Happy Hour with John Gaskins

Sometimes you just have to get away. 
 
USD coach Matt Vitzthum thought an escape from football was best for him, his staff, and Coyote players during the bye week, especially after a physically punishing, emotionally taxing loss at South Dakota State.
 
And by get away, Vitzthum meant really get away. Find out where he took his family last Friday and Saturday. As for the other days, Vitzthum had a clear message to his team as USD heads down the stretch and jockeys for playoff seeding in these last two games, starting with Northern Iowa on Saturday.
 
What was that message, and what specifically did the Yotes work on in practice without an opponent to prepare for? What was the "vibe" of the team at practice coming off that SDSU loss? How concerned about "rust" is Vitzthum?
 
Who are a couple of players who have flourished but don't receive the same attention as Austin Modrzewski, Charles Pierre Jr., Brayden White, Gabe Hardman and Wade Abrams? 
 
What challenges does USD's next opponent Northern Iowa present? Vitzthum thoughtfully answered all these questions during his weekly conversation with the Happy Hour host.
 
Vitzthum and his staff watched the Panthers lose for the first time at home this season, a 41-15 dismantling by South Dakota State.
 
Jacks coach Dan Jackson joined for his weekly chat to break down how SDSU become the first and only team out of five this season to beat the Panthers in the UNI-Dome. This includes:
 
 * The powerful punch Iowans on the SDSU providing in their homecoming
 
* A look behind the depth the Jackrabbits enjoy from the defensive line
 
* The vengence with which running backs Josiah Johnson and James Basinger run
 
* Chase Mason's latest chapter since returning from injury three weeks ago in a loss at UND
 
* How Lofton O'Groske is doing his part to become a premier part of the offense again
 
* A preview of Saturday's opponent, Southern Illinois.
 
 
Before all this, the Happy Hour host explains why SDSU and USD fans should be grateful for what they have in Jackson, Vitzthum, and their programs.
 
Hint: It has to do with Nebraska.
 
What abilities do Jackson and Vitzthum display that Matt Rhule continues to fail at?
 
Should Rhule be fired? If so, do any former Jackrabbit assistants present an appealing resume?

The host explains why SDSU and USD fans should be grateful for what they have in Jackson, Vitzthum, and their programs.

Hint: It has to do with Nebraska.

What abilities do Jackson and Vitzthum display that Matt Rhule continues to fail at?

Should Rhule be fired? If so, do any former Jackrabbit assistants present an appealing resume?

Sometimes you just have to get away. 
 
USD coach Matt Vitzthum thought an escape from football was best for him, his staff, and Coyote players during the bye week, especially after a physically punishing, emotionally taxing loss at South Dakota State.
 
And by get away, Vitzthum meant really get away. Find out where he took his family last Friday and Saturday. As for the other days, Vitzthum had a clear message to his team as USD heads down the stretch and jockeys for playoff seeding in these last two games, starting with Northern Iowa on Saturday.
 
What was that message, and what specifically did the Yotes work on in practice without an opponent to prepare for? What was the "vibe" of the team at practice coming off that SDSU loss? How concerned about "rust" is Vitzthum?
 
Who are a couple of players who have flourished but don't receive the same attention as Austin Modrzewski, Charles Pierre Jr., Brayden White, Gabe Hardman and Wade Abrams? 
 
What challenges does USD's next opponent Northern Iowa present? Vitzthum thoughtfully answered all these questions during his weekly conversation with the Happy Hour host.

Jacks coach Dan Jackson joined for his weekly chat to break down how SDSU become the first and only team out of five this season to beat the Panthers in the UNI-Dome. This includes:

* The powerful punch Iowans on the SDSU providing in their homecoming

* A look behind the depth the Jackrabbits enjoy from the defensive line

* The vengence with which running backs Josiah Johnson and James Basinger run

* Chase Mason's latest chapter since returning from injury three weeks ago in a loss at UND

* How Lofton O'Groske is doing his part to become a premier part of the offense again

* A preview of Saturday's opponent, Southern Illinois.

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. Plus, a feature story from Zach Borg of Midwest Sports Plus and KSFL-TV.
 
Here are this week's segments:

 
Happy Hour with John Gaskins (Sioux Falls): What should be made of SDSU's mostly-dominant but wild-to-the-finish win over USD in a high-stakes FCS showdown last Saturday, and where do the Jacks and Yotes go from here? Jackrabbit beat reporter and Sioux Falls Live sports editor Matt Zimmer joins the host to hit all kinds of angles packed into a 10-minute punch.
 
Hot Mic with Dom Izzo (Fargo): Let's gossip about millionaire Monday Night Football announcers Joe Buck and Troy Aikman, a duo that has been on our NFL television sets for over two decades but appears to be breaking up after they call the Super Bowl in February.

The two will be on the mic for the Minnesota Vikings' home game against the Buffalo Bills on Monday. So let's preview that saucy matchup. Forum Communications content manager Drew Trafton joins Dom for the ride.
 
The Nate Brown Show (Rapid City):  USA Today College football insider John Brice breaks down the FBS college football landscape. They discuss how the College Football Playoff could be shaping up and which coaches might be on the hot seat. 
 
Zach Borg feature (KSFL-TV): The Return of the Freeman Flyers: The history and new ambitions of the Freeman football program.