SIU's first big FCS test of the year comes at the place where their season ended this Spring.
The Jackrabbits are coached by John Stiegelmeier in his 25th season as head coach and last year finished as runner-ups to Sam Houston State.
South Dakota State come into this game as the #2 team in the country and 4-0 on the season with wins over FBS Colorado State, Lindenwood, at Indiana State, and Dixie State.
Jackrabbits to Know:
With Sophomore QB Mark Gronowski out for the year with an injury, the Jackrabbits have used 6'2 grad transfer Chris Oladokun. Oladokun started his football career at FBS South Florida where he played 8 total games in 3 years before transferring to Samford. At Samford, Oladokun accounted for 29 total touchdowns in two years. He then landed at South Dakota State where he was named the starting QB. So far this season, Oladokun has thrown for 721 yards and 11 touchdowns and 0 interceptions.
South Dakota State's leading rusher is 5'11 Senior running back Pierre Strong Jr. Strong Jr. rushed for 707 yards and 3 touchdowns in the Spring season and has rushed for 486 yards and 5 touchdowns so far this season. Strong Jr. was named a Walter Payton Award finalist for the Spring season.
In the receiving game, the Jackrabbits have 3 key receivers led by the twin duo of 6'3 Jadon Janke and Jaxon Janke. The Jankes have combined for 410 receiving yards and 4 receiving touchdowns so far this year. Jaxon was named to the All-MVFC second team in the preseason. 6'5 Sophomore tight end Tucker Kraft is following in the footsteps of former Jackrabbit Dallas Goedert as he has 196 receiving yards and 3 touchdowns on the season. They also have 6'7 Junior tight end Zach Heins who has caught 3 touchdown passes this season and was named to the All-MVFC first team in the preseason.
Massey Ratings:
Massey Ratings gives South Dakota State a 31-24 victory with a 71% chance of winning
The current weather for Brookings, South Dakota on Saturday:
A chance of showers after 1pm. Partly sunny, with a high near 72. Chance of precipitation is 30%.
SDSU Coach John Stiegelmeier meeting with the media:
This is likely SIU's toughest game of the season. They better come out ready to play and stay focused or they'll get their butts kicked. Last weekend's performance against WIU was lackluster. The team appeared to sleep walk through 3/4 of the game.
We need to play our best game of the fall to even have a chance at a victory. We do have a substantial amount of seniors so I look for us to step up our game and compete at a high level. We definitely need Avante Cox to play, hopefully he is good to go . Go Dawgs
Any thoughts on the effect of SDSU starting the season with 4 pushover teams (or maybe CSU and ISU aren't pushovers)? I know they are a disciplined team, so most likely it will have no effect, buttttttttt... thoughts?
Every next game is the toughest of the season is a winning team's attitude.
“The best thing about freshmen is that they become sophomores.”
-- Al McGuire
SDSU rolled Colorado State on the road. Colorado State gave #3 Iowa a scare and beat
Toledo handily. While the other SDSU opponents were 3 much easier FCS teams and a D2, they absolutely crushed each one of them. In my opinion SDSU is probably the best team in the FCS. We will have to play unbelievably well to beat them. They might be the best team we face all year, including Kansas State. They are scary good!
We beat them in the playoffs as far as I'm concerned. Had refs reviewed the play, JW scored a TD. Unfortunately, so far our offense doesn't look nearly as good as that team's IMO.
SDSU would kick Sam Houston's b u t t IMO - I agree they are the best team in the FCS and probably r better than Kstate. I think they're better than last year. Gonna have to really step it up and play much better to have a chance.
We beat them in the playoffs as far as I'm concerned. Had refs reviewed the play, JW scored a TD. Unfortunately, so far our offense doesn't look nearly as good as that team's IMO.
SDSU would kick Sam Houston's b u t t IMO - I agree they are the best team in the FCS and probably r better than Kstate. I think they're better than last year. Gonna have to really step it up and play much better to have a chance.
Let me guess...Stone L. would have this team rolling? For all the issues that offense has had so far: non-existent running game in all but the Dayton game, injuries to significant contributors (especially against WIU), too many turnovers, etc., they've worst they've put up is 23 points against K-State. Last year's offense was all over the map (probably partly b/c of the QB injuries/shuffle), NDSU (awesome game) then UNI and SDSU (not so awesome). That continued until the final few games until they finally started to get consistent, but let's not pretend it was a well oiled machine all year.
Baker has been asked to carry a pretty heavy load so far. There is no doubt they need to improve and I think it starts up front. They have to start opening some holes for the running game more consistently (our backs might need to make some better decisions too), so we can be a more balanced team. Baker has to limit the mistakes, he's made some poor decisions the last two weeks (the pick six being the most egregious). If Avante is out, we will need someone other than Lenoir to step up. Hartrup had a great game against ISU, but struggled against WIU...we really need him to be that consistent second option while Cox is out. Even completely healthy, we need to play a great game to come out of this with a win because SDSU isn't going to beat themselves.
If Gronowski doesn't get hurt last year, I think they win the title. Their transfer QB Oladokun has played pretty good so far, but I'm more concerned about their run game. Davis is out injured, so Strong will get most of the carries (what a luxury to have). If we can limit his big plays and force a couple turnovers, we have a chance. If we come out flat like ISU or have a second half like we did against WIU, we'll get smoked. Looking forward to see how they respond.
It's hard to forget that Baker is still just a Sophomore and only played in 6 games prior to this season so his best football is still ahead of him. Baker is a tough kid that has arm talent and he's going to continue to develop. It's possible the offense is running better so far with Stone L at QB but playing Baker now will benefit the Salukis hopefully the rest of this season and the next 2 seasons
We beat them in the playoffs as far as I'm concerned. Had refs reviewed the play, JW scored a TD. Unfortunately, so far our offense doesn't look nearly as good as that team's IMO.
SDSU would kick Sam Houston's b u t t IMO - I agree they are the best team in the FCS and probably r better than Kstate. I think they're better than last year. Gonna have to really step it up and play much better to have a chance.
Let me guess...Stone L. would have this team rolling? For all the issues that offense has had so far: non-existent running game in all but the Dayton game, injuries to significant contributors (especially against WIU), too many turnovers, etc., they've worst they've put up is 23 points against K-State. Last year's offense was all over the map (probably partly b/c of the QB injuries/shuffle), NDSU (awesome game) then UNI and SDSU (not so awesome). That continued until the final few games until they finally started to get consistent, but let's not pretend it was a well oiled machine all year.
Baker has been asked to carry a pretty heavy load so far. There is no doubt they need to improve and I think it starts up front. They have to start opening some holes for the running game more consistently (our backs might need to make some better decisions too), so we can be a more balanced team. Baker has to limit the mistakes, he's made some poor decisions the last two weeks (the pick six being the most egregious). If Avante is out, we will need someone other than Lenoir to step up. Hartrup had a great game against ISU, but struggled against WIU...we really need him to be that consistent second option while Cox is out. Even completely healthy, we need to play a great game to come out of this with a win because SDSU isn't going to beat themselves.
If Gronowski doesn't get hurt last year, I think they win the title. Their transfer QB Oladokun has played pretty good so far, but I'm more concerned about their run game. Davis is out injured, so Strong will get most of the carries (what a luxury to have). If we can limit his big plays and force a couple turnovers, we have a chance. If we come out flat like ISU or have a second half like we did against WIU, we'll get smoked. Looking forward to see how they respond.
Nic has played well at times, but when he gets pressured, he hasn't played great. Has a decent arm, although he underthrew a lot of guys last week. Labanowitz was definitely more accurate and a bit better at avoiding the rush, less likely to throw picks for sure and better at throwing on the run. Ran the team like he owned it those last few games ... great accuracy and great QB rating. First time in years we were able to play with SDSU. There are other factors but yes we had great quarterbacking those last few games.
Hope NB improves with experience. I don't like our chances up there, unless we can get off to a great start and knock them back on their heels a bit.
No question they win that National Championship game last year with a healthy Gronowski.
They're better this year, but we showed better team speed in the playoff game imo. Their new QB s best game was Colo St. Otherwise his numbers haven't been great.. Their running game has been outstanding.
We beat them in the playoffs as far as I'm concerned. Had refs reviewed the play, JW scored a TD. Unfortunately, so far our offense doesn't look nearly as good as that team's IMO.
SDSU would kick Sam Houston's b u t t IMO - I agree they are the best team in the FCS and probably r better than Kstate. I think they're better than last year. Gonna have to really step it up and play much better to have a chance.
Let me guess...Stone L. would have this team rolling? For all the issues that offense has had so far: non-existent running game in all but the Dayton game, injuries to significant contributors (especially against WIU), too many turnovers, etc., they've worst they've put up is 23 points against K-State. Last year's offense was all over the map (probably partly b/c of the QB injuries/shuffle), NDSU (awesome game) then UNI and SDSU (not so awesome). That continued until the final few games until they finally started to get consistent, but let's not pretend it was a well oiled machine all year.
Baker has been asked to carry a pretty heavy load so far. There is no doubt they need to improve and I think it starts up front. They have to start opening some holes for the running game more consistently (our backs might need to make some better decisions too), so we can be a more balanced team. Baker has to limit the mistakes, he's made some poor decisions the last two weeks (the pick six being the most egregious). If Avante is out, we will need someone other than Lenoir to step up. Hartrup had a great game against ISU, but struggled against WIU...we really need him to be that consistent second option while Cox is out. Even completely healthy, we need to play a great game to come out of this with a win because SDSU isn't going to beat themselves.
If Gronowski doesn't get hurt last year, I think they win the title. Their transfer QB Oladokun has played pretty good so far, but I'm more concerned about their run game. Davis is out injured, so Strong will get most of the carries (what a luxury to have). If we can limit his big plays and force a couple turnovers, we have a chance. If we come out flat like ISU or have a second half like we did against WIU, we'll get smoked. Looking forward to see how they respond.
Nic has played well at times, but when he gets pressured, he hasn't played great. Has a decent arm, although he underthrew a lot of guys last week. Labanowitz was definitely more accurate and a bit better at avoiding the rush, less likely to throw picks for sure and better at throwing on the run. Ran the team like he owned it those last few games ... great accuracy and great QB rating. First time in years we were able to play with SDSU. There are other factors but yes we had great quarterbacking those last few games.
Hope NB improves with experience. I don't like our chances up there, unless we can get off to a great start and knock them back on their heels a bit.
No question they win that National Championship game last year with a healthy Gronowski.
They're better this year, but we showed better team speed in the playoff game imo. Their new QB s best game was Colo St. Otherwise his numbers haven't been great.. Their running game has been outstanding.
I'd be curious to who you think plays great when they are pressured. I've rarely seen any QB "play well" when getting pressured all game.
QB has to stay in the pocket and make pressured throws downfield. That hasn’t happened this year. That’s what it will take to beat teams that finish at the top of the conference every year. Baker takes off or backs out of pocket because he can’t see over the top as pocket develops. He’s a tough kid and plays hard but you have to be able to check- down and stand in the pocket. That’s football and that’s what it takes to win big time games. Outplayed by Illinois State and had to win in OT vs Western this year. The next 4 could be ugly.
QB has to stay in the pocket and make pressured throws downfield. That hasn’t happened this year. That’s what it will take to beat teams that finish at the top of the conference every year. Baker takes off or backs out of pocket because he can’t see over the top as pocket develops. He’s a tough kid and plays hard but you have to be able to check- down and stand in the pocket. That’s football and that’s what it takes to win big time games. Outplayed by Illinois State and had to win in OT vs Western this year. The next 4 could be ugly.
That's where it helps to be taller. Mobile shorter QBs can do just fine, but they're probably not staying in that pocket so much.
Then there's guys like Drew Brees (6'), Doug Flutie (5' 10"), Russell Wilson (5' 11"), Mike Vick and Kyler Murray (5' 10").
If we come out flat like we did against the Redchickens, SDSU will eat us alive. Need to come out psyched like we did against them in the playoffs.
We beat them in the playoffs as far as I'm concerned. Had refs reviewed the play, JW scored a TD. Unfortunately, so far our offense doesn't look nearly as good as that team's IMO.
SDSU would kick Sam Houston's b u t t IMO - I agree they are the best team in the FCS and probably r better than Kstate. I think they're better than last year. Gonna have to really step it up and play much better to have a chance.
Let me guess...Stone L. would have this team rolling? For all the issues that offense has had so far: non-existent running game in all but the Dayton game, injuries to significant contributors (especially against WIU), too many turnovers, etc., they've worst they've put up is 23 points against K-State. Last year's offense was all over the map (probably partly b/c of the QB injuries/shuffle), NDSU (awesome game) then UNI and SDSU (not so awesome). That continued until the final few games until they finally started to get consistent, but let's not pretend it was a well oiled machine all year.
Baker has been asked to carry a pretty heavy load so far. There is no doubt they need to improve and I think it starts up front. They have to start opening some holes for the running game more consistently (our backs might need to make some better decisions too), so we can be a more balanced team. Baker has to limit the mistakes, he's made some poor decisions the last two weeks (the pick six being the most egregious). If Avante is out, we will need someone other than Lenoir to step up. Hartrup had a great game against ISU, but struggled against WIU...we really need him to be that consistent second option while Cox is out. Even completely healthy, we need to play a great game to come out of this with a win because SDSU isn't going to beat themselves.
If Gronowski doesn't get hurt last year, I think they win the title. Their transfer QB Oladokun has played pretty good so far, but I'm more concerned about their run game. Davis is out injured, so Strong will get most of the carries (what a luxury to have). If we can limit his big plays and force a couple turnovers, we have a chance. If we come out flat like ISU or have a second half like we did against WIU, we'll get smoked. Looking forward to see how they respond.
Nic has played well at times, but when he gets pressured, he hasn't played great. Has a decent arm, although he underthrew a lot of guys last week. Labanowitz was definitely more accurate and a bit better at avoiding the rush, less likely to throw picks for sure and better at throwing on the run. Ran the team like he owned it those last few games ... great accuracy and great QB rating. First time in years we were able to play with SDSU. There are other factors but yes we had great quarterbacking those last few games.
Hope NB improves with experience. I don't like our chances up there, unless we can get off to a great start and knock them back on their heels a bit.
No question they win that National Championship game last year with a healthy Gronowski.
They're better this year, but we showed better team speed in the playoff game imo. Their new QB s best game was Colo St. Otherwise his numbers haven't been great.. Their running game has been outstanding.
I'd be curious to who you think plays great when they are pressured. I've rarely seen any QB "play well" when getting pressured all game.
No question it's hard on the QB. SL was pressured a lot against Weber and SDSU and played well. If I remember correctly, Joel Sambursky was good against the rush - quick and mobile. Terrific QB. Gateway MVP in 2004 and two-time Walter Payton finalist.
Check out Aaron Rodgers or Russell Wilson - those guys are fantastic against pressure and can throw on the run.
