Jackrabbit Illustrated

I think I have emotionally recovered from the National Championship game and I'm ready to look ahead to the fall.  This is a rundown of who is on the roster and at which position.  This isn't a depth chart per-say as I have no idea how those who weren't on the active-gameday roster and depth chart are regarded and have progressed in the weight room.  A few general takeaways... this team is loaded.  There is a great mix of experience, talent, and youth up and down this roster.  Just because someone held a certain spot on the depth chart this spring doesn't mean that will retain their role in the fall.  There is competition everywhere and I can't remember a time that the Jackrabbit roster had this much talent.  The NCAA's decision to not count this past season towards a year of eligibility is a blessing and curse.  For a blessing, it gave live reps to new players without "burning" a year.  For a curse, it really created a logjam for playing time; hence t

(Photo courtesy of the Jackrabbit Ticket Office Twitter account) For those who have followed the blog over these last four years, you may remember that my "Rants & Raves" are pretty muted for the season finale and more encompassing of the entire state of the program.  This year, will be much of the same following the Jackrabbit's loss to Sam Houston in the National Championship game. Rave: To the players, thank you for this season.  The last year with the COVID pandemic, Presidential election, and civil unrest has been challenging for so many reasons.  This isn't a "shut-up and play ball" post but it is a genuine thank you for giving us something positive to focus on.  The love of the Jackrabbits and football unites across so many of our differences.  It was fun just to have something positive after such a challenging year. Rave: Again, thank you to the players.  You sacrificed your bodies this spring.  You sacrificed much of your social life.  You sacri

It's finally Friday but Sunday somehow still feels like a week away.  As the Jackrabbit Illustrated team got together to decide on the "What to Watch" we had our first moment of truly differing takes of the season.  Let's try to lay it out the best we can. 1. Make the Bearkats Drive the Field The Jackrabbit defense plays tough physical defense that is predicated on the bend but don't break philosophy.  The Bearkat offense is quick strike and doesn't seem to really worry about the time of possession. The Bearkats truly can be electric on offense and that is why the Jackrabbit defense must make them drive the field in order to score.  There cannot be any huge momentum changing 50+ yard touchdowns.  This also means sound tackling on short and intermediate routes.  Keep the 8 yard completion as an 8 yard completion.  Make them drive the field and see if they can play with out making a mistake for 80 yards. 2. Contain Schmid Like most great quarterbacks, you can

The Jackrabbits head to Texas to take on Sam Houston State in the FCS Championship in Frisco.  Sam Houston is coming in with a perfect 9-0 record.  Sam Houston is balanced on offense, plays aggressive defense, and can be explosive on special teams.  K.C. Keeler led Delaware to a National Title in 2003 and has rebuilt an always tough Sam Houston team that used to be more finesse but now is built to win in the trenches.   Offense The Sam Houston offense puts up an outstanding 39 points per game through a balanced attack.  On the ground they go for 160 yards per game and through the air 290.  They possess the ball for only 28:25 per game but are converting on 42% of their down conversions, and have scored on 37 of 43 attempts in the redzone with 28 being touchdowns.   The straw that stirs the drink of the Sam Houston offense is #3 Eric Schmid (6-1, 180).  He is an accomplished passer and may be even more dangerous with his legs.  He has a 60.42% completion percentage for 2,599 yards and

The Jackrabbits are headed to Frisco!  They dominated the Blue Hens on both sides of the ball to secure a 33-3 victory and advance to their first FCS National Championship game.  When it became clear that the Jackrabbits were going to win I found myself getting emotional.  I've been in the stands for so many disappointing semi-final losses where I was SURE the Jackrabbits going to win and if felt cathartic to get over the hump.  Now it is time to win a natty! Rants & Raves Rave: The Jackrabbits dominated the line of scrimmage on both sides of the ball.  The #ChainGang was the most productive statistically that they have been all season and the #605Hogs created a clean pocket for Mark while also creating ample room for Pierre and Isaiah to do what they do. Rave: The Jackrabbit defense as a whole looked really fast and really physical and it seemed to take the wind out of the Blue Hen's sails early on.  The defense allowed just 3.2 yards per play(!), had 7 sacks, and 12 total

1. Control TOP Last week the Jackrabbits scored quickly and SIU used long methodical drives where if felt like they converted on every 3rd down opportunity.  This resulted in SIU being +10 in time of possession.  The defense responded well but we don't think we should put them in this position again.  The defense is deep but it would be nice to give them some more time off the field which obviously means our offense is grinding down their defense. 2. No Turnovers Delaware is dang good at forcing turnovers.  11 interceptions along with 17 forced fumbles is pretty incredible in just a 7 game season.  In addition, the weather forecast shows a chance of rain developing around kickoff over Brookings.  Ball security will be key for everyone who handles the ball.  In a big game like this, a turnover can swing the momentum quickly.  The Jacks have been pretty good at taking care of the ball in the last half of the season and we trust that trend will continue.     3. Tighten up in the Secon

The Jackrabbits have advanced to the semi-finals of the FCS playoffs for the third time in four years and are set to face the Delaware Blue Hens of the CAA.  Delaware bears a striking resemblance to the Jackrabbits in the fact that they are big and physical and prefer to run the ball on offense but yet are very capable passing.  In their opening round win, Delaware defeated Sacred Heart 19-10 and in the second round beat #4 Jacksonville State 20-14 in a very physical matchup. Offense The Blue Hen offense averages 29 points per game and are powered by a stout rushing attack that averages 161 ypg but is balanced by a passing attack that goes for 200 ypg.  Because they run the ball so effectively they hold the ball for an impressive 34 minutes per game.  Truly a ball control offense that wants to wear their opponents down.  In the playoffs they have only rushed for 88 and 108 yards in their two contests.  Strangely, they aren't great on 3rd down converting on just 34.34% of their poss

I’m writing this on Monday morning from the W.W. Tire of Brookings and I’m still on cloud 9 about what we saw last night.  I’m tired, groggy, and writing this from my phone but I’m already making plans for next Saturday!  Jacks win 31-26.  Rants & Raves Rave: Voting already happened but Mark Gronowski showed why he is a front runner for the Jerry Rice award.  13 carries for 142 yards and a TD on the ground and 9 of 16 passing for 183 yards and 2 TD.  Just a tremendous performance.  He missed on a few deep passes that I’m sure he’d love back.  He’s so close on hitting on them though! Rave: Likewise, Pierre Strong and Isaiah Davis combined for 19 carries and 90 yards and a TD.  They were also effective in the passing game catching 3 passes.  I’d like to see them get more touches but in a game where the Jacks were scoring quick at times that is tough to do. Rant: On the Jackrabbits final possession on offense, I just don’t understand attempting to pass on 2nd down.  SIU brought the ho