We'll hear from Eli Drinkwitz in a minute.
He' says they're excited to prove who they really are. He appreciates season ticket holders and the students. He mentions how last season's opener was a great environment.
There's a new Tiger Walk in the Founder's lot.
He calls South Dakota a very good football team. He mentions their OC coming from South Dakota State which has won numerous titles.
He said they have an elite left-hand QB who can make all the throws. He said their RB reminds him of Cody Schrader.
He expects many 12-13 personnel shifts, QB runs, inside and outside zone runs, etc. from South Dakota.
He said they've been a top 20 FCS defense year in and year out.
They've got 3 preseason All-Americans, including 2 at linebacker.
They've got a dynamic cornerback who six turnovers in the first four games of the season, who is also a preseason All-American.
Drink said he won't discuss what QB will start.
He said they have to allow the quarterbacks to play with a rhythm. So, that way, they don't think they can be pulled the next play. There's a plan in place but he won't give that out.
He said the reality no QB took themselves out of the race. He said multiple QBs were offensive player of the day during practices and camps.
He said no one on the team is nervous to play either quarterback.
He said he's had convos with a couple of other coaches as far as having a QB competition going into the season.
Drink said OL has to establish the line of scrimmage and protect the quarterback. He said there were multiple games with sacks and QB hits allowed.
Drink said one guy separated himself in punt battle, but that they'll do one more go around on Sunday. He said both Lke Bauer and Riley Williams had a great day of practice recently but one stood out just a little more (he didn't reveal who did a little better).
Wants to see if defense can cover, pressure QB and get takeaways by any means necessary, basically.
Drink said WR Theo Wease's leadership has been needed and appreciated in the WR room. He's a strong voice that shows everyone what it takes to be an elite player. He said they have three young WRs who will play.
He said Theo will have opportunities to play in the sot because of the style of offense through using formations like a stack. But he's good on boundary but he's versatile enough to do other stuff.
He also said Mookie Cooper has also been a good leader.
He said the mock game last Saturday was a good foreshadowing moment for Thursday's game for the young players.
LB Chad Bailey is undergoing a procedure today and he will be out for "21 days, maybe less, maybe more."
Dameon Wilson and Chuck Hicks have stepped up in this absence. Drink said they've been practicing expecting Bailey to not be there. So, it's nothing new.
Drink said there's a lot of competitive depth throughout the roster. Quality enough that whoever the backup is will have a legitimate argument to be playing which is something he said he's never experienced in his tenure.
CB Marcus Clarke has had "an outstanding camp." Drink said he can't say enough good things about him.
There was a time when Realus George and Josh Landry were the best DTs on the team.
"Sidney Williams is pushing Daylan Carnell and Tre'Vez Johnson is pushing Joe Charleston and Carlies."
"Nyles Gaddy and Joe Moore are really pushing Johnny Walker."
Same sentiment for RB Jamal Roberts in the running back room and Mekhi Miller for the wide receivers.
Drink confirmed TEs Jordon Harris and Brett Norfleet will play week one and have "significant roles."
Drink said that the offensive line is the most improved unit on the team. He said Coach Jones' coaching has been remarkable.
He notes how Connor Tollison went to work instead of pouting and met the challenge head-on.
Logan Reichert's nickname is "Big Show."
Drink said takeaways were 12% on takeaway attempts (times where they tried to punch out a fumble or something like that). They want to increase that number.
He said the defensive staff has embraced it and presented it well to the team.
He' says they're excited to prove who they really are. He appreciates season ticket holders and the students. He mentions how last season's opener was a great environment.
There's a new Tiger Walk in the Founder's lot.
He calls South Dakota a very good football team. He mentions their OC coming from South Dakota State which has won numerous titles.
He said they have an elite left-hand QB who can make all the throws. He said their RB reminds him of Cody Schrader.
He expects many 12-13 personnel shifts, QB runs, inside and outside zone runs, etc. from South Dakota.
He said they've been a top 20 FCS defense year in and year out.
They've got 3 preseason All-Americans, including 2 at linebacker.
They've got a dynamic cornerback who six turnovers in the first four games of the season, who is also a preseason All-American.
Drink said he won't discuss what QB will start.
He said they have to allow the quarterbacks to play with a rhythm. So, that way, they don't think they can be pulled the next play. There's a plan in place but he won't give that out.
He said the reality no QB took themselves out of the race. He said multiple QBs were offensive player of the day during practices and camps.
He said no one on the team is nervous to play either quarterback.
He said he's had convos with a couple of other coaches as far as having a QB competition going into the season.
Drink said OL has to establish the line of scrimmage and protect the quarterback. He said there were multiple games with sacks and QB hits allowed.
Drink said one guy separated himself in punt battle, but that they'll do one more go around on Sunday. He said both Lke Bauer and Riley Williams had a great day of practice recently but one stood out just a little more (he didn't reveal who did a little better).
Wants to see if defense can cover, pressure QB and get takeaways by any means necessary, basically.
Drink said WR Theo Wease's leadership has been needed and appreciated in the WR room. He's a strong voice that shows everyone what it takes to be an elite player. He said they have three young WRs who will play.
He said Theo will have opportunities to play in the sot because of the style of offense through using formations like a stack. But he's good on boundary but he's versatile enough to do other stuff.
He also said Mookie Cooper has also been a good leader.
He said the mock game last Saturday was a good foreshadowing moment for Thursday's game for the young players.
LB Chad Bailey is undergoing a procedure today and he will be out for "21 days, maybe less, maybe more."
Dameon Wilson and Chuck Hicks have stepped up in this absence. Drink said they've been practicing expecting Bailey to not be there. So, it's nothing new.
Drink said there's a lot of competitive depth throughout the roster. Quality enough that whoever the backup is will have a legitimate argument to be playing which is something he said he's never experienced in his tenure.
CB Marcus Clarke has had "an outstanding camp." Drink said he can't say enough good things about him.
There was a time when Realus George and Josh Landry were the best DTs on the team.
"Sidney Williams is pushing Daylan Carnell and Tre'Vez Johnson is pushing Joe Charleston and Carlies."
"Nyles Gaddy and Joe Moore are really pushing Johnny Walker."
Same sentiment for RB Jamal Roberts in the running back room and Mekhi Miller for the wide receivers.
Drink confirmed TEs Jordon Harris and Brett Norfleet will play week one and have "significant roles."
Drink said that the offensive line is the most improved unit on the team. He said Coach Jones' coaching has been remarkable.
He notes how Connor Tollison went to work instead of pouting and met the challenge head-on.
Logan Reichert's nickname is "Big Show."
Drink said takeaways were 12% on takeaway attempts (times where they tried to punch out a fumble or something like that). They want to increase that number.
He said the defensive staff has embraced it and presented it well to the team.
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