Jackrabbit Illustrated

The new December signing day makes the February signing day feel different, but still super exciting for those of us who follow recruitment carefully.  For all of you wet blankets out there, yes, we don't truly know how good a class is until a few years down the road.  Yes, high school dominance doesn't always translate to college success.  However, getting new talent into your program is exciting and is something that should be celebrated.  These young student athletes are making a big decision and choosing to be a part of a culture, a program, and a tradition of success.  Lets celebrate that instead of raining on the parade. With that being said, here are the additions from today's signing day. RB: Jefferson Lee V , 5'9 190, Marshall, MN FB: Mike Morgan , 6'3 210, New Lenox, IL (Lincoln-Way) WR: Jadon Janke , 6'3 190, Madison, SD WR: Jaxon Janke ,6'3 195, Madison, SD OL: Zach Collins , 6'3 297, Fridley, MN (Totino-Grace) DE: Alex Parrella...

Now that we are just one day away, it is time to put a bow on this week.  There are tons of rumors swirling online that JMU could be without their starting tight end, Jonathan Kloosterman, who is primarily a blocker and also starting corner Curtis Oliver may not play.  JMU is banged up but still incredibly talented.  Most of the prognosticators are favoring JMU by a touchdown or less.  I still think the Jacks win this game but I am expecting a battle. 3 Matchups to Watch 1. Jackrabbit pass rush vs. JMU QB Bryan Schor The Jackrabbits pass rush has picked up the second half of the season.  I would hope the Jacks would follow the formula they used to stymie NDSU.  Stop the run on 1st & 2nd down and then apply pressure and force the QB to leave the pocket and throw on the run.  Against Weber State it appeared that Schor really struggled throwing on the move.  I hope the Jacks attack with the same game plan.  Ryan Earith, Kellen Soulek,...

See you next week Jackrabbits! #GoJacks pic.twitter.com/D7DEmRiqDG — Jackrabbit_Illstrtd (@JackIllustrated) December 3, 2017 What a beautiful day!  As many fans have noted, it was just a fun atmosphere on Saturday.  Most fans that I visited with were confident in the win and that the Jacks were going to redeem themselves and get revenge on a good UNI team.  The fans that were in attendance were active and engaged. 3 Matchups to Watch Revisited 1. Jordan Brown vs. #10 Daurice Fountain This matchup was a battle. All. Day. Long.  Fountain finished with 3 receptions for 28 yards and 1 TD.  The touchdown catch was a terrific play by Fountain as him and Brown were both battling fiercely for the ball.  However, Fountain was held without a reception for the entire second half. This was a big win for Jordan and a big win for the Jacks defense. 2. Charlie Harmon and Tyler Weir vs. #99 Adam Reth and #7 Rickey Neal This matchup was much more even than...

After a bye week, the Jackrabbit football team returns to action to face MVFC rival, UNI.  Jackrabbit fans may want to forget the ugly Hobo Day defeat but there are many lessons to be learned.  Here are the Rants & Raves from that game which was more of a pep-talk then anything.  Since winning in Brookings, UNI finished with wins against Youngstown, USD, Missouri State, and Indiana State with their only loss coming in Fargo to the Bison.  They also notched a dominate first round victory over Monmouth, of the Big South Conferene, by a score of 46-7.   UNI is certainly playing much better than they were before the first matchup with SDSU; which most UNI fans would associate as the turning point of their season. Offense As much as UNI has changed since the first meeting they still do many things the same way.  They come in scoring 30 points per game.  While performing really well in the red-zone scoring on 44 of 47 attempts.  They...

Where did this regular season go?  It feels like I was just at the first practice back in July sweating in the sun.  This has been another great season for the Missouri Valley Football Conference, the top conference in the FCS.  As we move to the post-season I thought it would be fun to create a "Jackrabbit Illustrated All-Conference Team." I set out creating this list and thought it wouldn't be too hard.  However, certain positions really created some problems.  Quarterback, wide receiver, and linebacker especially.  Streveler was the most valuable player for his team and ultimately that is why I went with him.  At wide receiver, the MVFC has some amazing players.  I went with Wieneke over others who have greater stats because of the double coverage he faced nearly every week.  I left Deluca off of the list because he didn't seem to hit his stride until about halfway through the conference season.  Still a great player but Taylor...

What a game!  It certainly wasn't pretty at times but that is often how rivalry games play out.  The Jacks beat a good Coyote team in front of a packed Dakota Dome.  The Jacks made their share of mistakes and left points on the field but they found a way to win and that is what matters. 3 Matchups to Watch Revisited 1.  The 3 Amigos vs. the USD secondary Jake finished with 2 receptions for 80 yards and 2 TDs, including a vintage 69 yard catch and run after bouncing off two defenders.  However, Jake did have 4 drops, tough catches, but drops none the less.  Dallas had 11 receptions for 117 yards including an epic catch for a first down late in the game.  Taryn had a good day with his legs and arm, rushing for 38 and throwing for 299 and 3 TDs.  But he did miss on a few throws that I'm sure he'd like to have back.  This was a big win for SDSU.     2. The Jackrabbit offensive line vs. the USD defensive line This was a good matc...

This game week has drug along.  The anticipation for both fan bases is huge.  The trash talk between fan bases is getting to the point where it is no longer friendly.  Saturday, 2pm, needs to get here now.   Besides the off-field garbage, there is so much to play for.  SDSU with a win, could be a 4, 5, or 6 seed. They would also share the MVFC conference title for the 2nd year in a row if NDSU were to lose to Illinois State. USD with a win would basically assure itself a spot in the playoffs.  They would also clinch their first winning record in MVFC play.  USD would have an outside shot of getting a seed and having a first round bye if they were to win.  This is by far the biggest matchup since the rivalry renewed 5 years ago in terms of playoff implications for both teams. 3 Matchups to Watch 1.  The 3 Amigos vs. the USD secondary Taryn, Jake, and Dallas have picked up this nickname from opposing coaches on the MVFC conference call....

Did you know that the Jackrabbit came before the Coyote?  I'm not just talking the transition to Division 1, I'm talking creation.  The oldest rabbit fossil is 53 million years old .  The oldest coyote fossil is just a mere 38 thousand years old .  Again, Jackrabbits before Coyotes. In all seriousness, the Showdown Series that will be played in Vermillion this coming Saturday has huge implications for both squads.  If USD loses 4 out of their final 5 games and finishes 7-4, they may be in danger of missing the playoffs, especially with so many other schools on the bubble.  If they win, they are in, no doubt.  If SDSU loses, they likely lose their seed and would play a game on the Saturday after Thanksgiving.  If they win, they likely will be a 4-5 seed, have a bye, and could host multiple playoff games.  This rivalry didn't need any more fuel but knowing all this is on the line should only add to it. In only his second season, Bob Ni...

Illinois State is coming into this game absolutely believing that they can win and they are playing for the playoff lives.  Realistically they need 1 win in the next two weeks to get to seven wins and likely guarantee their spot.  The Jackrabbits will need to start fast, break their spirit, and put them away.  In their losses, Illinois State has been a terrible second half team.  It looks like beautiful weather now for Saturday and it shouldn't be a factor in the outcome. 3 Matchups to Watch 1. The Lawfirm (Brown, Johnson, Lewis, and Anderson) vs.  Willie Edwards and DraShane Glass It is likely that Illinois State's outstanding corner, Davontae Harris, will be matched up with Jake Wieneke for most of the game.  The other Illinois State corners, Willie Edwards and DraShane Glass, are quality corners; Glass has 1 INT in each of the past two games.  Last week against WIU, receivers and tight ends not named Jaelon Acklin totaled 14 receptions for ...

This is a dangerous game; a "trap-game." The Jacks are coming off of the emotional high of defeating NDSU.  Next week the Rabbits take on in-state rival USD.  Illinois State (6-3) needs one more win to really have a chance of  making the FCS playoffs.  Their final two games are at SDSU and then they host NDSU to wrap up the regular season.  Illinois State has been incredibly unpredictable this season.  One week they look look terrible (losing to SIU 7-42) and then the next week like a top-10 FCS squad (defeating USD 37-21).  Last week they blew a 14-0 halftime lead against WIU and ended up surrendering 31 unanswered second half points. The Jackrabbits will again need their best effort of the season to win this game as it is a near "must win" for Illinois State.  The Redbirds beat the Jackrabbits in 2016, 38-21 by creating a lot of pressure on quarterback Taryn Christion and forced him into uncharacteristic mistakes.  Offense ...

Wow! What a game for the Jackrabbits coming away with a 52-24 victory.  I certainly had my doubts but the Jacks proved me wrong.  That was the offense we saw in the second half against MSU and that was the defense that we had hoped for heading into the season. HIGHLIGHTS: @GoJacksFB comes away with a big win at Western. https://t.co/qxfbD502sw — #GoJacks (@GoJacksSDSU) October 29, 2017 3 Matchups to Watch Review 1. Jackrabbit defensive line vs. WIU running game The Jackrabbit defense did a good job for the most part taking away the run; only allowing 130 yards on 22 attempts.  Yes, they allowed the 39 yard run to McShane but the defensive line did a good job of stringing him out. The Jacks just needed to tackle better.  Overall, this was a win for the Jacks as they held WIU to 42 less yards than their season average.   2. Jackrabbit passing game vs. WIU cornerbacks This was a huge victory for the Jackrabbits.  The WIU corners were outmatched...

Tomorrow at 1pm the Jackrabbits take on Western Illinois University.  I'm nervous for this game.  Mathematically this isn't a "must win" but mentally it is.  WIU is a good and balanced offense.  They have an experienced offensive line with two skilled running backs.  Their defense is okay but is susceptible to the big play. 3 Matchups to Watch      1. Jackrabbit defensive line vs. WIU running game To be frank, this is the matchup that will decide the game.  In the Jacks two losses, the opponents controlled the time of possession and kept the Jackrabbit offense on the sidelines for long stretches.  The WIU offensive line is big and experienced.  They come in averaging 172.9 rushing yards per game and out perform their opponents in time of possession.  The Jackrabbit defense is yielding 172.3 yards per game but it is not a higher number because of strong efforts in the non-conference season.  In the four MVFC games,...

With snow in the air this morning it is easy to believe that winter sports season is upon us!  The first to tip-off was the women's basketball squad.  Last night they took on Minnesota State University Moorhead in exhibition action.  The Jacks won convincing 93-58 with all healthy players getting game action. If you haven't watched it yet, here is a video preview that came out last week. Here are 3 thoughts I have from the game. 1.  Depth The Jacks will make a return to the deeper line-up that has really been the backbone of their successes since Aaron Johnston (AJ) has been the coach.  The past two seasons have maybe featured a shorter bench then the Jacks are used to.  As fans it is fun to watch as entire new 5 check-in.  It frustrates the opposing coaches and wears down the opposing players.  In the past there hasn't been much, if any, of a drop-off in talent from the first 5 to the second 5.  In preseason interviews,  A...

This week the South Dakota State University Jackrabbits (5-2 and 2-2) look to build on an impressive second half against Missouri State and travel to Macomb, Illinois to take on the Western Illinois Leathernecks (5-2 and 2-2).  WIU is a loaded with talented upperclassmen.  All but one of their starters on offense or defense is a junior or senior.  WIU is coming off of a tough loss to NDSU (24-12) and will be looking to stay in playoff contention, just like the Jackrabbits.  In 2016, the Jacks won this matchup 52-14 in Brookings to open MVFC play. Offense WIU features a balanced offensive attack.  QB Sean McGuire and RB Steve McShane are equally capable of taking a game over and winning it.  The Leathernecks average 37.57 ppg with 172.9 yards per game and 260 passing yards per game.  They are efficient in the redzone, converting on 23 of 25 opportunities and are good for a 41% conversion rate on 3rd down.  So far, McGuire has only been sacked...

This seemed to be a tale of two halves... but I sure I liked what I saw in the second half! "3 Matchups to Watch" Review 1. Jordan Brown vs. Malik Earl Jordan faced another one of the Valley's top receivers.  He shadowed him MOST of the game but MSU tried to take advantage when he didn't.  Earl's 44 yard gain came when another CB was on him so Brown held Earl to just 5 receptions for 30 yards and 0 TDS and drew a huge offensive pass interference in the first half.   2. Tyler Weir/Evan Greeneway vs. Colby Isbell  Tyler Weir played a really good game.  Isbell only managed two tackles, 1 for a loss, and zero sacks.  Neutralizing him was a big factor in the passing games success.  Greeneway did okay at left tackle after right guard Wes Genant left with a lower leg injury and Charlie Harmon moved to guard.  I felt the offense played a little better with Harmon at left tackle and Eddie Miller at guard. 3. Jackrabbit run defense vs. MSU option ...