South Dakota State (2-1) at Southeastern Louisiana (1-0)
When/where: Saturday, 6 p.m. at Strawberry Stadium in Hammond, La.
TV/Radio: ESPN+ | Jackrabbit Sports Network on AM 910 KJJQ
Weather: Mostly sunny, clear and humid, 86 degrees at kickoff
Three storylines
The offense looks to bounce back: While the Jackrabbit defense performed spectacularly against the DII Augustana Vikings, holding them to just 3 points, the offense side of the ball proved to be a bit behind their counterpart.
Amar Johnson paced the offensive side with 216 yards on 17 carries scoring once. The other two touchdowns produced by the Jacks came courtesy of Mark Gronowski, but both were on the ground. The other three points were supplemented by Hunter Dustman’s leg from 29 yards out late in the first half.
SDSU will be looking to shake that game off and put some juice in the passing game and put some more points on the board against the Lions. — Brayden Byers, editor-in-chief and Collegian Sports broadcast director
Injuries loom large: The injuries are starting to stack up for the defending back-to-back champs. Starting offensive linemen Sam Hagen and Ethan Vibert as well as running back Angel Johnson are all being held out against SLU this weekend. On the defensive side, safeties Cale Reeder and Tucker Large and defensive end Reis Kirschenman are expected to miss as well. — Brayden Byers, editor-in-chief and Collegian Sports broadcast director
Bye week is next: Going right alongside the previous point made, the Jackrabbits want to get out of Hammond with a win and no more injuries. They have an extra week to heal up and prepare for what might be a tough game to start off the conference schedule at the UNI Dome against the Northern Iowa Panthers. — Brayden Byers, editor-in-chief and Collegian Sports broadcast director
What to know
South Dakota State Jackrabbits
The Jacks will walk into this matchup at a 2-1 record, losing to FBS Oklahoma State before beating both Incarnate Word and DII Augustana.
This season, the Jacks have averaged 29.67 points per game while allowing opponents 23.67, with the outliers of giving up 44 points to Oklahoma State and allowing only three points to Augustana.
Leading this team on the gridiron is quarterback Mark Gronowski who has thrown for 690 yards this season.
The Illinois native has thrown for six scores this season, but has thrown four inceptions in three games, one-off from where he finished last season with five.
Gronowski has found receiver Griffin Wilde 23 times this season, over double the amount of his second option. Wilde has amounted to 303 yards in three games, the 12th most in the nation.
The sophomore also leads the Jacks in receiving touchdowns on the year with three through three games.
With nine catches on the season, Grahm Goering has proven to be a good company to Wilde, racking up 144 yards so far this season while bringing in two touchdowns.
Since former SDSU back Isaish Davis was drafted, Amar Johnson has filled the role of starting tailback well the for rabbits, leading the team in rushing with 311 yards (103.67 yards per game, 14th highest in the country) on 45 carries and three scores.
Angel Johnson has proved to be a solid backup, resulting in 69 yards on 12 carries.
Defensively, Adam Bock leads the Jacks in tackles with 25 on the season with fellow linebacker Caleb Francl in second on the team with 18.
Safety, Mathew Durrance, has recorded 17 on the season as well (ten solo, seven assisted).
Bock also leads the team in tackles for loss with three on the year while defensive end, Dawson Ripperda, has tallied 1.5 sacks on the season (leads team). — Marshall Minihan, Collegian Sports editor
Southeastern Louisiana Lions
The Lions prance into this bout with a 1-2 record on the season, beating Eastern Washington last weekend and losing to Southern Miss and Tulane, two schools at the FBS level.
“We have a challenge ahead of us,” said Rogers. “They have great team speed on both sides of the ball, really physical line and d-line and a bunch of playmakers.”
Running back Anthonio Martin Jr. has made a splash in his sophomore season this year, rushing for 340 yards (8th in the nation) and one touchdown. Martin Jr.’s 63 rushing attempts are the 4th most in the FCS.
Eli Sawyer holds a 59.49% completion percentage (47-79) this season with a pair of touchdowns, as well as interceptions. The redshirt junior has tallied up 324 yards this season.
The Lions have two wide receivers over the 80-yard mark this season in Darius Louis and Jaylon Domingeaux. The redshirt senior Lewis has caught 18 passes for 127 yards and a touchdown this season while teammate Domingeaux has racked up 89 yards on eight receptions.
Coryell Pierce leads the team in tackles with 19 as Donte’ Daniels follows closely with 18. Warren Peeples has tallied two tackles behind the line of scrimmage this season and is tied in first with sacks on the team with one on the year. — Marshall Minihan, Collegian Sports editor
