BROOKINGS When South Dakota State lost to North Dakota State in October, it felt like the Jackrabbits had some things to work on. Since then the Jacks have rattled off seven-straight wins and are playing their best football as they head into a rematch with the Bison on Saturday.
One of the biggest things that the Jacks had to work on throughout the season was their passing game. The numbers since the NDSU game arent eye popping, but coaches and players alike think that that part of the offense has grown a lot since then. Mark Gronowski has thrown for 1,131 yards, 10 touchdowns and just one interception in the seven games since, while completing 58% of his passes.
Co-offensive coordinator Ryan Olson said he thinks whats changed is the connection that Gronowski has with his receivers.
I think we probably in some ways have evolved [in the pass game] as opposed to how we were [playing] in the beginning of the season and [the NDSU] game, Olson said. I think theres some evolution and to be honest, I think our quarterback is playing his best football right now. At that time he would probably tell you that he was not. I think just where were at with him and his feel with the wide outs and how were protecting him is encouraging.
I think a lot of it just goes back to the QB and receiver relationship and the bond that those guys have built through all the work this season and just feeling more comfortable. I think [Gronowski is] settled in and is playing with a ton of confidence. I think his body feels good. Its been a lot of banked reps to get to this point of having that type of feel that those guys do with each other. Theres a number of factors, but a lot of it is just practice and confidence.
Another thing that has been more consistent over the past seven games is the offensive line play. The Jacks battled some injuries in the middle of the season but have had the same five starters on the line for the past seven games.
In those seven games SDSU has averaged 223 yards per game on the ground and has given up just three sacks. Olson said he thinks the offensive line has become a lot more connected over the past seven games.
I think [that unit has grown] in terms of communication, Olson said. Thats a group that relies a lot on trust and anytime you mix up a group or change whos in there, you kind of create a bit of a need to gel. Early in the season we were shuffling a lot due to some injuries and we had some guys that were in and out.
[At the point of the NDSU game] we were still in some ways coming together as a unit. Im never going to say that were done growing. Were going to continue this week to keep getting better, but I feel like that group is playing with a lot of confidence right now and has a lot of trust with one another.
Senior cornerback Dalys Beanum also pointed to connectivity when talking about how the defense has played over the past seven games. During this win streak the Jackrabbit defense is giving up 226 yards and 9.1 points per game.
Beanum said he feels like the defense is playing with a lot more intesity and theyve improved since the loss to the Bison.
I feel like weve grown in plenty of ways. Whether its our swarm to the ball carrier or playing the ball in the air or just attacking the ball. I feel like as a defense weve been a lot more tenacious and have gelled as a unit a lot more as the season has gone on. Weve improved in a lot of areas over the season, Beanum said.
With SDSU seemingly hitting its stride, the coaches and players remember how they felt after that loss against the Bison in October. Saturday is a chance at redemption, but Beanum said he and his teammates dont want to make things bigger in their head just because its a rivalry game and a chance to end NDSUs season.
Its a big game just because its the next game. We cant make it a bigger game because the stakes are higher. Its obviously [fun] to have the Dakota schools go up there and play each other in the playoffs, but its just another game. Just like last week and two weeks before, its just another playoff game. [The last game against NDSU] is in the past. We cant take the stats that happened that game and take them into this one. We just have to come out there and execute and do what we do and hopefully the results will take care of themselves, Beanum said.
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