The Jackrabbits (7-1, 3-1) get to stay home as they play host to the Indiana State Sycamores (2-6, 0-4). The Trees have struggled this year with one of their wins coming against D2 McKendree and the other against Eastern Illinois. However, they notably played NDSU tough for a half before eventually losing by the same score that SDSU lost to NDSU on Saturday. The Jacks certainly can’t let NDSU beat them twice and need to be focused on this matchup with Indiana State.
Offense
Indiana State has struggled to put up points this season at 20.5 ppg. They rush and throw for 150 yards per game (4.2 yards per pass and 5.68 per pass). They have really struggled on 3rd down and have converted just 28% of the time (31 of 110). In the redzone they have scored 14 of 16 times, 11 being of the touchdown variety. They have allowed 23 sacks, tossed 5 interceptions, and have lost 2 fumbles.
The Sycamores have struggled with consistency at the quarterback position. Their starter this week will be #15 Keegan Patterson (6-0, 195). He is completing 53.5% of his passes for 535 yards and 3 TDs to 3 interceptions. Patterson has some running ability to him and has rushed for 190 gross yards and 1 TD. Redshirt freshman #10 Brock Riddle (6-2, 205) has played in 5 games this seasons seeing extensive action against USD and UND. He’s completed 45.6% of his passes for 318 yards, 1 TD to 3 INTs.
The best player for the trees is #9 Nick Osho (6-2, 220). He has rushed for 554 yards (6.8 ypc) and 7 TDs. He is big and physical. He also has 7 receptions for 18 yards and 1 TD. Indiana State has a bit of a “Thunder and Lightning” combo in the backfield with Osho serving as the thunder and #1 Plez Lawrence (5-9, 200) acting as the lightning. He has 248 yards (4.4 ypc) and 3 TDs. He is dangerous out of the backfield and is the third leading receiver on the team with 7 receptions for 118 yards and 2 TD.
The wide receiver room is led by Rutgers transfer #8 Rashad Rochelle (5-11, 185). He has 23 receptions for 332 yards and 2 TDs. He has also thrown a pass and has a rushing attempt so that may be something to watch! The other starters are #88 Zack Drawdy Jr (6-3, 190) and #12 Torey French (5-9, 185). Drawdy has 17 receptions for 167 yards and French has 7 for 75. #17 Keshon Singleton (6-1, 205) is a redshirt freshman and he has shown the propensity to make the big plays with 6 receptions for 118 yards and 2 TDs. #87 Lance Rees (6-4, 255) and #80 Rocco Ciocca (6-5, 245) serve as the tight ends. Reese has 11 receptions for 77 yards and Ciocca has 3 for 36.
The offensive line for Indiana State is big and has a mix of youth and experience. From left to right they go:
LT: #50 Sunny Okunlola (6-4, 310, RSr)- 2 year starter
LG: #60 Griffin Hile (6-5, 310, RFr)- 1st year starter
C: #75 Drew Page (6-4, 330, RJr)- Started at Kent State in 2023.
RG: #67 Jordan Solofa-Fatu (6-3, 300, Jr): Transferred from City College of San Francisco. 1st year started
RT: #68 Zach Simpson (6-5, 295, RSo): 1st year starter
Defense
The Sycamore 4-2-5 defense has really struggled this season giving up 41.5 points per game this season. However, that is weighted pretty severely by surrendering 73 points to Indiana and 63 points to Montana. Opponents are rushing for 250 per game and passing for 242 per game. Opponents are converting on 48.25% of their 3rd down opportunities. In the redzone they have allowed scores on 39 of 42 opportunities; 31 of which have been touchdowns. They have recorded 13 sacks, recovered 4 fumbles, and have intercepted 5 passes.
Up front they have some good size. At the end spots are #92 Jayden Childers (6-3, 240, JR) and #6 Kolten Gajewski (6-5, 260, Jr). They each have 13 tackles this season and 2 quarterback hits. However, Childers leads the way with 2.5 sacks and has an INT. On the interior are #95 Logan Wilson (6-3, 275) and #98 Bryce Patterson (6-3, 280). Wilson is very active and has 22 tackles, 5.5 TFL, and 2 sacks. Patterson has 15 tackles, 3 TFL, 1 sack, and 1 QBH. Reserve ends #8 Nathan Gonzales (6-5, 255) and #35 Kaleb Harris (6-3, 240) have combined for 23 tackles with Gonzales have 2 sacks. #90 Shane Bennett (6-4, 275) has 17 total tackles and 4 PBUs as a reserve defensive tackle.
The linebackers for Indiana State are #42 Braxton Sampson (6-2, 225) and #45 Lucas McAllister (6-0, 220). Sampson has 62 total tackles, 6 TFL, 1 sack, and a forced fumble. McAllister has 38 total tackles, 8.5 TFL, 2 sacks, and a forced fumble. This is a really active duo for the Sycamores! #3 Drew Covington (6-4, 230) transferred in from Toledo and has 31 total tackles and 2 TFL.
Like most MVFC teams now, the Trees really rely on their nickelback to make plays. That guy is #34 Nic Yatsko (6-1, 200) and he has 46 tackles, 1.5 TFL, 1 INT, 1 PBU, and 2 QBHs. He’s all over the place. #23 Ahmond Glass (5-11, 170) starts as the field cornerback and he has 33 tackles, 1.5 TFL, 1 sack, 1 INT, and 5 PBU. Opposite him is #15 Xavian Andrews (6-2, 200) and he has 30 tackles and 5 PBUs. #2 Jerome Robinson (5-11, 170) serves as the top reserve and he has 24 tackles, 1 TFL, and 1 INT this season.
Special Teams
Indiana State has an experienced punter in #46 Harry Traum. On 47 attempts he has a 43 yard average with a long of 58 yards. He has just 4 touchbacks and has forced 16 to be fair caught, landed 13 inside the 20, and boomed 6- 50+ yards. Opponents have returned 19 punts for a 7.32 yard average and a long of 28. #37 Sebastian Lopez has only attempted 7 field goals this season and made 4 with his long being 46 yards. He has had 1 kicked blocked. On kickoffs he has a 62.5 yard average on 35 attempts. Just 19 have been touchbacks but he has booted 3 out of bounds. Opponents are averaging 19.39 yards per return with a long of 40.
In the return game ISU has #8 Rashad Rochelle handle the kick and punt return duties. As a punt returner he has 7 attempts with a 12.29 average and a long of 28. He also has 14 kick returns for a 24 yard average and a long of 39. #12 Torey French (5-9, 185) has 7 kick returns with an 18.71 yard average.
Prediction
The Jackrabbits find their way back into the win column in this one. What it comes down to however, is how much SDSU wins by and how quickly they get into a rhythm on offense. Also, can the defense maybe a start a little quicker this week after a few games where they simply haven’t looked very good to start the game. I think they come out hot on both sides of the ball in an attempt to prove that last week against NDSU is not who they are.
Jackrabbits 35, Sycamores 10
Go Jacks!
Matt
