The Jackrabbits went on the road and used a huge second quarter to secure a 38-7 victory.  The Jacks then simply cruised through the second half with the outcome never in doubt.  It was an impressive showing given what this game meant for UND and the fact that it was in the Alerus Center where the Jacks handed them just their 5th loss at home since 2019.

Rants & Raves

Rave: The explosive plays in the passing game are a thing that has mostly been missing since the Incarnate Word game.  On Saturday, Mark was dialed in with his deep shots to Griffin Wilde.  They connected on shots of 28, 25, 39, and 47 with the last 3 being TDs.  If the Jacks can continue that type of production on their shot plays, opponents will have no choice but to keep their safeties back and out of the run game.

Rave: This was certainly the most confident and involved we have seen Griffin Wilde.  He is such a well rounded wide receiver and he is certainly the 1A option for the Jacks.  He finished the day with 5 receptions for 140 yards and the 3 TDs.  Hopefully this is a sign that him and Mark are on the same page and that it continues through the rest of this season.

Rave: The Jackrabbit run defense was outstanding (outside of one play) against a terrific back and rush offense.  UND gained 124 yards total on 33 carries but 62 came on one play. Even with the one explosive run, that is just a 3.8 yard average.  If you take out the 62 yard run, it is just a 1.94 ypc average!  That is terrific defense.

Rant: The one big run play for UND was so unusual that I had to watch a it a few times to see exactly what had happened.  Isaiah Smith is possibly one of the best backs in the MVFC and he showed it early in the game.  On the 62 yard run, it appears the Jacks were outmanned with the defensive line slanting left, Bock getting blocked by the fullback, and Large getting caught in the wash (including a referee).  Huerter was really the only guy with a shot to make the play and Smith simply defeated him in the hole.  The Jacks have been caught running games on the defensive line a few times this season.  If Huerter makes the tackle we aren’t talking about this but the Jacks do need to be careful.

Rave:  I’m really proud of the team and how they won the mental battle in this game.  UND came out chippy at the start and it only really got worse as the game went along.  By the end, they were looking for a fight.  The Jacks didn’t respond and kept their composure.

Rave: The play call on Angel Johnson’s 29 yard TD run was a tremendous tendency breaker.  On the field were #4 Kentrell Prejean, #80 Lofton O’Groske, and #20 Kirby Vorhees.  That isn’t really what we would consider “run game personnel.”  Those three all did a terrific job though of sticking on their blocks and clearing the way downfield for Angel.

Rave: Speaking of the run game, the Jacks are on fire on the ground!  The Jacks gained 264 yards, 100 yards over the UND allowed average this season.  Angel had 100 yards (7.7 avg), Amar had 74 yards (4.9 avg), and Vorhees had 66 yards (7.3 avg).  That is tremendous production from the Jackrabbits top-3 RBs and the #605Hogs.

Rant: One thing I didn’t love in the run game was plugging Amar into the “wildcat” plays that Chase Mason typically runs.  They are completely different type of runners and Amar’s patient and cut back style of running doesn’t work.  Hopefully Chase is back soon and we don’t have to worry about it again.

Rave: Tucker Large drew the assignment of covering Bo Belquist for much of the day and he responded in a terrific way!   Bo finished with just 4 receptions for 40 yards.  That is about as close as you can get to erasing one of the best wide receivers in the MVFC.  Tucker ended up with the interception in the second half and looks like he may be fully back from the injuries that kept him out early this year.

Rave: The Jackrabbit special teams played their most complete game in weeks!  A blocked field goal, no punt return yards, just 23 kick return yards, perfect on extra points and a made field goal.  It appeared to be a mistake free game by the unit that has been plagued by mistakes for the past 3 weeks.

Rave: The Jackrabbit 3rd down defense was FIERCE.  The Jacks limited UND to conversions of just 2 of 12 attempts.  UND never got in a rhythm because of this 3rd down defense.

Rant:  On the flip side, the Jacks 3rd down offense was pretty pedestrian as well.  The Jacks were just 3 of 11 themselves and had a number of execution miscues that limited their success. The team will have to clean it up as the playoffs approach!

Rave: The Jackrabbit pass rush was relentless in this matchup ending the day with 4 sacks.  Francl, Bock, Spalding, and Kirschenman all collected one with Spalding forcing the second quarter fumble.  It felt like UND’s QB, Romfo, was under duress all afternoon.

Rave: We’ve mentioned the senior linebackers every week but they are playing so dang well.  The previously mentioned Francl, Bock, and Spalding but also Daeton Mcgaughy! Daeton is playing maybe the best ball of his career and I think that’s why he is seeing so much playing time.  He has the ability to player either OLB spot and is just playing so fast.

Rave: The Jackrabbit coaching staff is finding a terrific balance in playing time between the seniors and the talented youth that is all over this roster. Jack Thue, Jack Smith, and Shane Willenbring are all true freshmen that saw action on Saturday.  There are numerous other redshirt freshmen and sophomores who are playing significant and complimentary roles for this team.  The future is bright!

Rave: The Jackrabbit fans sounded like they traveled REALLY well.  The “Let’s go Rabbits” chant being audible over the TV broadcast in the SECOND quarter was awesome.

Rave: One of my favorite things we have done as Jackrabbit Illustrated is the creation of the Jackrabbit Illustrated Bar Network list.  I traveled 45 minutes down the road to The Pump in Milbank, South Dakota and had a great time.  It was an awesome atmosphere with TVs all over the building.  It was great food, great drinks, and just a really cool space for small-town South Dakota. I also got to meet fellow Jackrabbit fans that I haven’t met yet.  I hope you all get the chance to visit one of these bars to watch a game at some point!

Rave: This is now two weeks in a row where it feels like the team is really clicking.  If this is the Jackrabbit offense that enters the playoffs, my money is in the Jacks in every game.

Game Balls

Offense: Griffin Wilde- 5 receptions for 140 yards, 3 TDs

Defense: Tucker Large- Eliminating Belquist and 1 INT

Special Teams: Max Baloun- blocked kick; Marks 47 yard punt, downed at the 1, was under consideration! ha

Go Jacks!

Matt