Woooo! We made it to Dakota Marker Week!  The Jacks did their part and defeated the Murray State Racers 35-14.  There is some anxiousness in Jackrabbit nation right now as we wait to hear more definite information on the injury to Chase Mason.  With this game, I really didn’t care how the Jackrabbits won, I just wanted them to win.  We saw some stuff to improve and we also saw some new faces that really impressed.

Rants & Raves

Rave: I think we have to start with backup QB Luke Marble and his performance.  He was 13 for 21 for 189 yards, and 2 TDs with an INT.  He started out slow but before halftime really turned it up in a no huddle hurry up offense.  He was doing a good job of not making a big mistake until he tossed an ill-advised interception when he tried to do too much.  The only thing I can think of is that he thought he had a free pay with an offsides Murray State defender.  Outside of that, I’m really excited for Marble’s future and I think he’s going to be pretty dang good.

Rave:  The Jackrabbits appear to have struck gold with their freshmen running backs.  James Basinger has been solid as the top reserve all season and on Saturday he rushed for 32 yards and a TD on just 6 carries.  The revelation was Josiah Johnson who had his first carries of the season.  He had 10 carries for 58 yards and a TD.  His quick burst, physicality, and decisive decision making really caught my eye.

Rant: The Jackrabbit defense struggled with tackling on Saturday.  Tip of the cap to Murray State, they played hard and they have some good athletes on the offensive side of the ball.  As an outsider, it seemed like the Jacks just didn’t have their usual quality in wrapping up and getting guys to the turf.

Rave: With 211 rushing yards and zero sacks allowed, I have to give a huge shoutout to the #605Hogs.  In a week where many felt I graded them unfairly, they stepped up and controlled the line of scrimmage and kept their freshman quarterback clean.  They played a really good game.

Rave: The Jackrabbit defense had another dominant day with turnovers.  Joe Ollman and Jayden Oliver each had an interception while Jalen Lee continued his hot streak with two more interceptions.  The Jacks now have 8 turnovers in the past two games.  They’re giving up some yards but are suffocating in the redzone.

Rant: It’s due to a variety of things that happen but there is definitely some stagnation on the offensive side of the ball at times.  Part of this weeks issue was getting Marble comfortable and settled in but sometimes its penalties, sometimes its play calling, sometimes its the opponent making a great play, and sometimes its just execution.  Whatever it is, it hasn’t cost the Jacks yet but they have to find ways to bust out of the slump quicker and not string multiple 3 and outs in a row.

Rave: Again, yesterday I was reminded of absolutely how lucky we are to have Tyler Merriam, Scotty Kwas and team, the Jackrabbit Sports Network, and Midco Sports Network.  The production of yesterday’s game was okay but the camera angle was weird and the extra cameras they had on the field field were never ready when they were utilized.

Rave: I thought the wide receiver trio of Alex Bullock (6 rec for 99 yards), Grahm Goering (3 rec for 35 yards), and Jack Smith (5 rec for 91 yards and 2 TD) really stepped up yesterday for their new quarterback.  On the first deep shot that Marble threw, Bullock really made a great play.  Goering also had some nice catch and runs and he really blocked his tail off on Smith’s first TD.  Smith for his part continues to play really really hard ever time he is on the field.  His second touchdown catch and run was awesome.

Rants: I’m beginning to get concerned about the defense giving up explosive plays.  The defense has the ability to be lights out but there appear to be mental lapses and in a yesterdays game, a physical mistake, that allow the opponents to have huge plays.  Yesterday, Murray State had 8 plays of 15 yards or more with two being 60+ yard scores.

Rave: I have seen too much over reaction from Jackrabbit fans to Saturday’s closer than expected game and I am appreciative of that.  I think people realized that the dynamic changed when Chase Mason went out and that yesterday was simply about getting out of Murray with a win.  Mission accomplished and it was a still a game that was never really in doubt.  Hopefully, we Jackrabbit fans can maintain that level headedness for the rest of the season.

Rave: The Jackrabbits have been stacking success when it comes to controlling the ball and winning the time of possession battle.  Yesterday was no different as the Jacks controlled the ball for 35:05.  The Jacks have dominated in this area this season with their game against YSU being the only time they didn’t win this number.  Besides that the closest it has been otherwise is Jacks +4.

Rave: I write about them every week but the Jackrabbit linebackers are playing at such a high level right now.   Yesterday Joe Ollman had his interception, Chase VanTol had 8 stops with 7 being solos, and Cullen McShane had a sack.  This group is just so talented and so good.  As they get more and more experience, they are going to be truly elite.

Rave: I’ve missed him on raves a few times this year but Dawson Ripperda had a HUGE sack yesterday where he completely whipped the Murray State offensive tackle with speed for a key sack on 4th down.  Ripp is having a great season and now has 3 sacks on the year.

Rave: He wasn’t able to down one inside the 10 but Cody Cotton was hustling his tail off on Max Pelham’s booming punts.  With the wind, Pelham was able to have a 54 yard average yesterday including one that traveled 68 yards.  Cotton was down there on every single one doing his best to pin the Racers deep.

Rave: It has been awesome to see everyone rallying behind the effort to bring ESPN’s College Gameday back to Brookings.  By the time you are reading this, it may have already been announced but it’s fun to see everyone showing pride in South Dakota State University and the Brookings community.  It’s obviously a huge game and one of the best in all of college football.  Fingers crossed they can make it happen!

Game Balls

Offense: Jack Smith

Defense: Jalen Lee

Special Teams: Max Pelham

Go Jacks!

Matt