South Dakota

Augustana excited to challenge FCS champion South Dakota State

Published

4 months ago

September 11, 2024

Augustana excited to challenge FCS champion South Dakota State

SIOUX FALLS — For several years now, the other college football programs in South Dakota have been operating in the shadow of the Jackrabbits.

That may have been a controversial statement at one time, but anyone objecting to it now is not living in reality.

South Dakota State’s opponent this week, the Augustana Vikings, are certainly not going to argue with the pecking order.

The Jackrabbits are reigning two-time Division I FCS national champions, they sell out home games in 19,000 seat Dana J. Dykhouse Stadium, have more than a half-dozen alumni in the NFL and are respected at the highest levels of the sport.

The Vikings are in the midst of arguably the most successful era in their program’s long and storied history, reigning NSIC champions and the 14th-ranked team in Division II, but they are, still, a Division II team.

The most recent Division II teams to visit Brookings, Lindenwood and Western Oregon, were defeated 52-7 and 45-7, respectively.

Augustana’s players and coaches know all about this. They’ve watched the Jackrabbits play in Frisco on ABC. They watched them play Oklahoma State in this year’s season opener. They see Dallas Goedert and Tucker Kraft and Christian Rozeboom play on Sundays.

Most of the Vikings probably never dreamed their team would play this team. But ever since it was announced last spring, it’s been circled on the calendar. The Vikings know they’re big underdogs, and they can’t wait to get it on.

“You want to see how good you are in the grand scheme of things,” said defensive end Will Davis. “When you hear names like (SDSU quarterback) Mark Gronowski and some of those other guys, that’s exciting. It gets you pumped. I feel like our expectations are always the same regardless of the opponent but this is definitely different than our other games. There’s going to be a huge crowd and they’re going to be a big challenge.”

Whatever bad blood there was when both teams were in the D2 North Central Conference has subsided. Augustana coach Jerry Olszewski became an admirer of the Jacks and former coach John Stiegelmeier not long after arriving in Sioux Falls, and that respect hasn’t wavered since Jimmy Rogers took over. Olszewski mentions the Jackrabbits often when talking about the things he’s trying to accomplish with his program, and he’s sent assistant coaches up to Brookings. Former SDSU co-defensive coordinator Brian Bergstrom first had that role under Olszewski (he’s now the head coach at Winona State) and current SDSU running backs coach Robbie Rouse also previously had that job with the Vikings. Jackrabbit offensive quality control assistant Kyle Saddler was a record-setting quarterback for Augie under Olszewski.

“They’re on top and they’ve earned it,” said Coach ‘OJ’ as he’s known by friends and colleagues. “We know who they are and how gifted and talented they are but that’s what makes this such a great opportunity for us.”

The respect is mutual. At his Tuesday press conference Rogers noted his admiration for Olszewski and how well the two coaching staffs have gotten along when they’ve crossed paths over the years.

And Rogers was complimentary of what he sees on film, too.

“They’re really good,” Rogers said of the Vikings. “They’re big up front, especially on the O-line, they’ve got a mature running back (Jarod Epperson) who’s been a three-time all-conference player — he’s very impressive. Their wide receiver corps has been impressive. We’ve got our hands full with their skill. Some of these guys are not much different than what we have on our team.”

Augustana’s offensive line puts in work on Tuesday, Sept. 10, 2024 at Jim Heinitz Field.

Matt Zimmer/Sioux Falls Live

That might sound like the kind of empty platitude an overdog coach throws out as a way of playing nice with a lesser opponent, but Rogers means it. He’s talked often about how many of the Jacks best players were mostly recruited by Division II schools, and pointed to several standout Jackrabbits in recent years who transferred to SDSU from a Division II school and became starters or key contributors.

“They have several guys who can play at (the FCS) level,” Rogers said. “We’re not going to take anybody lightly. We need to prepare and plan to execute like how we would if we were playing anybody else. We didn’t feel any less than Oklahoma State and they’re not gonna feel any less than us. We’re not gonna disrespect what it takes to win.”

Still, the Vikings know they’re going to be outmanned. That doesn’t mean they can’t compete, but it means their margin for error will be razor thin. Epperson is probably as good as any running back the Jacks will face in the Valley, while the Viking defense has a lot in common with SDSU’s — deep and skilled at all three levels. The Vikings are also going to be playing in front of a sold-out crowd of more than 19,000 fans. The biggest crowds they get in Division II are their home games, typically between 2,000 and 3,000. Some of their road games in the NSIC are played in front of three-digit crowds.

“Their defense reminds me of our defense — the way they move to the ball and put 11 hats on the ball,” Epperson said. “It should be an interesting day to be a running back, that’s for sure. But it’ll be awesome. I’d like to think I thrive in an environment like that and will feed off the energy of a big crowd that’s against you. It should be a fun atmosphere. This is a chance to see where our program is at and how we stack up to the big boys at SDSU. “

There is some familiarity among the players. Viking receiver Canyon Bauer is a former Jackrabbit who has a national championship ring from 2022. And Davis said while he only knows a few guys on the Jacks roster, he smiled reading through their roster, recognizing names of people he played against or remembered from his high school days in the Twin Cities area.

Augustana running backs go through a drill at practice on Tuesday, Sept. 10, 2024 at Jim Heinitz Field.

The Vikings should have a solid contingent of fans, but the fact that SDSU now sells out home games means there probably weren’t enough tickets to accommodate every Augie fan that wanted to go.

Can Augie win? Olszewski said it’s important for his team to believe they can, but talk won’t do it. He’s not talking to his team about beating the Jackrabbits — he’s focusing his message on being at their absolute best, because it’ll take nothing less than that to even have a chance.

“We talk about competing,” said the Viking coach, who is 75-41 in 12 years at the helm. “You’re going there to compete. The wins and losses take care of themselves on the scoreboard, but you better believe you’re gonna compete against anybody you go up against, because that’s what you’re called to do. That’s been our message all summer and certainly this week. It starts with us. We’ve got to be our best if we’re going to do anything against a program like the Jacks.”

Matt Zimmer is a Sioux Falls native and longtime sports writer. He graduated from Washington High School where he played football, legion baseball and developed his lifelong love of the Minnesota Twins and Vikings. After graduating from St. Cloud State University, he returned to Sioux Falls, and began a long career in amateur baseball and sports reporting. Email Matt at mzimmer@siouxfallslive.com.

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South Dakota

Mizzou wins double header against South Dakota, Northern Illinois

Published

8 hours ago

January 20, 2025

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Mizzou wins double header against South Dakota, Northern Illinois

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South Dakota

Sunday Forecast: Western South Dakota in for a Frigid MLK day

Published

15 hours ago

January 19, 2025

Press Room

Sunday Forecast: Western South Dakota in for a Frigid MLK day

BLACK HILLS REGION, S.D. – Many folks have a three day weekend in observance of Martin Luther King Jr. Day! And it will be a good day to stay inside and stay warm. The National Weather Service has issued an Extreme Cold Warning for portions of western South Dakota and northeast Wyoming. Wind chills are expected to be as low as -45° especially in the Northen Hills. Other offices have followed suit with Extreme cold Warnings covering most of the Northern Plains.

This extreme cold is unusual and potentially dangerous, with the National Weather Service forecasting “the coldest wind chill readings of this outbreak”. The Extreme Cold Warning for our region is in effect from 7pm this evening to 11am tomorrow, with a Cold Weather Advisory until 8am Tuesday.

Expect a high around 9°F in Rapid City with an overnight low of -14°F. Wind chills will bottom out around -30°F just after sunrise. The Deadwood area will see similar conditions, with an overnight low around -19°F and wind chills potentially plummeting to -45°F or even lower! Winds will be relatively calm tonight at 5 to 10 mph but will pick up to 10 to 20 mph with gusts up to 35 mph by tomorrow morning. This is why the wind chill will be coldest around sunrise rather than in the midnight hours.

Monday Morning Wind Chill

Per Lundquist

There is still some slight flurries falling over northeastern Wyoming, which could lead to icy and partially snow-covered roads, but things will be clear by this evening. Clear skies at night typically help cool temperatures even further, because the surface of the Earth radiates off infrared radiation into space, which is a loss of energy and causes temperature to fall. With no sunshine to replenish that energy and no cloud cover to keep it from escaping, we’re going to cool off quite a bit.

It’s important to remember that frostbite can occur quickly in extreme cold, and with wind chills, it can happen even faster. According to University of Colorado Health, when the temperature is 5°F and the wind speed is 30 mph, frostbite can develop in just 30 minutes. At -5°F with the same wind speed, it may set in within 10 minutes. With wind chills expected to reach -45°F in some areas, frostbite can occur on exposed skin even sooner. Symptoms of frostbite usually begin with the affected parts feeling cold and painful. If exposure to the cold continues, you may feel pins and needles before the area becomes numb as the tissues freeze. If you think you or someone else may have frostbite, seek immediate medical attention.

We should see some relief on Tuesday with temperatures warming back up to the low 30s under partly to mostly cloudy skies. The next clipper type system will bring low chances for light snow Tuesday night through Wednesday night along with breezy to windy northwest winds.

Rapid City 7 Day

Per grew up in Sioux Falls and graduated from South Dakota Mines. He found his passion for weather reporting by the impact it has on the community, both in how people work and how it brings people together through severe weather preparation. He also has a passion for preventing health issues with Air Quality Index awareness. Per can be found enjoying outdoor activities in the Black Hills when the weather allows.

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South Dakota

Should South Dakota constitutional amendments require a 60% majority to pass?

Published

23 hours ago

January 19, 2025

Press Room

Should South Dakota constitutional amendments require a 60% majority to pass?

Resolution sponsor argues out-of-state donors are shaping South Dakota elections; Opponents say campaign finance reform is the answer

PIERRE — Lawmakers are considering a resolution that would start the process of making it more difficult for voters to pass a constitutional amendment in South Dakota.

The State House Affairs Committee heard testimony on House Joint Resolution 5003, a bill that would ask voters during the next general election whether to change the votes needed to pass a constitutional amendment from a simple majority to a 60% threshold.

The joint resolution was amended to the 60% figure at the start of the bill’s hearing on Friday. The prime sponsor of the bill, Republican Rep. John Hughes of Sioux Falls, had initially suggested a two-thirds majority in the initial version of his legislation.

The committee passed the resolution on an 11-2 vote, sending it to the full House for consideration.

Out-of-state interests have undue influence on South Dakota elections, resolution sponsor says

Hughes argued South Dakota has become a “convergence point for out-of-state interests to take advantage and exploit” the state’s simple majority requirement to pass constitutional amendments.

The Sioux Falls lawmaker referenced several large donations made in the weeks before the 2024 general election to Dakotans for Health, a group pushing to enshrine the right to abortion in the South Dakota Constitution — though Hughes did not directly name the group or the ballot question in his statements.

Hughes pointed to a $500,000 donation made by Think Big America, a nonprofit backed by Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker, in October.

Pritzker made another donation of $250,000 to Dakotans for Health on Nov. 1, according to a report filed with the South Dakota Secretary of State.

Another group backed by conservative activist Leonard Leo later matched the Pritzker nonprofit’s donation with a $500,000 that went to No G for SD, a ballot question committee. That money went to pay for ads opposing Constitutional Amendment G, which was rejected by 59% of South Dakota voters in the election.

“We have big checks coming in: $100,000 from a guy in California, $500,000 from the governor of Illinois. What on earth is the governor of Illinois doing to shape and mold the political and social values of South Dakota?” said Hughes, who failed to mention Leo’s large donation.

South Dakota law allows ballot question committees, or groups with a position on a specific ballot question, to receive unlimited amounts of money from individuals, political action committees, political parties, entities and other ballot question committees.

Nathan Sanderson, executive director of the South Dakota Retailers Association, spoke in support of the resolution, saying amending the constitution “should be more difficult” than amending a statute. Sanderson led the effort to oppose Initiated Measure 28, which was sponsored by Dakotans for Health co-founder Rick Weiland.

But opponents contend the change would actually work to the benefit of wealthy groups and individuals.

Opponents: Reforms to campaign finance laws, not majority requirements, is needed

Chase Jensen, a lobbyist for Dakota Rural Action, told the committee he agreed with Hughes on part of his testimony, particularly regarding the influence of out-of-state money in the state’s elections.

But he argued the state’s campaign finance laws need to be reformed, specifically when it comes to how outside money is allowed to be brought into state elections, rather than “changing the power of the people.”

During the recent election, only one out of seven ballot questions passed the simple majority threshold (50% plus one vote).

Constitutional Amendment F, which proposed to enforce work requirements on individuals who apply for expanded Medicaid benefits, passed with 56% of votes in November.

Jensen said raising the bar would only make it more difficult for legislators and citizens to pass constitutional amendments in the future.

“With the unprecedented concentration of wealth in our society, in our politics today, we believe raising the threshold of votes wouldn’t deter out of state money. It would only open the tap even further,” Jensen said.

Zebediah Johnson, a lobbyist for the Voter Defense Association of South Dakota, told the Argus Leader the majority of constitutional amendments proposed over the last two decades have been referred to voters by legislators.

South Dakota’s early populist movement adopted the initiative and popular referendum process into the South Dakota Constitution in 1898, becoming the first state in the U.S. to do so.

“There is no need for South Dakota, which created the American ballot initiative, to deviate from the norm in such an extreme manner,” Johnson said.

South Dakota voters have a recent history of rejecting changes to the state’s majority requirements.

In 2018, South Dakotans considered Amendment X, which proposed to raise the vote threshold to 55%. That failed after only receiving 46% of the vote.

Voters also rejected Amendment C in 2022, which would have required any future ballot measure that increases taxes, or spends $10 million over five years, to pass by at least 60%. This proposed change was also defeated after only receiving 33% of votes.

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