BROOKINGS — After three games, South Dakota State heads into its lone bye week of the season with a 3-0 record. The Jackrabbits have taken down No. 24 Sacramento State, No. 4 Montana State, and Drake, showing flashes of dominance but also areas that need work. Here’s a breakdown of the positives and negatives so far.
Positives
Defense
SDSU’s defense has been one of the early strengths. The Jacks rank eighth nationally in total defense (260 yards allowed per game), 22nd against the run (118.3), and 13th against the pass (141.7). Opponents are converting just 28% on third down (11-of-39), and SDSU has allowed only one fourth-down conversion on six attempts. They’ve also forced six turnovers and are tied for fifth in the country with nine sacks.
Junior lineman Dawson Ripperda said the group has shown flashes of its elite form from past seasons but emphasized the need for attention to detail.
Chase Mason
In his first three starts, quarterback Chase Mason hasn’t put up eye-popping numbers but has displayed poise. He’s thrown for 589 yards and five touchdowns while completing 71.2% of his passes and avoiding interceptions. His favorite target has been Lofton O’Groske, who leads the team with 23 receptions for 279 yards and two scores. Mason has also contributed on the ground, rushing for 115 yards—172 if sacks are excluded.
Dan Jackson
First-year head coach Dan Jackson has managed his debut smoothly. His fourth-down decisions, including several against Drake, have been calculated and preplanned, not reckless. At 3-0, he has the team playing with belief in his system and confidence in its championship potential.
Negatives
Running Back Depth
While Julius Loughridge and Mason have carried the offense on the ground—accounting for 456 of SDSU’s 574 rushing yards—the lack of depth is concerning. Relying so heavily on two players could pose durability issues over a 12-game season. True freshmen Corey Blair Jr. and James Basinger, along with sophomore Brenden Begeman, provide promise, with Blair and Basinger scoring their first touchdowns against Drake.
Special Teams
Mistakes on special teams have been a recurring theme. In the opener, a muffed punt gave Sacramento State its only points, while kicker Eli Stader missed two field goals. Stader also missed kicks against Montana State and Drake, while punter Max Pelham had a costly mishap against the Bobcats that led to a touchdown.
Against Drake, Stader missed again, prompting Jackson to turn to freshman Ryan Harrington, who connected from 37 yards. Jackson hasn’t named a permanent starter at kicker but praised Harrington’s composure.
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