South Dakota State (1-1) at Augustana (1-0)
When/where: Saturday, 6 p.m. at Dana J. Dykhouse Stadium
TV/Radio: Midco Sports, ESPN+ | Collegian Sports on KSDJ-FM, AM 910 KJJQ, Jackrabbit Sports Network
Weather: Partly sunny with thunderstorms, 79 degrees at kickoff
Three storylines
Old NCC rivals: SDSU and Augie have met a total of 62 times on the field but have not played each other in 20 years. Their last matchup, a 38-9 win on Hobo Day 2004 at Couglin-Alumni Stadium, was the Jackrabbit’s first year as a Division 1 school. Both South Dakota State and Augustana, then known as Augustana College, were members of the North Central Conference in NCAA’s Division II. Both teams have found success since the early 2000s with the Jacks winning national championships and the Vikings losing to top-ranked Colorado School of Mines in the Division II playoffs.
Passing game thrives: One concern for Jackrabbit Nation heading into the year was SDSU’s receiving corps. Although it’s early, those thoughts have taken a back seat. The Jacks lost four of their top-five pass catchers from a year ago, headlined by Jadon and Jaxon Janke and tight end Zach Heins. They did, however, return their third top receiver in Griffen Wilde who caught 20 passes for just under 400 yards last year. This year, through two games, Wilde has led the passing attack already catching 17 throws for 256 yards and 3 scores. Be on the lookout for him and Grahm Goering to be powerful weapons for the Jackrabbit offense.
Beef Bowl: One of the most exciting things about gameday on Saturday are the circumstances surrounding the game. The Beef Bowl, which was started as SDSU’s way of recognizing those involved in the beef industry in South Dakota, will be taking place as well. In the past, festivities for the game have included a pre-game barbecue, a presentation of the SDSU Friends of the Beef Industry Award and a live steer auction at halftime. To relate it back to football, the Jackrabbits have a 35-21 record in the 56 previous Beef Bowls and have won the last six.
What to know
South Dakota State Jackrabbits
The Jacks picked up their first win of the year last week and look to continue the trend moving forward.
This season, SDSU has scored a total of 65 points but the team has been outscored by opponents by three points.
Hunter Dustman is currently 8-8 on point after conversions this season and 3-4 on field goals.
At the helm of this offense is graduate student Mark Gronowski. The Illinois native has thrown for six touchdowns and 549 yards with a 60.29% completion percentage. Though averaging an impressive 274.50 yards per game from the air, Gronowski also averages an inception per game.
Griffin Wilde was one of many backups who turned starter this season and has been excelling at the receiver position. The sophomore has caught 17 passes (5th in the nation) for 256 yards (3rd in the nation).
“He [Wilde] was capable last year [for big performances],” said Rogers. “I’d say it more than anything that he worked really hard at changing his body. He looks really good right now; he’s put together and gained about 20 lbs. and he looks faster.”
Wilde also leads the Jacks in receiving touchdowns on the year with three to his name.
Grahm Goering has averaged a touchdown a game on seven receptions this season. The junior has racked up 119 yards this season while averaging 17 yards per reception.
In his first season as the starter, tailback Amar Johnson has shown great things for the Jackrabbit offense with 185 yards on 28 carries. With help from his offensive line, Amar Johnson has yet to be tackled behind the line of scrimmage while rushing.
The speedster Angel Johnson currently holds 69 rushing yards on 12 attempts.
Defensively, three-time team captain Adam Bock leads the team with 21 on the year. Over half of Bock’s stops are solo tackles.
Caleb Francl follows Bock with 15 tackles on the season while Mathew Durrance has 14. Durrance showed out big in week two against Incarnate Word with an eight-tackle game (seven solos) and a fumble recovery.
Defensive back Dayls Beanum leads the team in force fumbles with one on the year.
Augustana Vikings
For Augustana, Gunnar Hensley showed out in a dominant performance in their first bout, throwing 14-18 for 219 yards and two passing touchdowns.
The sophomore also rushed for eight yards and a touchdown in their first game.
Hensley found receiver Isaiah Huber six times last game, which Huber turned into 40 yards throughout the game.
Though it is tailback Max Grand who leads the Vikings in receiving yards right now, thanks to a 56-yard touchdown against the University of Mary.
Matt Francis and Jack Fisher also caught multiple balls in their first week of action. Francis pulled in two with a total of 43 yards while Fisher had four catches, 36 yards and a score.
Senior Jarod Epperson leads the backfield for the Vikings. Epperson has 11 carries on the season for 57 yards.
Grand pulled in a total of two touchdowns in their opener, one from the air and one on the ground.
Former Jackrabbit Canyon Bauer brought in a rushing touchdown of his own from a yard out as well.
On defense, Augie’s Kade Lynott leads the team in tackles with six on the season. Alex Belongia has five while Ryan Isaiah and Haden Wallace each have four.
Three Vikings have racked up two sacks in their first game (Myles Taylor, Christian Connelly and Will Davis).
