SDSU spring ball starts Saturday

[89rabbit]

http://www.gojacks.com/ViewArticle.dbml?DB_OEM_ID=15000&ATCLID=1420212

Spring football kicks off Saturday

The South Dakota State University football team will begin preparations for its first season as a member of the Gateway Football Conference when it begins spring practice Saturday.

The Jackrabbits are slated to conduct 15 practices over the next four weeks, culminating with the annual spring game on April 26. Kickoff for the spring game is scheduled for 9:30 a.m. at Coughlin-Alumni Stadium. . . . (read more)

[89rabbit]

After a delay because of snow, spring ball is about to start:

http://www.argusleader.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080401/SPORTS0202/804010329/1002/SPORTS

Jacks aim for the top
Scouts pay visit; Gateway awaits

Terry Vandrovec • [email protected] • April 1, 2008

http://cmsimg.argusleader.com/apps/pbcsi.dll/bilde?Site=DF&Date=20080401&Category=SPORTS0202&ArtNo=804010329&Ref=AR&MaxW=318&Border=0

Wintry weather wasn't enough to prevent two of pro football's most prominent scouting services - BLESTO and National Football Scouting - from getting a look at four South Dakota State standouts during the school's annual junior day held Monday in Brookings.

Defensive lineman Eric Schroeder, receiver JaRon Harris, safety Brock Campbell and quarterback Ryan Berry ran the 40-yard dash (twice), underwent physical measurements and took the Wonderlic Test.

"It's really the start of the evaluation process for our guys," Jackrabbits coach John Stiegelmeier said. "It's just a boost. 'Hey, I got the NFL coming in to time me.' It's a motivator."

It's the first of many motivators as SDSU prepares to begin a month of spring practice Wednesday - indoors - after Saturday's scheduled start was canceled because of inclement conditions.

This season, the Jacks will play at Iowa State in the season opener, their first game against a Football Bowl Subdivision opponent since moving to the Football Championship Subdivision in 2004. They'll also begin play in the rugged Gateway Football Conference after four years in the Great West, and they'll be eligible for the Division I postseason for the first time.

Plus, SDSU is coming off a second consecutive top-25 finish, its first conference title since 1963 and a school record for average home attendance (11,218).

Spring is the time to set the tone for the momentous 2008 campaign. . . . (read more)

[89rabbit]

http://www.argusleader.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080420/SPORTS0202/804200329/1002/sports

SDSU practices at Howard Wood
Coach impressed with younger class

Terry Vandrovec • [email protected] • April 20, 2008

With one week until the annual spring game, the Jackrabbits conducted a practice at Howard Wood Field on a sunny Saturday morning.

They've stopped installing plays so they can focus on physical improvement - and going on the road, interacting with an officiating crew and having an audience proved beneficial.

"I think the guys responded to a crisper day," said coach John Stiegelmeier, whose club has finished in the Football Championship Subdivision top 25 two years in a row. "We had four penalties in 48 plays. That's pretty good because you have double your team. I feel good about it." . . . (read more)

[JackTwice]

This practice was the teams 6th in a row as a snowstorm blew through and cut out a few practices. The fact they looked crisp at all is pretty amazing.

Spring Game is Saturday morning!

[89rabbit]

Another story and video from Saturday's practice:

http://www.ksfy.com/sports/headlines/17946419.html

[89rabbit]

We finally got our spring game in last night (last day allowed by NCAA rules):

http://www.argusleader.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080501/SPORTS0202/805010335/1002/SPORTS

Spring game showcases offense's struggles
Defense takes away positives heading into season

Terry Vandrovec • [email protected] • May 1, 2008

http://cmsimg.argusleader.com/apps/pbcsi.dll/bilde?Site=DF&Date=20080501&Category=SPORTS0202&ArtNo=805010335&Ref=AR&Profile=1002&MaxW=318&Border=0

BROOKINGS - Technically speaking, the defense beat the offense 40-23 in the South Dakota State spring football game on Wednesday night at Coughlin-Alumni Stadium.

Translated into more practical terms, the defense scored more touchdowns than it allowed while the offense didn't score a touchdown at all.

And that is the mixed bag the Jackrabbits will carry into the summer leading up to the highly anticipated 2008 season. They open at Iowa State, join the Gateway Football Conference and - after consecutive top 25 finishes - become playoff eligible in the Football Championship Subdivision. . . . (read more)