FARGO – When South Dakota State left Gate City Bank Field at the Fargodome last December, the Jackrabbits also bid goodbye to two of the greatest offensive stars in their program's history. Quarterback Austin Sumner and running back Zach Zenner rewrote the record book on many occasions.
Yet, one season later, the Jacks are showing no signs of slowing down. They may have lost their star power, but so far have not lost their offensive power.
"It does take a little bit out of their running game but they know how to replace guys just like we do," said NDSU defensive line coach Nick Goeser. "You have to prepare for them just the same."
Instead of Zenner, NDSU is preparing for a more diversified backfield that starts with running back Brady Mengarelli and shifts to other backs depending on the situation. Zenner never came off the field, no matter what down it was.
Instead of Sumner, the Bison are preparing for quarterback Zach Lujan, who at 6-foot-2 is not as big as the 6-5 Sumner but appears more athletic and more of a threat to run. Rare was the effective scramble by Sumner over the years.
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"He's playing with a lot of confidence right now," Bison linebacker M.J. Stumpf said of Lujan. "Their team is clicking, and he's making good passes. Just seeing him on film, he's making the right reads and we have to treat him like a top tier quarterback."
SDSU is seventh in the FCS in scoring per game at 43.3 a game and seventh in total offense averaging 520.7 yards. Those two statistics are on pace to easily clip last year's totals, granted they came against three nonconference opponents who may not be able to match the more physical defenses of the Missouri Valley Football Conference.
Still, the production has been solid.
"I think they rely more on their offensive line," Goeser said. "Their O-line is as athletic as I've seen them since I've been here. They have guys up front that can really move. Their backs are downhill guys-Zenner obviously was a downhill guy, but he had unbelievable speed who could break the long one. Not to say these guys couldn't, but they are a little bit different than where they've been."
The Bison defense, on the other hand, is much different from what they've been in previous years with several new players. After a tough day at Montana to open the season, they've shown signs of growth the last two games.
The University of North Dakota, for instance, is averaging 136 yards rushing a game but had just four against the Bison.
"It's a matter of comfortability-I think it's grown immensely since fall camp," said Stumpf, in his first year as a starter. "Game reps are huge, even for myself who hasn't had a ton of experience. But now that we're in the Valley, that will show its true colors."
