After clinching Valley title and playoff seed, South Dakota State football prepares for two weeks off
BROOKINGS – South Dakota State knew before the season started that if they accomplished their goal of earning a playoff seed they’d get two weeks off at the end of the season.
That possibility is now a reality, as the top-ranked Jackrabbits finished the regular season 10-1 and undefeated against FCS teams with Saturday’s 31-7 win over Illinois State, a victory that gave SDSU it’s first 10-win regular season and first outright Missouri Valley Football Conference title.
The back-to-back bye weeks are the result of a scheduling quirk that has the Jacks taking their regular season bye on the final week of the regular season (this Saturday), plus the first-round playoff bye that goes to each of the eight teams to earn a seed. The Jacks won’t play again until Dec. 3, when they’ll host the winner of a first-round playoff game.
Back in September, the prospect of taking two weeks off right before a potential national championship run wasn’t exactly appealing. Rest is one thing, rust is another.
More:South Dakota State clinches Missouri Valley Football Conference title
But with the injury toll the Jacks have taken this year, consecutive bye weeks now feels like a gift. Most of SDSU’s starters are dealing with some kind of minor injury or soreness, and a few others have been in and out of the lineup. The big question is middle linebacker Adam Bock, who suffered a significant leg injury three weeks ago at North Dakota. The Jacks are holding out hope the All-American leader of their defense might be able to return when the team resumes play.
“I thought this was gonna be one of the weirdest things, now I rejoice in it based on the health of our team,” said coach John Stiegelmeier.
And while having scheduled byes in consecutive weeks almost never happens, quarterback Mark Gronowski pointed out the Jacks have actually been in a similar situation before. Back in the spring season of 2021 they went a month between games when Illinois State and USD both opted out of their scheduled games with the Jacks due to COVID-19.
They came back after the layoff and beat North Dakota State in Fargo.
“It’ll be great for us overall,” Gronowski said. “We have guys banged up. We’ve got other guys with bumps and bruises that aren’t playing at 100 percent. (The time off) should get us close to full health. We did this in the spring so we’ve done this before and had success with it. I’m not afraid of it, I’m excited for it and the benefits that will come from it.”
COVID seniors have decision to make after season
Senior Day has become more of a fluid event since the pandemic, as the NCAA granted every player who was on a roster during the 2020 season an additional year of eligibility. Not all players take advantage, necessarily, as playing another year of football means another year of school.
About half of the seniors on SDSU’s squad participated in Saturday’s Senior Day festivities, including a few who have the option to return. While that has generally been an indication that those players intend to end their careers after this season, a member of the coaching staff said after the game there is still a chance a few of those players could choose to return.
Seniors who have completely exhausted their eligibility are Malike Lofton, Landon Wolf, Reece Winkelman and Caleb Sanders. They’re done after this year no matter what. Among those who participated in Senior Day but could still return are the Janke twins, Mason McCormick, Garret Greenfield, Cale Reeder and Zach Heins. Seniors who did not walk pregame, indicating they plan to return, include DyShawn Gales, Isaiah Stalbird, Mike Morgan, Quinton Hicks, Cade Terveer, Ryan Van Marel, Keaton Heide and Saiveon Williamson.
Valley title continues conference dominance for SDSU
With a final conference record of 8-0, the Jacks football team joined the SDSU basketball teams in dominating their conference foes in 2022. The women's hoops team was 17-1 in the Summit League, while the men went 18-0, the first team ever to do so.
Combined conference record this year of SDSU's three most high-profile programs?
43-1.
This article originally appeared on Sioux Falls Argus Leader: South Dakota State football has two weeks off for FCS playoffs
