Thanksgiving is all about football, right?
OK, OK, it's about giving thanks. I know that. I do.
Giving thanks for all of those wonderful folks in your life that can be described with words that begin with the letter F. Like family. And friends.
And football players.
I know I'm thankful today for South Dakota State University's glorious 31-8 victory over those mangy Coyotes from Vermillion last weekend. And for the Jacks' spot in the NCAA Football Championship Subdivision (we all know it's really Division I-AA) playoffs. They host Eastern Illinois University Saturday in Bookings.
The University of South Dakota game was a blast. It was if you were wearing yellow and blue, anyhow. And it was long past due - the first battle in nine years. The gap was caused by SDSU's decision to jump to Division I, a move the Coyotes, always a step behind, eventually made as well.
Sincerely, though, it was great to see so many Coyote fans in Brookings to cheer on their team. All of the give and take I saw was good-natured, though I'm sure some fans from both schools got carried away. But, aside from an SDSU backer tossing what appeared to be a Nerf football at the USD marching band, I didn't notice anything inappropriate.
While some Jackrabbits downplay the rivalry with USD, the fact that 15,278 people crammed into a stadium with a seating capacity of 11,000 to watch the game was telling. The atmosphere was spectacular even if it lost steam after SDSU grabbed a 21-0 lead in the first quarter.
Sure, I probably expected a few more people at the game. But, given that recent improvements at Coughlin-Alumni Stadium have left less room around the field, a few thousand people were already standing, the 'Yotes only had one win on the season and tickets were $40 a shot, I probably shouldn't have. I can't swear to it, but I bet that was the most expensive ticket there's ever been for a college sporting event in this state.
Would SDSU have lost, I would have been inconsolable. And unbearable. Then again, some would say I was unbearable in the days before the game, using my Facebook account to take frequent jabs at USD and wearing SDSU colors all week.
I'm trying to ease off on the hyperbole leading up to this week's playoff game, which is only the Jacks' third-ever, and the first home football playoff game in program history. That includes the Division II days, during which SDSU qualified for the playoffs just once.
Saturday's matchup is an interesting one. It pits the Jackrabbits' stingy defense against the Panthers' prolific passing attack. While Eastern Illinois averages about 39 points a game, SDSU yields less than 16, so something's likely to give.
Panthers' quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo has passed for 3,602 yards and wide receiver Erik Lora has 1,531 receiving yards. Meanwhile, the Jacks' defense has allowed only four touchdowns in five home games this season and has the eighth-ranked defense in the Football Championship Subdivision. Linebacker Ross Shafrath, the eighth-leading tackler in the nation, leads the way.
The team that controls the pace of play will likely win. SDSU would rather grind things out. Eastern Illinois favors an upbeat attack like Oregon or Baylor. State probably won't win a shootout. One factor that likely favors the Rabbits: The game is on natural grass, a surface on which the Panthers rarely play.
A trip to the Fargodome to take on the top-seeded Bison of North Dakota State University awaits the winner. The defending national champions got a first-round bye.
Sadly, Saturday's game will likely feature the poorest attendance of the season because of Thanksgiving. Students, who are the most vocal supporters, are gone for the long weekend. And other boosters have holiday obligations, too. The Jacks have averaged 13,338 fans per home game this season. On Saturday, 10,000 would be an impressive turnout.
Perhaps, by then, you'll be weary of spending time with the family. If so, you should consider joining me in Brookings. This Jackrabbit team, picked to finish sixth in the Missouri Valley Football Conference, has exceeded expectations. It has some exciting offensive players in running back Zach Zenner, who rushed for more than 1,700 yards this season, and quarterback Austin Sumner, a Brandon Valley grad. And it's coached by Selby native John Stiegelmeier. Mostly, though, it's a squad that deserves the support of its home state as it hosts a milestone game and seeks what would be the university's first-ever playoff victory.
Heck, even Joe Glenn, the first-year head coach of the Coyotes, is backing the Jacks - at least for one weekend. For a USD man, he sure comes across as a likable bloke.
Asked what he said to Stieglemeier following last weekend's game, he was generous after a lopsided defeat: "Go represent our conference and our state," he told his SDSU peer. "Let 'em have it."
Far be it from me to advise another to listen to a USD grad, but I'm willing to make an exception this time. You heard the man, Jacks . . . let 'em have it.
Scott Waltman is an American News reporter who graduated from South Dakota State University. He also attended Northern State University and the University of South Dakota. He roots for the Wolves and, at least on occasion, tries to do the same for the Coyotes.
SDSU in playoffs
- What: First round Football Championship Subdivision playoff game.
- Who: No. 19 South Dakota State (8-3) vs. No. 25 Eastern Illinois (7-4)
- When: 2 p.m. Saturday.
- Where: Coughlin-Alumni Stadium in Brookings.
- Media: On radio on WNAX 570 AM in Yankton and KOLY 1300 AM in Mobridge among others. Livestreamed at ESPN3.com.
- Tickets: gojacks.com. $25 for adults, $10 for students and children.
5 things to know
- First meeting between these teams.
- SDSU coach John Stiegelmeier is a Selby native and former Northern State University assistant.
- Winner will face North Dakota State (10-1) in Fargodome at 3 p.m. Dec. 1. That game is sold out.
- Jacks have 21 South Dakotans on roster including freshmen Herman Kleinsasser of Onida and Nick Mears of Milbank.
- SDSU has drawn an average of 13,338 fans per game this season.