Insights As South Dakota Elite Gifted Star Adds Another Significant Wrinkle To Jackrabbits’ Offense

Junior quarterback’s breakout against Youngstown State could help him contribute down the stretch

BROOKINGS — If not for Hobo Day, South Dakota State’s 63-13 victory over Youngstown State might have been nicknamed “The Chase Mason Game.”

While Mason had been included in various packages during the first five games, Saturday’s win felt like a true showcase for him. He had a few notable runs in the first half, including touchdown sprints of 38 and 48 yards. As the game progressed, Mason took on the quarterback role, delivering a 69-yard run that led to a four-yard touchdown pass in the fourth quarter.

“It was a lot of fun to play in that game,” Mason said. “I think everyone’s energy was contagious … I just fed off it, and they fed off me too. When I’m in there, I know there’s hard work ahead. It’s great to have an opportunity like that.”

With 166 rushing yards and three total touchdowns, it seemed like the Jackrabbits had unlocked a valuable asset in their offense. For Mason, it was a chance to leverage his remarkable athleticism and finally make an impact.

Saturday’s performance wasn’t Mason’s first notable outing at Dana J. Dykhouse Stadium. Back in 2019, as a junior at Viborg-Hurley, he amassed 400 total yards in a 50-24 win over Bon Homme, helping lead the Cougars to their first 9AA state championship.

That performance was just a glimpse of his stellar junior year, during which he threw for over 2,000 yards and rushed for over 1,000, earning All-State honors. However, he also excelled in other sports, playing basketball in winter and participating in track and field during the spring. On the baseball field, he made a significant impact; Perfect Game ranked him as the No. 33 outfielder and 205th overall in the Class of 2021. After he tore his ACL during his senior football season, the idea of pursuing a professional baseball career became more appealing.

Although Mason returned for track season, he committed to playing center field for Nebraska, where he was ranked as the No. 6 incoming freshman in the Big Ten. Despite this promising path in baseball, his passion remained with football. After a semester in Lincoln without playing for the Cornhuskers, he transferred to SDSU in January 2022 to focus on football full-time.

“It’s not that I didn’t like baseball, I just didn’t love it,” Mason explained. “At this level, you have to love what you do every single day.”

Mason was on track to join the Jacks when he suffered a second ACL tear in his right knee. While this setback was tough, he credits SDSU athletic trainer Charlie Miller and his earlier rehab experience for helping him recover.

He also developed a bond with starting quarterback Mark Gronowski, who had gone through a similar injury during his freshman season in the 2021 spring championship game. Gronowski encouraged Mason to “embrace the monotony of the process,” focusing on small goals during his rehab.

“Those days can get pretty dull, but if you set small goals, you can see your progress along the way,” Gronowski recalled. “Chase did that, came back even faster, and seems more athletic than before.”

Initially, Mason found the injury disappointing, but he believes it ultimately helped him. His relationship with Gronowski strengthened as he served as a signal caller on the sidelines during the 2022 season, which helped him master the playbook before becoming Gronowski’s backup the following year.

“I feel like he could depend on me, and we related on the whole experience of our knee injuries and sitting out a season,” Mason said. “It sucks, but missing a whole year is a different challenge. I learned a lot just by observing him.”

In 2023, Mason has seen more playtime late in games, completing 16 of 26 passes for 267 yards, including a 71-yard touchdown to Griffin Wilde in a national semifinal against UAlbany. He also added 16 carries for 184 yards and a touchdown.

When Gronowski returned to SDSU in the spring, it seemed Mason might have to wait to make his mark. However, the Jacks’ coaching staff began developing game plans to incorporate him more.

After six games, Mason has completed 6 of 8 passes for 51 yards and a touchdown, along with 24 rushes for 256 yards and four touchdowns.

“He’s too talented to be sitting on the sidelines, and we have to find ways to use him,” SDSU head coach Jimmy Rogers stated after Saturday’s win over the Penguins. “As a coaching staff, we’ve done a good job of calling plays at the right times. He’s tough to bring down, and with his throwing ability, he’s a genuine dual threat.”

Whether fans will see more of Mason remains uncertain. Rogers has been cautious, acknowledging the risks of putting him on the field but emphasizing the importance of playing the best talents.

“We need to balance having success and protecting him because he’s a vital part of our team,” Rogers said. “If something happens to Mark, we’re going to Chase. We need to be strategic and not rush things.”

Rogers referenced Montana State’s experience last season, where a similar dynamic with quarterbacks led to issues later on in the year.

“If you look at what happened to Montana State’s team last year … losing one quarterback means losing part of your playbook,” Rogers noted. “We have to focus on executing basic plays with great technique this week. Will he play a role in this game? Absolutely. To what extent? We’re still working that out.”

Even if Mason’s role in the upcoming game against the Bison isn’t extensive, he’s likely to contribute in some capacity. Gronowski praises Mason for his growth over the past three years and believes Mason is poised to take over as the starter when Gronowski departs.

This dynamic defies the notion that having two quarterbacks means neither is solid. For now, SDSU has a clear starter and a highly athletic player eager to make his mark—potentially leading to another performance remembered as “The Chase Mason Game.”

“I just want to contribute in any way possible,” Mason said. “Whether that be at running back, tight end, quarterback, or anything else, I just want to help the team.”