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University of Minnesota Athletics
Gophers Host Jackrabbits On Senior Day
11/13/2009 12:00:00 AM | Football
Minnesota Game Notes - vs. South Dakota State
GOPHERS HOST JACKRABBITS ON SENIOR DAY
The Minnesota Golden Gophers wrap up a season-long three-game home stand Saturday. Minnesota needs one more victory to become bowl-eligible and hosts the Jackrabbits of South Dakota State. The Jackrabbits enter the contest with a 7-2 overall record and a 6-1 mark in the Missouri Valley Football Conference.
Saturday’s matchup is just the sixth-ever in the series between South Dakota State and Minnesota. The Gophers hold a 5-0 advantage in the all-time series. The two teams haven’t faced off since 1933.
South Dakota State is a member of the NCAA Division I Football Championship Subdivision (FCS). The Jackrabbits are ranked No. 12 in the FCS and are coming off a loss to No. 1 Southern Illinois.
The Big Ten Network will televise the game. Matt Rosen will call the play-by-play. Former Golden Gopher wide receiver Ron Johnson will be in the analyst. A completely different Ron Johnson will be on the sideline.
SCOUTING SOUTH DAKOTA STATE
South Dakota State comes into this week’s game with a 7-2 overall record and a 6-1 mark in Missouri Valley Football Conference action. The Jackrabbits are ranked No. 12 in the Football Championship Subdivision. Their only two losses this season have come to nationally-ranked FCS teams.
SDSU is coached by John Stiegelmeier, who is in his 13th season as the head coach in Brookings, S.D. Stiegelmeier was a graduate assistant at Wisconsin early in his career. He has been coaching at SDSU for the last 22 years.
Offensively, South Dakota State averages 27.22 points per game to rank No. 37 in FCS. The Jackrabbits average 357.3 points per game, ranking No. 43 in FCS. Defensively, the Jacks allow 13.9 points per game to rank No. 6 in Football Championship Subdivision. SDSU allows just an average of 285.6 yards per game to rank No. 18 in FCS.
QUICK HITTERS
> Minnesota ranks No. 2 in the nation in punt return average, going for 18.8 yards per return. However, the Gophers have only been credited with five punt returns in 10 games this season.
> The Gophers are No. 9 in the nation in net punting, averaging 39.88 yards of field position per punt.
> Minnesota has 12 kickoff returns of 30 yards or more so far this season. The Gophers average 24.3 yards per kickoff return to rank No. 23 in the nation.
> Minnesota set school records for penalties and penalty yards in a game two weeks ago vs. Michigan State. The Gophers responded by committing just three fouls in last week’s loss to Illinois.
> Minnesota has come from behind in all five of its victories this season. The Gophers have trailed in the fourth quarter of four of those wins.
THE SOUTH DAKOTA STATE SERIES
Saturday’s game will be just the sixth gridiron meeting between the University of Minnesota and South Dakota State University. Minnesota leads the series 5-0.
The Jackrabbits and Gophers have not played each other for 76 years. The last meeting between the two teams came on Sept. 30, 1933. Minnesota won that game 19-6. South Dakota State has been shut out three times in its five meetings with the Gophers.
GOPHER BLOCK PARTY
The Gophers blocked a punt for a touchdown last week. Keanon Cooper blocked a punt attempt by
Illinois’ Anthony Santella. Ben Kuznia scooped the ball up at the three-yard line and returned it for the score. It was the first blocked punt for a touchdown for Minnesota since Dom Barber blocked a punt and Alex Daniels returned it for a score against Colorado State on Sept. 10, 2005.
It was the second blocked kick for a touchdown for Minnesota this season. Lee Campbell blocked a punt against Purdue, which was returned for a TD by Traye Simmons. This is the first time in more than 10 years that Minnesota has scored off more than one blocked kick in a season.
MY RECOLLECTION IS A LITTLE HOESE
Junior fullback Jon Hoese had a nice outing against Illinois last week. Hoese tallied a career-best three receptions for 49 yards and scored his first receiving touchdown against the Illini. He also rushed for 17 yards on five carries and scored a touchdown. It was his first multiple-touchdown contest since the Insight Bowl at the end of last season. Hoese scored twice in his first three career carries in that bowl game vs. Kansas.
YOU'RE TRIPPIN'
Senior linebacker Nate Triplett was the top tackling linebacker for Minnesota Saturday vs. Illinois. He tallied eight total tackles, including two solo stops and a half-dozen assists. Triplett is the team’s No. 2 tackler with 90 stops. His 9.0 tackles per game rank No. 5 in the Big Ten and No. 41 in the nation. Triplett is also tied for No. 3 on the team in passes defended with seven.
KIM-POSSIBLE
Junior safety Kim Royston matched his career-high total for tackles last week vs. Illinois. The Wisconsin transfer has now recorded 11 tackles three times this season. The other two 11-tackle outings were vs. his former team and Penn State. Royston is the No. 5 tackler on the Gopher squad with 59 total stops. His six passes defended rank him No. 4 on the squad.
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