YOUNG PLAYERS SHINE IN SPRING GAME

Saturday, April 13

Brookings, S.D.

10:30 a.m.

South Dakota State University

Spring Game

Photo by: ©SampsonSnapshots

4/13/2024 2:21:00 PM | Football

Brenden Begeman's 70-yard touchdown run late in the second half officially gave the South Dakota State offense a 21-17 victory over the defense in the Jackrabbits' annual Spring Game Saturday morning at the Sanford-Jackrabbit Athletic Complex.

The defense began the day with a 17-0 lead, but it didn't take long for the Jackrabbit offense to get on the board under the direction of quarterback and reigning Walter Payton Award winner Mark Gronowski. In his lone series, Gronowski completed all five of his pass attempts for 38 yards as the offense drove 65 yards on 12 plays. Angel Johnson capped the drive with a 2-yard touchdown run.

For most of the rest of the first half, the defense held the upper hand by allowing only one first down over the next four offensive series. Immediately after the lone offensive first down in that stretch — a 35-yard pass from Chase Mason to Griffin Wilde — sophomore defensive end Dawson Ripperda came up with a sack and another tackle for a short gain to end the drive.

Ripperda was credited with three of the five sacks registered by the Jackrabbit defense and finished with four total tackles.

The combination of Mason and redshirt freshman Kentrell Prejean pulled the offense to 17-14 at the half by hooking up three times in a two-minute situation. On the first play of the drive, Mason connected with Prejean for a 25-yard gain, then moments later Mason hit Prejean in stride along the right sideline for 34 yards to the 2-yard line. Two plays later, Mason hit Prejean on the slant in the end zone for a 1-yard touchdown.

Mason completed 7-of-8 passes for 110 yards.

The offense took what would be its only lead of the game late in the second half when Begeman weaved his way through the left side and turned on the jets on his way to the end zone for a 70-yard score. The redshirt freshman from Selby six times for a game-high 80 yards in the contest.

Another two-minute drill closed out the event and it looked as though the offense would put an exclamation point on its performance. Three consecutive pass completions by Jon Bell, two of which were to Prejean for seven and 17 yards moved the ball to the 28-yard line of the defense. Jeff Becker then came in at quarterback and his second attempt, which was intended for Dane Miller in the end zone was broken up by Noah Thompson.

However, true freshman safety Trey Ridley came up with the lone turnover of the day as he made a diving interception at the 7-yard line on a Becker pass as he attempted to evade the rush.

Prejean tallied six catches for 95 yards, with fellow redshirt freshman Davin Stoffel adding four catches for 29 yards from his tight end position.

Daeton Mcgaughy and Chase Van Tol each registered five tackles. Adam Bock added four stops.

UP NEXT
The Jackrabbits are scheduled to open the 2024 season with an Aug. 31 matchup at Oklahoma State.

-GoJacks.com-