It’s not like players from South Dakota and South Dakota State dislike their former teammates. They were probably just sick of hearing their names.
All offseason and during preseason camp, names from last year's roster were brought up just as much as names on the 2018 roster. The No. 1 talking point was how are the Coyotes going to replace FCS Walter Payton Award runner-up Chris Streveler at quarterback. And the big question for the Jackrabbits was what happens to the offense without wide receiver Jake Wieneke and tight end Dallas Goedert.
To be clear, the questions were fair.
Streveler, now in the CFL, threw for 4,134 yards and 32 touchdowns last year while rushing for 720 yards and 11 more scores. Wieneke and Goedert, both in the NFL, combined for 296 catches for 4,685 yards and 50 touchdowns in 2016 and 2017.
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The schools were coming off their best seasons in their Division I history. The general thought, at least outside the walls of the facilities in Vermillion and Brookings, were the two South Dakota schools were going to take a step back.
But a deeper dive into the rosters revealed that may not be the case. The question marks on how to replace last year’s stars got smaller. And even though it’s early in the season, those questions appear to be answered already in a big way.
USD and SDSU look every bit the part heading into Week 3 of action.
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South Dakota
If someone had three hands, they still wouldn’t be able to count how many program records Streveler broke at USD. But behind him was a quarterback who the coaching staff knew was going to be a star once he got his chance. Austin Simmons showed flashes of it last year when Streveler got beat up and missed action against Southern Illinois.
Now a junior and in the starting role, Simmons has burst onto the scene. The Coyotes are 1-1 with a narrow 27-24 loss to Kansas State and a convincing 43-28 win against the Big Sky’s Northern Colorado, in which USD had 635 yards of total offense.
Austin Simmons shows a burst of speed to pick up a large chunk of yardage. pic.twitter.com/GxbQdrN223
— South Dakota Football (@SDCoyotesFB) September 8, 2018
After throwing for 257 yards and a touchdown against the Wildcats, Simmons went 31-40 passing for 462 yards and four touchdowns against UNC. He has yet to throw an interception. The Coyotes had one of the best offenses in the FCS last season. Streveler was a big part of that. But a majority of the weapons from that squad are back, led by senior receiver Shamar Jackson, who had seven catches for 146 yards last week.
Austin Simmons with hits third TD pass of the first half, finding Shamar Jackson in the corner of the end zone. Coyotes lead Northern Colorado 27-14. #SCTop10 pic.twitter.com/cWhmJdO8rU
— South Dakota Football (@SDCoyotesFB) September 8, 2018
The offensive line had a couple freshmen All-Americans last year in Tyler Ciurej and Mason Scheidegger and should be a better unit overall this season.
Now the big question is if the USD defense can become a tougher unit. But so far, the offense appears to be just fine.
Trystn Ducker goes 76 yards for the touchdown! Coyotes lead 20-14 early in the second quarter! #WeAreSouthDakota pic.twitter.com/2PkVLCVxXg
— South Dakota Football (@SDCoyotesFB) September 8, 2018
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South Dakota State
From the quarterfinals in 2016 to the semifinals in 2017, the Jacks have grown to be a premier program in the FCS. With a ton of talented seniors, it was thought last year was the season for the Jacks to take that huge jump and compete for a national title.
After having its season-opener at Iowa State canceled, SDSU put the nation back on notice with a 45-14 drubbing against Montana State. The Bobcats were coming off a big win against the Valley’s Western Illinois and are looking to be a playoff team.
Either MSU isn’t as good as people originally thought or SDSU is that solid this season. And it’s likely the latter.
While it’s still way too early to say this year’s team is better than last year's, it’s safe to say it’s not too far off. The defense is one year better. The running back room is more talented overall. Plus, people forget Taryn Christion is one of the best quarterbacks in the FCS.
TOUCHDOWN || ⏱️ 3:30 left in the 3rd
We see ???? you ???? ⏩ 51 yards@MSUBobcatsFB 8 | 38 @GoJacksFB pic.twitter.com/xKDxOpE9ZO
— Midco Sports Network (@MidcoSN) September 9, 2018
The offensive line has solid potential breaking in some new starters. And the pass catchers showed some serious athleticism and skill. The main question for the Jacks is can the passing attack be as dominant as last year to say this year’s squad can take that next step and make a run to Frisco, Texas.
The signs are positive so far. MSU plays some of the best defense in the Big Sky and the Jacks shredded the unit. Sophomore receiver Cade Johnson showed he can be the next big thing with nine catches for 138 yards and four touchdowns.
TOUCHDOWN || ⏱️ 8:37 left in the 2nd
Jackrabbits with a ONE HANDED catch deep in the end zone????@MSUBobcatsFB 0 | 21 @GoJacksFB#MidcoSN | #GoJacks pic.twitter.com/MPEwAS0vCG
— Midco Sports Network (@MidcoSN) September 9, 2018
Juniors Adam Anderson and Marquise Lewis had big plays as well and combined for six catches for 132 yards. Christion, the 2016 MVFC Offensive Player of the Year, looked as good as ever, completing 21-29 passes for 319 yards and four touchdowns.
The Jackrabbits are ranked the No. 3 team in many national polls this week. After an offseason of some doubt, it looks like they are ready to make a run again.
TOUCHDOWN || ⏱️ 11:50 left in the 2nd
???? with ✌️ TDs on the board@MSUBobcatsFB 0 | 14 @GoJacksFB pic.twitter.com/qD9ayB5pIh
— Midco Sports Network (@MidcoSN) September 8, 2018
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