Happy Hour with John Gaskins

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.

Every Friday, "South Dakota Sports Lounge" displays some of the most captivating and entertaining conversations from daily sports talk shows in Sioux Falls, Rapid City, and Fargo. 
 
Here are this week's segments:



 
Happy Hour with John Gaskins: USD Athletic Director Jon Schemmel candidly offers insight into the football program's budget, finances, ticket sales, fan base development, and its exploration of a possible move up to the FBS should the opportunity present itself.
 
Hot Mic with Dom Izzo: Veteran FCS reporter and columnist Sam Herder discusses the FCS landscape after Big Sky and MVFC wins over FBS teams in the first couple weeks of the season
 
Nate Brown Show:  St. Paul Pioneer Press Vikings beat reporter Dane Mizutani breaks down the season-opening win over the Packers, the upcoming divisional matchup with the Bears, and whether Packers fans should be upset with LaFleur. 
 
Gridiron Report (SD High School Football): Marcus Traxler and Landon Dierks break down the week's hottest topics.

A pickled egg may not look like something that will be love at first bite or go down smoothly.
 
After all, it is a hard-boiled egg, peeled and soaked in a savory (some would say even sour) vinegar-based brine. Those who love their pickled eggs prefer some tabasco seasoning to give them an even sharper kick.
 
Sioux Falls Live sportswriter Trent Singer is one of those people. That's one reason he calls Orion Pub in downtown Sioux Falls "the best bar in the world," because it serves pickled eggs along with old school beers like Hamm's, Pabst Blue Ribbon, Miller High Life and Coors (Banquet, not Light, although the Light is also on tap).
 
What on Earth does this have to do with both South Dakota Division I football teams' much-anticipated primetime showdowns on Saturday night?
 
Well, for one, Singer joined the Happy Hour host on Thursday at Orion Pub, as always, to preview their weekly "Thirsty Thursday Football Forecast" show. 
 
And Singer really, really, really wanted to enjoy an Orion pickled egg while breaking down No. 2 South Dakota State's FCS Top 10 tilt with No. 9 Youngstown State and No. 10 South Dakota's trip to the "Smurf Turf" at Boise State, which would rank No. 28 in the FBS if the AP poll extended past No. 25.
 
But, for two, both the Jackrabbits and Coyotes games might be just like eating pickled eggs.
 
For SDSU, defending a salty dual threat Walter Payton Award quarterback like YSU's Beau Brungard may appear to be hard and bitter, but if the Jacks can do it well enough — and if Chase Mason and the offense can scorch YSU's defense like they did Stetson and New Haven, and like Kentucky scorched the Penguins — then things will feel awfully tangy and delicious in a sold-out Dana J. Dykhouse Stadium.
 
Same thing goes for USD in stopping speedy battering ram Dylan Riley — the Pac-12 offensive player of the week and Doak Walker national running back of the week after 203 yards against Memphis — and Austin Modrzewski's task of still pumping out explosive plays and sustained drives against a BSU defense that is giving up over 500 yards per game.
 
The host and Singer pick apart multiple matchups from several angles. What "tells" from early games factor into the predictions for Game 4?
 
After Singer demonstrates how to properly enjoy a pickled egg and the host vents about public weight room pet peeves, you will not be short-changed on pregame analysis.
 
Plus, a glimpse into what could be the regular season Game of the Year in South Dakota Class 11AAA high school football: No. 2 Sioux Falls Jefferson at No. 1 Brandon Valley.
 
There is also a slate of quick hits: UND at Nebraska, New Mexico at Oklahoma, Augie-Moorhead, USF-Mary, and the Vikings visiting the Bears.
 
So grab a hard-boiled egg, dip it in a savory vinegar-based brine, break that puppy in half, dab a little hot sauce on it, throw it down the hatch and wash it down with a refreshing cold blue-collar brew.
 
That's what we call living the High Life!