SDSU football: O-line, D-line clash in intense, physical practice

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Aug. 4—BROOKINGS — Just a few periods into Tuesday's practice, South Dakota State's fifth as they prepare for the 2026 season, head coach Dan Jackson jumped into the middle of a throng of players as they transitioned from one station to the next.

"Hey!" Jackson shouted. "Let's show a sense of (expletive) urgency out here!"

It's not the first time the second-year coach has challenged his players to take things up a notch if he didn't like what he saw, and in this case it didn't even seem to take hold right away. The next period still felt a little flat. But then in period eight the offense and defense lined up for a team session that wasn't fully live, but allowed for plenty of contact (they call it 'thud', indicating initial contact is allowed but no tackling).

And from that point on, the Jackrabbits got after it.

It started out a little chippy, with some smack talk and a little pushing and shoving. Then it got chippier. A fight broke out. Then another.

The trash talk got louder. The defense started celebrating every stop like it was a playoff game. Offensive linemen finished blocks with an extra shove into the ground. Another fight or two. Enough F-bombs to make John Stiegelmeier cover his ears.

Oh, and it all led to some tremendous football, with players on both sides of the ball making big plays. The Jacks finished practice with a third-down period, and it led to some of the most intense play the Rabbits have demonstrated in a preseason practice.

When it was over, Jackson told his players he loved the intensity and competition, but added they'd have to dial down the fisticuffs.

And the players acknowledged that while it had been a heated practice, they wouldn't want it any other way.

"Third downs, that's everyone, receivers are ready to go, corners are ready to lock them down, O-line vs. D-line, the 1-on-1s — it's gonna get chippy and it's gonna have a lot of energy," said senior defensive tackle Logan Green. "Those are always the fun days. A lot of it has to do with our integrity of who we are as a position group. O-line, D-line, those units are chippy by nature. We're going to stand up for ourselves. We're going to defend one another. We'll probably talk about it at lunch, but once we step off the field, it's over. At the end of the day it builds camaraderie. The back-and-forth is what makes it fun and interesting."

Indeed, offensive tackle Quinten Christensen said the intensity of 1-on-1 battles and the pride involved in the offense going against the defense is what creates the tension and ultimately leads to better play on the field.

"We get outside the facility we're best friends, but you need to have that competitive edge and mindset going into these practices," Christensen said. "I mean, it's a cool day today, perfect weather for football, why the heck not? Let's get after each other. Let's compete."

The taunting and trash talk was especially amusing, as players did not hesitate to let their counterpart know who won a given drill or series.

The Jacks ran an O-line vs. D-line session where they lined up 5 vs. 4 and then rotated 1-on-1, and the battles were fierce and physical. Christensen stood up to the Jacks' best pass rushers, while other battles went back-and-forth.

"That was awesome, and the thing I like is nobody's afraid of competition," Christensen said. "No one's afraid to take an extra rep and everybody wants to compete, get a different look, get a better rep. If a guy loses a rep, hey, I want another one. We all get along really well, but in practice it probably looks like we hate each other. That's what makes us better."

When Stiegelmeier was coach he would make any two players who got into a fight do up-downs as punishment, then after practice when the entire team was huddled up, Stig would call out the offending pair and make them 'hug it out'.

Jackson doesn't do that, and he admitted he likes seeing the chippiness, to a degree.

"They're really close as players, which has translated to them being more competitive at practice," Jackson said. "I'm not letting those things go, but I think if we handle it the right way, which we did today, I think a couple scuffles is pretty healthy. We want to be able to talk trash to one another without it being personal. We want guys to fight like hell to beat the guy across from them and still be friends. And from what I've seen, these guys go at it that hard and then they're able to go into the locker room 20 minutes later and be best buddies. I know I say it a lot, but we do have a special culture and connection here."

As for the football side of things, Jackson said the defensive line had perhaps its best day on Monday, so he was happy to see the O-line strike back with a good day on Tuesday.

Competition at running back is heating up, while the much-discussed defensive line depth appears to be coming together even quicker than hoped.

And at quarterback, Chase Mason was sharp Tuesday. He's still good for one or two airmails per practice but otherwise was firing strikes and looking as mobile as ever. And behind him, Josh Holst, the transfer from Northern Illinois, is coming on strong. He showed impressive accuracy Tuesday and has impressed coaches with his athleticism. Jackson said the battle for QB2 between Holst and Jack Henry may be the closest battle in camp.

Here are some other notes from practice No. 5:

* Sophomore Caden Hotz continues to get a long look at center, taking most of the first team reps on Tuesday, with Shane Willenbring at right guard and Jackson Kerstin and John Pica splitting time at right tackle (Kenyon Big Bow is currently sidelined with an injury).

Cooper Starks, the 6-5, 330-pound transfer from Vanderbilt, is also getting lots of reps at center. Starks definitely has a mean streak, finishing blocks hard and going after linebackers and anyone else who gets in front of him. Starks was in the thick of a few of the scuffles on Tuesday.

* Former Jackrabbit great Cade Johnson was at practice Tuesday, his first time back on campus since graduating in 2020. Johnson played three years in the NFL, and spoke to the team after practice, using his story as a walk-on to professional receiver to inspire the current players.

* After practice, SDSU wideouts Grahm Goering and Jack Smith approached Johnson to introduce themselves and seek advice for their post-college career. Coach Jackson also introduced Johnson to freshman wide receiver Alex Uchtman. Uchtman has impressed in the early stages of camp so Jackson wanted the two to meet.

* Other freshmen that have been impressive early on include defensive back Michael "Tank" Farr (whom teammates are comparing to former Jacks safety Tucker Large), running back Jay'Veon Scott, cornerback Emeir White and offensive lineman Micah Hach.

* Cornerback Noah St. Juste was wearing a GoPro camera on his helmet Tuesday. Should probably keep an eye out for something entertaining on the GoJacksFB social media.

* New to this season, Jackson carries a handheld microphone on the field so he can make announcements and call for station changes over the stadium speakers.

* Defensive line coach Logan McCormick has quickly established himself as the most intense of the position coaches. McCormick is just a few years removed from a standout playing career as a defensive end at North Dakota State, and he's loud and animated on the field. He looks like he could still play, and the players on both sides of the line are responding favorably.

"I just respect the crap out of him, with the way he carries himself and the mentality he's brought to that group," said Christensen. "He's very intense. He cares a lot and he coaches them hard. I think that's how you're supposed to coach."

The respect is mutual. After practice was over and players were still buzzing over the scuffles during team sessions, McCormick told his D-linemen being chippy and playing hard to the whistle is exactly what they want out of their offensive line.

* Kate Bergstrom, the wife of defensive coordinator Brian Bergstrom, showed up towards the end of practice wearing a Nike tank top.

Jackson saw her and blew his whistle.

"That's a fine, Bergstrom," he said. "We're an Under Armour school."

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