The Jackrabbits are home again this week and host the University of South Dakota Coyotes in what is now the Jackrabbits biggest rival. USD has had a better season than I expected. I thought there would be growing pains with a young QB, new offensive line, and new pass catchers. That has not been the case. The offense has been explosive and the defense has been good enough and I believe is improving. This should be an awesome game, so if you don’t have tickets, get them bought now as there are less than 600 remaining.
Offense
USD’s offense is explosive, filled with speed and a good run/pass balance. They are averaging 37.67 points per game via 192.7 yards rushing per game and 217.11 passing. That’s pretty dang good! On 3rd down they convert 46% of the time and 86% on 4th down. In the redzone they have scored on 33 of 36 trips with 27 being touchdowns. They have allowed just 14 sacks, have lost 3 fumbles and have tossed 6 interceptions.
The quarterback is Jerry Rice Award front runner #1 Austyn Modrzewski (6-5, 215). He has been everything he was promised to be as a two-time winner of the Colorado Gatorade Player of the year. He’s big with a big arm and athletic enough to make some incredible throws. He’s completed 67% of his passes for 1,893 yards and 24 TDs to the 6 interceptions. He also has a gross of 184 yards rushing and 2 TDs as well. He is not a statue in the pocket. The Jackrabbits must take away the deep ball and force him to be patient in the passing game. USD will send in their backup quarterback #12 Jackson Proctor (6-2, 210) for running situations. The Dartmouth and NIU transfer has rushed for 211 net yards and 4 TDs this season on just 25 carries. He has only passed 9 times but has completed 6 for 61 yards and 1 TD.
A familiar face returned for his senior season after losing all of last year due to injury. #3 Charles Pierre Jr. (5-10, 210) has rushed for 713 yards (6.4 ypc) and 7 TDs. He is also a threat in the passing game with 10 receptions for 100 yards and 1 TD. Pierre is still a really physical runner and he has looked just fine coming back from injury. The primary backup is #33 Carson Fletcher (5-10, 215) who has 294 yards (5.7 ypc) and 2 TDs on the year. He also has 10 receptions for 97 yards. #5 Reid Watkins (5-11, 200) is another quality runner and he has 183 yards (4.1 ypc) and a TD on the season. The wild card of the group is #7 Keyondray Jones-Logan (5-7, 175) but he has missed the past two games due to injury. When healthy, he is one of the most dangerous speedsters in the MVFC. He has 110 yards rushing (4.1 ypc) and 11 receptions for 150 yards and a TD through the air. His status as of writing this is unknown.
The receiving corp has been really impressive to me. There was much that was unknown about this group and they have been really good. The group is lead by redshirt freshman #2 Brayden White (5-11, 180). White has gone off for 41 receptions for 569 yards and 8 TDs this year. He played as a freshman but it was really just as a special teams returner (a role he excelled at). His jump from year 1 to year 2 has been impressive. Opposite him is #6 Tysen Boze (6-4, 205) who many, including myself, expected to have a big year. Bryant has 22 receptions for 310 yards and 5 TDs. Working in the slot is Arkansas State transfer #9 Tennel Bryant (5-7, 170). He can absolutely fly! He has 19 receptions for 308 yards (21 ypc) and 4 TDs. Bryant will also need to be watched on ends around and reverses as he has 6 carries for 109 yards and 3 TDs. Just insane production on limited touches. This trio do most of the work with no other wide receiver having more than 2 receptions this season.
We know the yotes will pass it to their receivers and backs, the numbers show it. What they also show is that USD has a pair of capable tight ends as well. #83 Jesse Miller (6-6, 255) and #86 Chris Herrin (6-5, 230) are having nice seasons. Herrin has 14 receptions for 166 yards and 2 TDs while Miller has 10 receptions for 80 yards and 2 TDs as well. This is nice production from a group that maybe doesn’t get the attention the backs and wide receivers receive.
Maybe the most surprising group for this USD offense is the play of their offensive line. This group was a huge question mark entering the season and they have responded well. Again, they have only surrendered 14 sacks and are paving the way for the team to average 4.7 ypc. That is winning football. From left to right they go:
LT: #67 Brendon Crispe (6-9, 320, SO)- 3rd year at USD, first year starter but has been excellent.
LG: #74 Nick Herzog (6-4, 300, SR)- Northwestern transfer. Has started every game this season.
C: #71 Lucas Feldkamp (6-5, 305, RFr)- Local product that has had a solid first season. Noted as being very intelligant.
RG: #65 Caden Ellingson (6-7, 310, SR)- Battled through injuries in his career and started in 8 games across 3 seasons. Having a nice season.
RT: #76 Brock Woolf (6-5, 290, JR)- Former Kansas State transfer. In his second year of starting for USD.
Defense
The USD has exceeded my expectations as well. They graduated a fair amount of talent, lost the architect of the defense, a position coach, and their top cornerback. This group really should be struggling but they are not. The yotes allow 24.2 points per game, 4.7 yards per carry on the ground and 203.78 ypg through the air. They only have 15 sacks on the season, have recovered 9 fumbles, and have just 4 interceptions. They are solid on 3rd down (39%) and very good on 4th down (53%). In the redzone they have allowed scores on 27 of 30 trips with 21 being touchdowns.
USD plays a 4-3 base defense this season. A player I enjoy watching for USD is their big nose tackle, #50 Chris Dixon (6-2, 310). It feels like he has been making plays for USD for a number of years. This season he has 28 tackles, 3 sacks, 1 PBU, and 1 QBH. That is really solid production from a nose. Next to him is #44 John Starman (6-3, 285) who has 13 tackles, 4.5 TFL, 2.5 sacks, 4 PBUs and 2 QBH. Starman missed the game against YSU and his absence has been named as one of the reasons USD lost that game. The coaches clearly believe he is an important part of this defense. #93 Jeff Bowie (6-5, 280) and #99 Asher Tomaszewski (6-4, 295) are the primary backups. They have combined for 32 tackles with Tomaszewski having 2 sacks. On the outside is Concordia St. Paul transfer #57 Isaiah Wray (6-5, 255) who has 32 tackles and three QBHs. Opposite him is #46 Nathan Laparie (6-3, 260) and he has 19 tackles, 4.5 TFL, and 3 sacks along with 3 QBHs. #37 Crew Heier (6-4, 255) has made the transition from LB to DE and he has 13 tackles this year. #45 Sam Same (6-5, 225) transferred in from Iowa State and has 5 total tackles but 2 of them are sacks as a reserve DE.
Linebackers #39 Wade Abrams (6-0, 235) and #3 Gabe Hardman (5-10, 230) have been absolute playmakers for this defense. Abrams leads the team by a wide margin with 75 total tackles, 3.5 TFL, 3 PBUs, 2 QBHs and 3 forced fumbles. The former Valpo transfer has become a really good player for USD. Hardman also missed the YSU game earlier this season but he has 37 tackles, 6 TFL, and 3 forced fumbles of his own. The 3rd linebacker in the group is #24 Harrison Brun (6-1, 205). The Minnesota transfer is second on the team with 49 total tackles, 2 TFL, and 3 PBUs. #11 Cain Wallner (6-2, 225) has 24 total tackles as a reserve linebacker this season.
The secondary has been a really pleasant surprise for this defense. #4 Jaylen Boehm-Peterson (6-3, 190) transferred in from Iowa Western CC. He has 35 stops, 1.5 TFL, and 5 PBUs. Opposite him is Washburn transfer #0 Josh Grant (6-2, 190) who has 22 tackles and 5 PBUs. I had heard of Boehm-Peterson before this season due to his standout prep career in Minnesota but Grant was definitely not on my radar and he has been really good. Reserves #31 DJ Kennard (6-3, 200) and #20 Kameron Hawskins (6-0, 175) has combined for just 10 stops this year.
At safety, standout #9 Tim White (5-10, 205) is back after missing last season due to injury. He has 40 stops, 2 TFL, 1 sack, and 2 PBUs. Opposite him is Iowa transfer #2 Kael Kolarik (6-0, 210) who has 48 tackles, 1.5 TFL, 1 INT, 2 PBUs, and 1 fumble recovery. #14 Dawson Sechser (6-0, 190) has 20 total tackles and a PBU as a key reserve. Lafayette transfer #13 Kevin Dodard (5-11, 180) was brought in just in case White didn’t return to form after his injury and he has 8 tackles and 2 PBU on the year.
Special Teams
USDs special teams is pretty good across the board. They have dangerous returners and their punter and kickers are very talented. #16 Brook Honore has a 47 yard average on 36 punts. He’s had a long of 72, landed 17 inside the 20, forced 12 to be fair caught and has just 3 touchbacks. He’s also booted 14, 50+ yards. on 8 punt returns, opponents have a 8 yard return average with a long of 31. #45 Ford Hamilton handles the kickoff duties and he has a 61 yard average on 61 attempts. He’s forced 31 touchbacks and has booted just 1 out of bounds. Teams haven’t had a lot of success in the return game with just a 18 yard average on 24 return attempts. Hamilton has also kicked 1 field goal this season, a 49 yarder against Indiana State. #19 Bohdie Ing is the primary place kicker and he is a perfect 8 of 8 on the season but has missed two extra points.
For the USD return game, #2 Brayden White has handled the punt return duties and he has 5 returns for a 7 yard average with a long of 17 yards. He is also the primary kick returner with 6 attempts for 23 yards and a long of 31. #7 Keyondray Jones-Logan has 5 kick return attempts for a 23 yard average and a long of 26.
Predictions
This is going to be a close one. This is two talented teams and I think they match up well with one another. SDSU’s biggest question is the secondary… can they match up and take away the deep plays? USD’s biggest question is if they can match the physicality of the SDSU offensive line and tight ends with their front 7. We’ll see how this one plays out but give me the home team.
Jackrabbits 24, USD 21.
Go Jacks!
Matt
