the trenches, particularly with how a lot of the defensive lines and linebacker
   groups are very deep for the top half of the league.
7. Let’s not waste much time into this debate. It appears as if the SDBOR has allowed alcohol to
   be sold at games for the time being. Will this actually happen? Will the game atmosphere change
   drastically? Will I hate sitting in the student section even more? Hopefully we can find out in
   less than two months but I can assure you that Jackrabbit athletics can do this really well. We got
   out of a global pandemic better off than we entered.
8. The secondary is the key to the defense’s success. The MVFC is most definitely a run first
   conference for most of the league but there are teams out there that can and will throw the ball.
   We saw how much it hurt the game vs Southern Illinois last season, as Nic Baker went out and
   balled out. The Jacks can’t afford to have the secondary make some games offensive shootouts,
   as I could see Missouri State as a real possibility for one of those type of games.
9. As it pertains to the wide receiver room, there exists an argument that it is one of the deeper
   position groups. There is a lot of talent in that room that doesn’t get the playing time to show
   how good they are. Some of these names are Canyon Bauer, AJ Coons, and Tyler Feldkamp are
   three names I can think of who would be able to play should anything happen.
10. How much of the impact does the chain gang make? Looking at the experience, newcomers,
    as well as the newcomers with experience. I want to see the chain gang make every single
    offensive line and quarterback that we play to be shaking in their boots a little, as well as making
    the linebackers and other guys in run support job easy. The talent levels are ceiling are
    immensely high for this group. I think this is one of the Jacks’ deepest position groups as a
    collective whole and one that got notably better over the offseason.
11. Mark Gronowski. Let’s not discredit Chris Oladokun’s work in 2021, but Mark brought a
    different swagger to the team. How different, if at all, will the play calling for him be? Does he
    still get designed runs? Where is his ceiling? I truly believe at his best he can be a Walter Payton
    award winner with how dominant he looked at stretches, it might be a thing where more
    consistency is needed.
12. The Jackrabbits have had so many good linebackers over the years. Logan Backhaus brought
    a lot of experience, leadership, and skill to the position. Who takes over that role in 2022? I
    would look on Adam Bock. Adam has been on some preseason All-American honors, and has
    brought big plays, high intensity, and now more leadership in the linebacker room will be
    expected.
13. Winning teams don’t commit many penalties. The Jacks need to avoid penalties that will
    keep points of the scoreboard or make a longer field goal kick. Little things are the different
    makers in close games.
14. Who is our unexpected breakout candidate? Someone who gets little attention but by the
    season’s end is vital to the team’s success? I’d like to throw the name of Tyler Feldkamp. I think
    either by special teams, jet sweeps, or his traditional wide receiver spot, he will show some
    glimpses of what we can expect from his career as a whole.
15. If you’re reading this, you need to get to one game at bare minimum at Dana J Dykhouse
    Stadium this fall.
16. Rant. Make the USD game a 6:00 PM kickoff. That’s all.
17. Rave. SDSU as a collective whole now has a new food provider, Sodexo. This carries over
    into concessions as well. I know I personally don’t find myself grabbing something during the
    game very often, it will be interesting to see if this changes any of the offerings during games
    and/or improves the quality of items that are already part of the menu or gameday staples.
18. as the number of this observation is 18, that is also the number of seniors on the roster as of
    this writing. This class has the potential to leave their mark as one of the most prolific on the
    field performers in school history. Their leadership and level of play are expected to lead this to a
    national championship.
19. It’s amazing how when we lost Dallas Goedert and Jake Wieneke that there was gonna be
    hard time for replacing them. The opposite has happened. The skill positions have gotten deeper
    and more talented since their departure. Individual players have their time and place, but depth
    wins championships.
20. Where is the FCS’ stability as a whole after the 2022 season? Everything seems to be
    spinning around right now and no one is sure where it all turns out. I know that I want to remain
    FCS until at least we’ve won a national championship. We’re honestly in a place to where the only thing I want outside of a football championship is a win in the Men’s NCAA Tournament. Here’s to hoping for both in my fifth year of school.

32. This is the 132nd edition of The Pride of the Dakotas marching band. It was notably
    announced that the group will be performing in The Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade (which I
    will willingly watch with my mom this year). The group is over 300 members already, so how
    much of an impact is brought and what are some of their plans. Last year it was so nice to have
    them back… and I’ve heard rumblings about new uniforms.
33. Speaking of new uniforms, what is on the table this year. I’m fairly traditional as it pertains
    to the Jacks’ unis, so I think all of our sets look really clean regardless. I’d be confident in one
    black jersey game, but I think there will be at least one jersey surprise, whether it be an alternate
    helmet, new jersey, or something that may not be announced until the middle of the season.
34. Michael Morgan is the one of the most versatile players on the Jacks. Listed as a FB/TE on
    the roster, he brings experience, knowledge of the playbook, and a pair of touchdowns that he
    scored last season in the game vs Dixie State. As a fullback fan, his 55-yard touchdown was one
    of my favorite TDs from last year.
35. Can we talk about how deep the tight end room is? We have 2 of the best in the nation on one
    team, as well as some younger players who are primed to continue that development that has
    been so valuable. This position group has improved every year in my time digging deep on the
    Jacks (since 2018) and I expect more of the same from them.
36. Who are your personal favorite Jackrabbits? In no particular order, some of mine are Mark
    Gronowski, Isaiah Davis, Adam Bock, Dyshawn Gales, Cade Terveer, Tucker Kraft, Graham
    Spalding, and Garret Greenfield.
37. What Jacks deserve NIL deals? Probably more of them than those that will actually get one.
    I’d love to see local businesses around Brookings and even Sioux Falls partner with these players
    because these guys are great on the field but even better of off it.
38. Someone made the remark that you can reasonably travel to any game this year by just
    driving. I want to look at attending my second Jackrabbit road game this year, however not sure
    which one. Looking at Iowa City or Fargo. Being these are my two of my least favorite teams,
    the trip will certainly be interesting either way.
39. Looking at the FCS, who are the other candidates for a national championship? The four
    teams I’d only feel comfortable in NDSU, Montana, Montana State, and us. I think one other
    team will sneak its way into conversation by the end of October.
40. How do Jason Eck and Brian Bergstrom fair in their new jobs? It seems to me that Eck’s job
    at Idaho is more promising than Bergstrom’s. I think there is a real possibility that Eck could
    really turn Idaho around fast. Bergstrom has to play in the NSIC, which seems loaded in and out
    similar to the MVFC. Idaho for now is second favorite FCS teams
41. Rant time. I frankly hate sitting in the student section. It seems to me that anything that
    doesn’t go the Jacks way is booed on and inexplicably loathed. It’s probably due to some alcohol
    but I wish we would be more classy than what we are. IMO, we boo three teams, USD, NDSU,
    and at times UND. We want to give MVFC refs a hard time but at least they’re not a CAA,
    OVC, or Southland ref from what I’ve been told.
42. Rave. Jackrabbit Book Club. Can’t wait to tailgate with y’all once again this fall. If you want
    to meet up I’ll be there most home games this fall.
43. Highly advise visiting Jackrabbit Central or the University Bookstore for all of your apparel
    needs. Got myself a hoodie that I will be wearing a lot this upcoming year.
44. Much respect to #44, Saiveon Williamson for sticking it out on the roster. Hasn’t played
    much outside of special teams but seems to play hard and always have a smile and bring a
    swagger and good vibes to the team.
45. Who is QB2? Rudy Voss got a lot of time in the spring game and IMO looked to part where
    he could be the QB2 but Keaton Heide brings a wealth of experience and knowledge of what the
    Jackrabbits want to do offensively.
46. Fits of Outrage: The Rabbit Den needs to mean something again. Paying $25 for it last year
    got me only the opportunity to head in early at the Marker game. There should be something for
    all sports, and more than just one game a year for the Big 3, that being football, men’s and
    women’s basketball.
47. Jacks fans, our expectations for this year are Frisco or bust. That’s all. That’s the point.
48. I’ve highlighted a lot of sayings that this position group has depth, or that group has a lot of
    leadership and experience. Here’s how I’d rank the top 3 position groups as far as depth go, and
    feel free to tell me I’m wrong. Defensive ends, pass catchers as a whole, followed by
    linebackers.
49. Shoutout to those that cover the Jacks. From Sam Herder to Matt Zimmer, to FCS Fans
    Nation and those higher-ups for Jackrabbit Illustrated who let me ramble for this long, your
    coverage and analysis are greatly appreciated.
50. We want to go 1-0 each week. Some games are circled on the calendar for some reasons and
    some for other reasons. However, let’s suppose the Jacks can go 1-0 every week for the regular
    season, and carry it through to the playoffs. That would result in 15-0. Coach Stig is at 185 wins.
    185+15=… 200! Coach Stig’s 200 th career win could hypothetically be his first national
    championship

Thank you for reading this college-sized essay and preamble type reflection. I look forward to
seeing what the season brings, and hopefully see you soon!
Go Jacks!
Josh

About the author:
Joshua Hofman is a redshirt senior majoring in Sport and Recreation Management at South
Dakota State University. Outside of classes, he works at Hyvee, takes part in both The
Navigators and Oasis, and spends too much money on golf.