Happy Hour with John Gaskins

Kurtiss Riggs weekly chat

By midnight Saturday, there may have been more eyeballs at one time on University of South Dakota football than in the history of the program.
 
An FCS quarterfinal game against North Dakota State in 2023 — televised on ABC and competing only against Army-Navy — might have had more.
 
But considering USD's tilt with Group of Six sultan Boise State was one of the few games still going, and the Coyotes were in striking distance of an FCS-over-FBS upset the entire second half, chances are more eyebrows were at least raised watching USD than ever before.
 
And nothing raised eyebrows or made eyeballs pop more than freshman quarterback Austyn Modrzewki's pocket-escaping, on-the-run 59-yard bomb to Tyson Boze late in the third quarter to pull the Yotes to within 24-21.
 
It's his fourth or fifth such jaw-dropper in his four-game career. Indeed, the kid is special. What is it that makes him a unique talent to the FCS and what does he still need to improve? 

His former quarterbacks coach Matt Vitzthum, now the head coach, answered that question in a 23-minute weekly Happy Hour conversation that also included:
 
* The emotional temperature of a team that was threatening to tie the Broncos late in the fourth quarter but fell short, then gave up an 83-yard run to add salt in the wound
 
* What to make of former All-American running back Charles Pierre Jr.'s less-than-50-yard night
 
* How the Coyotes will match up with a Youngstown State team whose bodies and egos are both bruised by their loss at South Dakota State
 
The Jackrabbits controlled most of that game even though the 27-20 final score may have suggested otherwise.
 
SDSU was really humming by late second quarter, up 14-10, when quarterback Chase Mason was shaken up following a designed run in the red zone.
 
Mason never returned, needing a knee brace to walk back to the field and watch his team in the second half as the Jacks running game and defense held down the fort.
 
But now what? What could coach Dan Jackson say about Mason's injury? What is the skill set of backup quarterback Josh Holst, who piloted the Jacks in the second half, throwing just 3-for-8 for 16 yards but not needing any more than that?
 
The defense that held YSU to 2.5 yards per rush and contained Walter Payton Award winner Beau Brungard far better than most FCS teams he has ever faced. But what does Jackson say needs to improve?
 
Before all this, the host gives his thoughts on what might happen to SDSU if it misses Mason a long time.

Dan Jackson on Chase Mason's injury, Josh Holst's abilities, Josiah Johnson, defensive plays and mistakes, Eastern Illinois

USD's Matt Vitzthum on the valiant loss in Boise, more Modrzewski majesty (and some mistakes), Gabe Hardman's injury, and a huge game at Youngstown State

What do we make of Dan Jackson's injury report on Chase Mason and how equipped are the Jacks to win a national title without him?
Meanwhile, another highlight reel touchdown pass for USD freshman Austin Modrzewski on a big and bright late night stage on national TV has anyone who watches him thinking a lot of things.