The Jacks, what to expect...

This will be in a couple installments

Offense, QB is the same as last year with SR Taryn Christion(6’2, 225) at the helm for his 4th season. He started as a true freshman a handful of games. What can you say about him, finalist for many awards and a member of the All State insurance good works team. He holds most career numbers for QBs in the MVFC and just threw his 100th career TD. But he’s far from a pocket passer and has several long runs in his career including his long of 91yds. This season in 10 games(our first game was cancelled, storms) he’s thrown for 2500+ yds, 28 TDs against 6 INTs with 60% comp.

At RB we lost Sr Wallace to a hip injury but this position is deep. Jr Daniel(6’, 225) is the short yardage guy and will push the pile. RS Fr Strong Jr(5’11, 200)started the season as 4th string. He came on strong(pun intended) at the end and won MVFC freshman of the year. In 10 games he’s over 750yds and several TDs, but really came on the last 3 with over 400 yds of rushing. True Fr Wilson(5’10, 195) started the season as 3rd string and emerged too until a deep thigh bruise sidelined him. He could make his return this Saturday. Both Strong jr and Wilson are threats to take it to the house from anywhere on the field, both having several 40 yd+ TDs and a few 70+ yd TDs. At FB JrSellers(6’1, 245) is essentially a pulling guard, not really a threat to run or catch, he just clears the path.

The O-line, affectionately call #605HOGS,(play off of SDs area code) are deep and big with a good rotation of 6-7 guys consistently. They range in size from 6’4-6’8 and 290#-315#. Maulers and good at pass blocking they work well together. They are the foundation for the 45.4 ppg, 511yards of offense and almost 31 min avg Time of possession.

We graduated a 2nd round pick at TE in Dallas Goedert who is across your state with the Eagles. In his place are Hart and Kunz. Hart(6’3, 250) is a great blocker and an able pass catcher...Kunz is a true freshman in only his 2nd year of playing FB. He’s 6’5, 240# and plays like a vet already with 14 rec, 294 yds and 2TDs, including a 64 yd TD last game in the snow.

At WR we graduated Weineke who holds every MVFC receiving record by a long margin. Now there is Soph Cade Johnson(5’10, 180) leading the way. He’s fast and shifty, has tallied 1072 yds on 52 rec and 15TDs. He gets deep often. Jr Anderson(6’1, 200) is a possession guy and has 669yds on 42 rec and 6 TDs. Brown, another Jr is another threat. While the WRs are dynamic even more impressive to me is their blocking, they pride themselves on it and do this exceptionally as evidenced by the 232yds of rushing our team a avgs per game.

That’s a snippet of the offense, I’ll do defense soon.

Last edited by jackedforlife (11/26/2018 5:27 pm)

Thanks Judge...latest weather report has temps between 25-33...moisture is a possibility but looks like it’ll hold off until later in the day/evening.

I’ll touch on Special Teams here quick. This unit as a whole has improved and is as consistent as they’ve ever been.

Punting duties are handled by 4 yr man Sr Brady Hale(6’4, 215), he started as a true freshman and has been terrific. He’s getting looks at the next level so don’t be surprised if you see him next fall on Sundays. He’s pretty good at pinning the opposition deep.

LS Sorensen is consistent which is exactly what you want from that position, earlier today he earned some all conference accolades.

At Punt returner DB Marshon Harris has been sure handed and generally pretty smart. He doesn’t return much for yards but he rarely makes any mistakes.

Place and FG kicker is Jr Chase Vinatieri(yep of that lineage, NFL scoring leader). Chase is Adam’s nephew and is climbing the SDSU scoring charts and has already surpassed his uncle in that category. Chase is clutch in many situations and has a 57yd FG this year too. He does at times hit a slump but, like his uncle is pretty sure footed when it matters. He’s also very fast and has 2 fake TDs under his belt and has been know to run down a return guy and lay the wood.

The coverage units have been as good as they’ve been in the last 10 years...which is good because in years past this was a problem. Team depth has helped improve this immensely.

On KR there have been a few back returning this year but lately it’s been Sophomore Johnson(he had 3 TD returns last season) who was all FCS KR last year. Joining him is a Fr Hill(5’11, 185#) who is shifty and speedy in his own right.

Last edited by jackedforlife (11/26/2018 9:50 pm)

Duquesne probably matches up a little better against SDSU this time. Last year I think Hines was banged up and we didn't quite have the size, depth, and speed to compete with a program like that.

Not that we have a great shot Saturday ... like I said earlier, we might as well be lining up against Ohio State, as good as SDSU is. But we have some nice players who give us a puncher's chance.

While I can't provide quite the high-quality scouting report, here's what I know: Starts with Hines (256/1,536/15 TDs) and his big OL. Alex Conley (6-4, 305) and Matt Fitzpatrick (6-3, 300) on the left side and Nick Jordan (6-6, 300) and Colin Wittig (6-5, 275) on the right side surround center Gabe Spurlkock (6-4, 290). Probably the biggest DU OL in a while, and they do a good job of grinding. Daniel Parr is the QB (174/287/9 INT/20 TDs). He transferred from Florida Atlantic University. Hines (5-11, 225) is a wrecking ball, and the complementary tailback is a converted DB, Daquan Worley (5-10, 185 - 31/341/4 TDs), who has broken off some long TD runs. Parr throws to Nehari Crawford (5-11, 175 - 67/1,017/10 TDs), Kellon Taylor - who also plays basketball at DU (6-5, 220 - 39/479/2 TDs), TE Stew Allen (6-2, 270 - 6/67/5 TDs), Kareem Coles (6-1, 190 - 28/275), and others.

Defensively there's size up front with Pitt transfer Kam Carter (6-4, 295), Rob Marra (6-2, 275), Roman Macek (6-2, 265); athleticism at LB with Brett Zanotto (6-1, 215 - 86 tackles), Jalen Booker (6-3, 225 - 4-1/2 sacks, 8-1/2 TFL), Mike O'Malley (6-1, 250 - 6 QBH); and playmakers in the defensive backfield in Jonathant Istache (5-10, 180 - 4 INTs, 3 FF, 14 PD), Spencer DeMedal (6-2, 200), Leandro DeBrito (6-2, 200), Brandon Stanback (6-0, 195), and Reid Harrison-Ducros (5-10, 185). Worley also plays some DB.

Mitch Maczura is the kicker (9/10 FGs) and punter (40.2 avg).

ElDuque wrote:

Not that we have a great shot Saturday ... like I said earlier, we might as well be lining up against Ohio State, as good as SDSU is. But we have some nice players who give us a puncher's chance.

Sagarin computer system gives us a 0.4% chance of advancing. Hoooompf.

Although we have peers. Montana State has a. 8% chance of beating NDSU in their Sagarin projections.

Go Dukes, baby

Here is the latest and greatest weather forecast...😕

“It is looking more likely that s fairly significant winter storm system will impact parts of our region this weekend. Scattered showers will develop late Friday afternoon and change to freezing rain and sleet on Friday evening before becoming all snow Friday night. Snow will continue through Saturday and most of Sunday. Strong wind could create blowing snow at times as well. This system has yet to develop, so it's a little difficult to pinpoint the track and specific snow totals at this time, but as of right now it's looking as though parts of our region - especially Central and Southern South Dakota, much of Nebraska, southern Minnesota and Northwestern Iowa could be dealing with winter weather through the weekend.“

It could skirt just to the South of Brookings...we will see.

ElDuque wrote:

Pittsburgh weather. The boys will love it.

I figured they would love it...my favorite games are snow games. Normally snow games make offenses one dimensional, but the Jacks don’t shy away from the pass regardless of weather.

I figure it will benefit the Dukes some of the weather isn’t particularly nice.

Seeing the master plan, I hope the Dukes get a chance to do the upgrades. The Jacks just upgraded a couple years ago and the facilities are making a HUGE difference in recruiting.

Here is the link, http://danajdykhousestadium.com

Sioux Falls is about an hour(50 miles) south...all interstate. But don’t worry, if they get snowed in they will be well taken care of.

If it tracks as planned the storm should skirt to the south but will more than likely still get the major airport in Sioux Falls. I could see the team getting to spend an extra night in SD. Wind looks to be significant at 20-30mph out of the NE, about the worst direction for it to blow in our stadium. Oh well, here’s to a fun and competitive game with no or limited injuries.

Last edited by jackedforlife (11/29/2018 4:55 pm)

levon1975 wrote:

AJ and Daquon and a puff of snowI  The run game will rule the day if the weather is bad! 

You misspelled Mikey and Pierre...🤣

Could be a game with a combined 900 yards of rushing.

Thanks for all the commentary, Jacked.  It is most appreciated since Duquesne plays in a city where the Steelers, Pirates, Penguins, Riverhounds and Pitt all draw more attention.

Some local sports reports don't even mention the game.

Offense better show up soon. Defense is holding on.

AJ Hines needs to get into this game. Bad start for him between going the wrong direction on a third and one, the fumble, and then that terrible missed block resulting in a big sack.

Last edited by Dukes2012 (12/01/2018 3:57 pm)