SDSU notebook: New starters show promise, RB Rush For 108 yards on 17 carries, a 6.4 yard Average per carry.
Jackrabbits will need to be sharper against FCS opponents, but there appears to be no shortage of talent where new faces are taking over
STILLWATER, Okla. — South Dakota State introduced several new starters during their 44-20 loss to Oklahoma State on Saturday.
On the offensive side, new faces included guard Ethan Vibert, tackles Sam Hagen and Quinten Christensen, receivers Grahm Goering and Griffin Wilde, running back Amar Johnson, and tight ends Davin Stoffel and Kevin Brenner.
Defensively, cornerback Colby Humphrey, linebacker Caleb Francl, and defensive linemen Levin Vanden Bos, Max Baloun, and Zac Wilson made their debut as starters.
While many of these players possess considerable experience, this was their first opportunity at the top of the depth chart for the Jackrabbits. If there was an expectation that their transition into starting roles would be seamless following the departures of previous stars, Saturday’s game against the 17th-ranked Cowboys revealed that building continuity and consistency takes time.
The performance was inconsistent, but there were hints of promise.
Mark Gronowski was sacked twice and endured some tough hits, but the offensive line also enabled running backs Amar Johnson, Angel Johnson, and Kirby Vorhees to achieve a total of 108 rushing yards on 17 carries, averaging 6.4 yards per attempt.
On the defensive front, the team recorded no sacks and struggled to apply pressure on OSU quarterback Alan Bowman. However, they faced a seasoned offensive line made up of five seniors and still managed to limit the Cowboys’ ground game to 127 yards on 38 carries, averaging 3.3 yards per rush. Heisman hopeful Ollie Gordon gained 104 yards but needed 27 attempts to do so, averaging 3.9 yards per carry, with his longest run being 12 yards.
Wilde and Goering combined for 11 receptions, totaling 219 yards and two touchdowns. Tight ends Stoffel and Greyton Gannon contributed four catches, while Amar Johnson rushed for 73 yards on nine attempts. Several new defensive players also made impactful plays, with Humphrey recording six tackles and performing well in pass coverage. Francl accounted for eight tackles, and Kobe Clayborne, a defensive line transfer from Division II, made four tackles.
It’s tough to assess performance against a Big 12 team that could contend for a spot in the College Football Playoff, but there were clear signs that the talent the Jacks are bringing in will be strong competitors in the Missouri Valley Football Conference.
“At times, they really shined and made some impressive plays against a strong opponent,” coach Jimmy Rogers noted about the new starters and emerging players.
Gronowski added, “I’m really proud of how our team performed against (the Cowboys). They’re a highly experienced and well-coached squad. Our guys played well for lacking experience, but I don’t want to use that as an excuse.”
Rogers acknowledged some early-season challenges stemming from new roles, as the Jacks occasionally struggled to get their preferred personnel on the field in a timely manner.
“The substitutions were really frustrating,” Rogers said. “Several times, after a touchdown, we found ourselves hanging our heads and failing to get players on for the PAT. That’s just embarrassing.”
Offense Teases Mason
Backup quarterback Chase Mason took on a wide receiver role a couple of times, hinting at a potential position for him in this year’s offense. Expected to succeed Gronowski next season, Mason received the ball on a reverse play but, looking to pass, ended up taking a loss instead.
Known as one of the top all-around athletes in recent state history, Mason excelled in baseball and basketball as well as in football, making it logical for the Jacks to utilize him alongside Gronowski rather than just as his backup.
Dustman Shines
Hunter Dustman is in his final year as the Jacks’ kicker and punter, and he kicked off the season on a high note. He successfully made field goals from 31 and 48 yards in a challenging environment and averaged 48 yards on three punts.
Defense Needs Improvement
With OSU showcasing one of the most explosive offenses in college football, it’s tempting to excuse the SDSU defense for facing tough opponents who capitalized on speed and physicality. While that was certainly a factor, the Jacks also recognized the need to take responsibility for their own mistakes. Rogers noted there were several occasions where players were positioned to make tackles or plays on the ball but missed the opportunity.
“There will be things to fix when we watch the film,” said linebacker Adam Bock. “They’re a strong team, but I’m sure when we review the footage, we’ll see some moments where we could have done better.”
A Candid Response
When asked if the loss to OSU could serve as a reality check for a roster filled with players who aren’t used to losing in a Jackrabbit uniform, Rogers gave a straightforward reply. “I’ll say this: this team is different from last year’s squad, and this year’s team hasn’t won a game yet.”