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South Dakota State football: 5 areas to watch in spring practice

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South Dakota State football: 5 areas to watch in spring practice


BROOKINGS — When virtually the entire roster returned from the 2022 South Dakota State national championship in 2023, coming up with storylines to watch in spring practice was not easy.

That won’t be the case this year.

The Jackrabbits have said goodbye to a virtual all-star team worth of talent since winning their second consecutive FCS title, so the spring practice season that marks the unofficial beginning of Jimmy Rogers’ second year at the helm will have plenty of intrigue.

SDSU kicked off their spring workouts on Sunday and will conclude it with the Spring Game on April 13.

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Here are five areas worth keeping close tabs on as the Jacks begin their initial preparations for a potential three-peat.

1. Is Gronowski back?
Walter Payton Award-winner Mark Gronowski is practicing with the team, set to return as the starting quarterback. All indications are that his intention is to remain a Jackrabbit for at least another year. But he could still leave as a grad transfer. He has two years of eligibility, and many have connected the dots between Gronowski and Northwestern. He’s from the Chicago area and his offensive coordinator for the last two seasons, Zach Lujan, is now in that role for the Wildcats. The Northwestern head coach is former NDSU defensive coordinator David Braun. NIL money would be tempting.

All that said, Gronowski being in uniform for the Jacks right now is certainly encouraging. Expect clarity on his final status for the 2024 season sooner than later.

2. What about Chase Mason?
The former multi-sport star from Viborg-Hurley stepped into the role of QB2 last year and looked dangerous every time he took the field, rushing for 187 yards and three touchdowns and completing 16-of-27 passes for 267 yards and a touchdown. He should get the majority of the reps this spring and will be ready to step in as the starter if Gronowski isn’t available.

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South Dakota State’s Chase Mason celebrates in the end zone after scoring a touchdown against the Western Oregon Wolves on Thursday, Aug. 31, 2023, at the Dana J. Dykhouse Stadium in Brookings.

Adam Thury / Mitchell Republic

Assuming Gronowski returns, expect the Jacks to devise some packages for Mason or perhaps an expanded role that can make use of his size and talents. He’s too good to spend all his time holding a clipboard.

3. New playcallers
With Lujan gone, the Jacks will have their third offensive coordinator in the last four years. Offensive line coach Ryan Olson has had a tremendous impact on the offense since joining the staff in 2021 and seemed like the easy choice to replace Lujan as the primary playcaller. But the addition of quarterbacks coach Danny Freund, who spent the last several years as offensive coordinator at North Dakota, gives the Jacks another experienced offensive coach, one who should figure prominently in the gameplanning and play-calling.

4. Rebuilding the line
The Jackrabbits had what was undoubtedly one of the best offensive lines in FCS history in 2023. Gus Miller won the Rimington Award as the best center in the nation. Right guard Evan Beerntsen was honorable mention all-conference. Right tackle John O’Brian was a dominating presence, while the left side was incredible — guard Mason McCormick and tackle Garret Greenfield were both All-Americans who just crushed it at the NFL Draft Combine.

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SDSUvsUAlbany_FCSplayoffs-71.jpg

South Dakota State offensive lineman Quinten Christensen (69) motions to the crowd to cheer during the final moments of a Football Championship Subdivision playoff semifinal victory over UAlbany on Friday, Dec. 15, 2023, at Dana J. Dykhouse Stadium in Brookings.

Landon Dierks / Mitchell Republic

Only Miller and Beerntsen return in ’24. That’s a good foundation to start with, and 6-foot-5, 290-pound junior Quinten Christensen saw significant action last year that should give him an inside track on a starting role.

That still leaves two open spots that need to be filled. That competition starts now.

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5. Who gets the ball?
Running back Isaiah Davis is off to the NFL, and wide receivers Jadon and Jaxon Janke and tight end Zach Heins hope to follow him. That’s roughly 4,000 yards of total offense the Jacks need to replace, in addition to underrated H-back Mike Morgan.

Amar Johnson has been electric as the secondary running back and should be a capable replacement for Davis, while Angel Johnson can help carry the load.

SDSUvsUAlbany_FCSplayoffs-65.jpg

From left, South Dakota State’s Griffin Wilde and Devon Cole celebrate a touchdown in the FCS national semifinals on Friday, Dec. 15, 2023, at Dana J. Dykhouse Stadium in Brookings.

Landon Dierks / Mitchell Republic

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At receiver, Griffin Wilde is clearly a star-in-the-making after catching 20 passes for 399 yards and six touchdowns as a true freshman, but if the Jacks don’t get other pass-catchers to step up defenses will double-team Wilde whenever they can.

Grahm Goering shows promise at wideout and Kevin Brenner should be able to fill Morgan’s role, but tight end and the third-and-fourth wide receiver spot are both open for the taking.

Matt Zimmer

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 knocks off Denver 82-72

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South Dakota knocks off Denver 82-72


VERMILLION, S.D. (AP) — Cameron Fens scored 23 points as South Dakota beat Denver 82-72 on Saturday.

Fens also contributed 12 rebounds and four blocks for the Coyotes (9-9, 1-2 Summit League). Isaac Bruns scored 20 points while going 8 of 12 and 3 of 4 from the free-throw line and added six rebounds. Jordan Crawford went 5 of 11 from the field (3 for 7 from 3-point range) to finish with 13 points.

Gabe Oldham led the Pioneers (8-11, 1-3) in scoring, finishing with 24 points, 13 rebounds and two steals. Denver also got 19 points from Zane Nelson. Carson Johnson also put up 11 points and six assists.

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The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar.



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SD Highway Patrol releases new details on hit and run, asks for public’s help

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SD Highway Patrol releases new details on hit and run, asks for public’s help


SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (Dakota News Now) – The South Dakota Highway Patrol is continuing to look for the suspect in a deadly hit-and-run near Humboldt, SD.

In a Facebook post, the SD Highway Patrol has released new details regarding the semi suspected of committing the hit and run.

According to police, the semi is a red Freightliner Cascadia semi, missing its passenger-side headlight.

The semi was traveling eastbound from the Humboldt area on I-90 in the early morning hours of Jan. 3, 2026.

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Police are seeking information, video, or pictures from 2:13 a.m. – 3:00 a.m. along I-90 and I-29 from the public.

If you have any tips or footage, contact the South Dakota Highway Patrol District 2 Office at (605) 367-5700.



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Dept. of Agriculture and Natural Resources announces $48 million for statewide projects

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Dept. of Agriculture and Natural Resources announces  million for statewide projects


SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (Dakota News Now) – The South Dakota Department of Agriculture and Natural Resources (DANR) has the approval of over $48 million in loans and grants for statewide projects.

Together with the Board of Water and Natural Resources, a total of $36,958,000 in state loans, including $425,000 in principal forgiveness, was authorized for drinking water and wastewater improvements.

More funding was distributed to the following programs:

BDM Rural Water:

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  • Received an additional $233,450 in American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds to construct a new water treatment plant, install a new water reservoir, install a pipe to expand the water system, and replace water meters

Clay Rural Water:

  • Received $334,250 in ARPA grant funds to construct two ground storage reservoirs near the Greenfield reservoir and the Wakonda Water Treatment plant

Mid-Dakota Rural Water System:

  • Received $917,357.85 in ARPA grant to update the existing water system

Mitchell:

  • Received $3,930,000 in Clean Water State Revolving Funds to upgrade the clay sanitary and storm sewer

Rapid City:

  • Received a $14,512,000 Drinking Water State Revolving loan to make improvements to an existing well and also construct two new wells

Shared Resources:

  • Received $1,500,000 in ARPA grant funds for a treatment plant, well field, distribution pipeline, and two storage tanks

Sioux Falls:

  • Received $7,648,000 to complete a third connection to the Lewis and Clark Regional Water System
  • Received $17,746,000 to construct a new Southeast Basin sanitary force main

South Lincoln Rural Water System:

  • Received $328,250 in ARPA funds to install an elevated water tank, new pump station, and new water treatment plant

South Dakota Department of Agriculture and Natural Resources:

  • Received $1 million in ARPA funds for its statewide Riparian Buffer Initiative

Toronto:

  • Received $770,000 Drinking Water Revolving Loan to accommodate the Department of Transportation installing new storm sewers and highway surfacing

These programs are funded through a combination of federal appropriations, loan repayments, and bonds.

The board approved the funding during a January 8 meeting in Pierre.



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