Sep. 25—BROOKINGS — South Dakota State enters their bye week and Missouri Valley Soccer Convention play with a 3-1 document, and regardless of all of the discuss of the Jackrabbits taking place to Stillwater to beat Oklahoma State, 3-1 was at all times the more than likely state of affairs.
SDSU adopted the 44-20 loss to the Cowboys with wins over Incarnate Phrase, Augustana and Southeastern Louisiana, and that has been sufficient to maintain them within the prime spot within the FCS High 25 ballot.
Contemplating the two-time defending nationwide champions entered the season on a 29-game successful streak and had been barely examined all through an traditionally dominant 2023 marketing campaign, it is onerous to really feel completely glad with SDSU’s play to this point. They let the Division II Vikings dangle round somewhat too lengthy. It took them awhile to warmth up within the residence opener towards Incarnate Phrase, and even in final week’s 41-0 rout of Southeastern Louisiana, a non-existent passing recreation was onerous to not discover.
The bye comes at a super time for SDSU, not simply to organize for Missouri Valley Soccer Convention play, but additionally to offer the Jacks an additional week to get wholesome — a number of key gamers have missed time all through non-conference play.
Coach Jimmy Rogers didn’t maintain his weekly press convention Tuesday so we’ll have to attend for an replace on the standing of starters Sam Hagen, Ethan Vibert, Tucker Giant and Cale Reeder, amongst others.
However the Jacks must be no less than considerably more healthy on Oct. 5 once they journey to the UNI-Dome to face Northern Iowa.
This is an evaluation of issues by means of 4 video games, report-card type:
Offense
The Jacks are averaging 32 factors and 423 yards per recreation, so giving them too harsh of a grade right here would really feel disingenuous.
SDSU’s working recreation has been wonderful, averaging 6.5 yards per carry and 232 yards per recreation, with Amar Johnson trying totally succesful (as anticipated) of assuming the position of featured again, with freshman Maxwell Woods exhibiting promise and Kirby Vorhees producing one of the crucial dominant single-game performances in class historical past final Saturday. The offensive line has been no less than pretty much as good as may very well be anticipated having stated goodbye to 3 standout starters from final 12 months.
The passing recreation hasn’t been pretty much as good. There have been explosive performs within the first two video games however the final two have been arguably the 2 worst of Mark Gronowski’s profession. By means of 4 video games Gronowski has six landing passes and 5 interceptions whereas throwing for 188 yards per recreation. Griffin Wilde has been excellent and Grahm Goering strong, however the tight ends have been largely quiet.
Grade: B-
Protection
The Jacks gave up 68 factors of their first two video games, however that was no trigger for alarm. They had been really fairly aggressive of their loss to Oklahoma State regardless of giving up 44 factors, and Incarnate Phrase’s offense was filled with playmakers that challenged SDSU and possibly made them higher. In any case, they’ve not allowed any factors within the final two video games, as the one three factors their final two opponents scored got here courtesy of a fumbled kickoff deep in their very own territory.
Accidents have affected the secondary and the cross rush as soon as once more began gradual, however proper now this unit seems to be fairly good.
Grade: A-
Particular Groups
Hunter Dustman is 4-for-5 on discipline objectives, good on PATs and averaging 42 yards per punt, with 5 of his 12 touchdown contained in the 20 and 0 returns allowed.
And final week’s 88-yard punt return landing by Dalys Beanum was a game-changing play. The fumbled kickoff return towards Augie is the one actual blemish.
Grade: A
Teaching
We all know it is tempting accountable the offensive coordinator when an offense spins its wheels, particularly when it is a new offensive coordinator with established gamers. There is not any denying the offense has been inconsistent and Gronowski’s struggles can be straightforward to put on the toes of latest quarterback coach Danny Freund and/or new offensive coordinator Ryan Olson.
However there was numerous that going round when Zach Lujan was a rookie offensive coordinator in 2022 and the offense struggled within the early going, and all he ended up doing was go 28-1 with two nationwide championships to land a Large Ten coordinator job earlier than his thirtieth birthday. It is too early to begin drawing conclusions.
The employees deserves credit score for rebuilding the offensive line rapidly and establishing a dominant working recreation however there is not any query they should assist remedy the passing recreation’s points.
Defensively the Jacks appeared to make vital strides during the last two weeks, and that is a credit score to the coaches given the brand new starters on the entrance seven and the accidents within the secondary.
Grade: B
