8 things to know about UND's next opponent No. 1 South Dakota State
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Oct. 14—GRAND FORKS — The UND football program will look to bounce back Saturday when the Fighting Hawks host the No. 1-ranked team in the FCS.
South Dakota State comes to the Alerus Center for a 1 p.m. kickoff. Here are eight things to know about the opponent:
A year ago, UND didn't have to face South Dakota State star quarterback Chase Mason as he was out with an injury. The Fighting Hawks, though, won't be as fortunate this season it appears.
Mason is expected to start against UND as the Jackrabbits come off a bye week, according to reporting by Matt Zimmer of Sioux Falls Live.
Mason has missed SDSU's last two games — wins over Eastern Illinois and Illinois State. He suffered a knee injury in SDSU's win over Youngstown State on Sept. 19.
The Jacks started Josh Holst in Mason's absence. Holst was 18-for-23 for 153 yards and two touchdowns against Illinois State.
SDSU coach Dan Jackson said he anticipates seeing UND backup quarterback Javance Tupou'ata-Johnson but said he hopes Jerry Kaminski returns to health quickly.
"I'm really pulling for the starter," Jackson said. "He's a competitor. He's fun to watch and plays the right way. I'm hoping he's healthy in the long run."
Jackson said there isn't much film of Tupou'ata-Johnson to study.
"But he's there for a reason," Jackson said. "You don't bring a QB with you (from San Diego State) if you don't expect him to compete for the starting spot. We aren't going to change a lot schematically. We aren't going to trick ourselves, but we'll have things we'll present differently than have been on film."
Jackson was asked this week about UND's recent bad starts to games. The Hawks were down 21-0 to Murray State two weeks ago and 24-7 to Northern Iowa last Saturday.
"Schmidt will do a good job having those guys ready to play," Jackson said. "I know they'll do everything they can to stop that trend.
"I know starting fast is going to be an emphasis with them … conversely, that needs to focus for us, as well."
South Dakota media asked Jackson about UND's struggles defensively this year, but the head coach pushed back — especially highlighting the Fighting Hawks' defensive line.
"I see a defense that plays really hard and is getting its best player back," Jackson said, referencing UND All-American Lance Rucker. "The defensive line is active and disruptive."
Jackson gave a tip of the hat to UND edge Braden Mohr, who has a Missouri Valley Football Conference-best 7.5 sacks.
"A player with 7.5 sacks, which is amazing," Jackson said. "Schmidt is the defensive coordinator, and I've seen his work. He's a very talented coach. I don't know what has led to the points (UND has given up) but I know when I watch them … when they're playing, they're as good as any defense in the country."
In an unique scheduling setup, South Dakota State comes to Grand Forks for the third season in a row.
Jackson was asked this week about the familiarity with the trip.
"Thankfully, they have a great turf and surface," Jackson said. "We're staying in a hotel connected to our building, so you don't even go outside once you're there."
The Jacks planned to prep in an indoor setting this week.
"Players have familiarity with the noise and the feel," Jackson said. "But I know their fan base will be fired up for this game. We'll be as comfortable as we can be within the chaos."
South Dakota State linebacker Cullen McShane was named over the summer to the initial watch list for the Stats Perform FCS Buck Buchanan Award, which is presented annually to the top defensive player in the FCS.
A senior from Marquette, Iowa, McShane is coming off a 2025 season in which he ranked second on the Jackrabbits' squad with 88 total tackles. He added 7.5 tackles for loss, a sack and a forced fumble en route to being named to the all-Missouri Valley Football Conference Second Team.
McShane has tallied 26 tackles and a team-best four tackles for loss and two sacks over the last five games. He matched a career high with 12 tackles, including a pair of tackles for loss, in the road win at Illinois State earlier this month.
The Jacks enter this week leading the FCS in rushing offense and ranking second in total offense.
Highlighted by topping the 400-yard mark for rushing in a game for the first time in two seasons with 408 yards Sept. 26 against Eastern Illinois, the Jackrabbits are averaging a national-best 291.8 yards per game on the ground.
SDSU is led by Josiah Johnson's 680 rushing yards (113.3 yards per game).
Reserve running back James Basinger is averaging 12.9 yards per carry, gaining 401 yards on only 31 carries, while Corey Blair Jr. has picked up 274 yards. As a team, the Jackrabbits have averaged 7.0 yards per rushing attempt thus far in 2026.
Through six games, the Jackrabbits also rank second with 503.7 yards of total offense per game and rank third in scoring offense at 40.8 points per game.
SDSU wide receiver Grahm Goering is having a big year in a sixth season of eligibility.
He leads the team with 309 receiving yards and is tied for second on the team with 19 receptions through the first six games of 2026. He had a career-high nine receptions for 117 yards Sept. 5 at Northwestern.
Over his last nine games, dating back to the 2025 regular season finale at UND, Goering has caught 31 passes for 549 yards and two touchdowns.
His 23-yard touchdown in overtime last Nov. 22 in Grand Forks sent the Jackrabbits to the playoffs. He then opened postseason play with six catches for 75 yards against New Hampshire, followed by four receptions for a career-best 137 yards at Montana that included a school-record 95-yard touchdown catch and run in the opening quarter.
Goering tallied his 100th career reception in the Oct. 3 win at Illinois State, becoming the 29th player in program history to reach that milestone. For his career, Goering has totaled 100 catches for 1,496 yards and seven touchdowns.
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