Happy Hour with John Gaskins

Back in April, when South Dakota appeared to have a red-hot three-horse starting quarterback race, the Happy Hour host asked new head coach Matt Vitzthum how to pronounce the consonant-heavy last name of the redshirt freshman who was duking it out with a pair of seniors—both of whom had previously been worthy of a roster spot at FBS Northern Illinois. "You're going to want to remember this name," Vitzthum said of two-time Colorado Gatorade Player of the Year Austin Modzewski: "It's Muh-jet-skee." Of course, most human brains went straight to, "sounds like 'my jet ski.'" "Vitz" was dropping a hint that Modzewski was a player Coyote fans would get to know eventually, and that moment arrived during Saturday's season opener against Central Connecticut State. It didn't take long for the kid to look like he was blazing at turbo speed on his jet ski on your local lake. Modzewski's 68-yard fuel-injected touchdown run on USD's second drive — following a shaky three-and-out debut possession — was his "Hello, World" moment. And it was not a flash in the pan. The freshman earned the Missouri Valley Football Conference Offensive Player of the Week honor by tying Coyote Hall of Famer Wes Boschoner's school record of six touchdown passes, part of a 16-for-20, 304-yard virtuoso through the air to go with his land speed showcase. What contributed to that performance? Also, is this a sign that Vitzthum, with a background in both quarterback coaching and offensive play-calling, plans to keep opening up an offense that last season was a mostly-tightly-wrapped ground-and-pound-and-play-action vehicle under defensive-minded head coach Travis Johansen? Vitzthum provides answers to those questions, plus the impact on the entire offense of running back Keyondray Jones-Logan's return, the "new" but experienced offensive line, and defensive highlights from the 59-20 bludgeoning of the Blue Devils. "Coach Vitz" also walks through his emotions in his first-ever game as a head coach, anywhere, and what he saw in Saturday's opponent Northern Colorado from the Bears' one-point loss to Big Sky foe Weber State. UNC had the Coyotes beaten in last season's Game 3 in the DakotaDome before the Yotes pulled a rabbit out of the hat and won in overtime. What remains the same and what new challenges will the Bears bring on both offense and defense? After Vitz's weekly Happy Hour conversation, the host\ calls on USD TV analyst and former Coyote cornerback Andre Fields for his own assessment, plus some rather deep and illuminating thoughts on the size of USD's home crowds and what can be done to make them grow. Before all this, the host addresses the bigger picture: Would USD be ready both on the field and at the bank if the FBS came calling today? The answer to the former seems obvious. The answer to the latter is not so clear. And what about SDSU? Instead of wondering, you'll hear what recent plugged-in Happy Hour guests have said to clue the public in on if both South Dakota schools would be ready and able to afford the FBS life that North Dakota State just signed up for, and is currently crushing (so far).

The host calls on USD TV analyst and former Coyote cornerback Andre Fields for his own assessment of USD's 59-20 throttling of Central Connecticut Sate, plus some rather deep and illuminating thoughts on the size of USD's home crowds and what can be done to make them grow. Back in April, when South Dakota appeared to have a red-hot three-horse starting quarterback race, the Happy Hour host asked new head coach Matt Vitzthum how to pronounce the consonant-heavy last name of the redshirt freshman who was duking it out with a pair of seniors—both of whom had previously been worthy of a roster spot at FBS Northern Illinois. "You're going to want to remember this name," Vitzthum said of two-time Colorado Gatorade Player of the Year Austin Modzewski: "It's Muh-jet-skee." Of course, most human brains went straight to, "sounds like 'my jet ski.'" "Vitz" was dropping a hint that Modzewski was a player Coyote fans would get to know eventually, and that moment arrived during Saturday's season opener against Central Connecticut State. It didn't take long for the kid to look like he was blazing at turbo speed on his jet ski on your local lake. Modzewski's 68-yard fuel-injected touchdown run on USD's second drive — following a shaky three-and-out debut possession — was his "Hello, World" moment. And it was not a flash in the pan. The freshman earned the Missouri Valley Football Conference Offensive Player of the Week honor by tying Coyote Hall of Famer Wes Boschoner's school record of six touchdown passes, part of a 16-for-20, 304-yard virtuoso through the air to go with his land speed showcase. What contributed to that performance? Also, is this a sign that Vitzthum, with a background in both quarterback coaching and offensive play-calling, plans to keep opening up an offense that last season was a mostly-tightly-wrapped ground-and-pound-and-play-action vehicle under defensive-minded head coach Travis Johansen? Fields answers these questions, plus the impact on the entire offense of running back Keyondray Jones-Logan's return, the "new" but experienced offensive line, and defensive highlights from the 59-20 bludgeoning of the Blue Devils. Then, some words on Saturday's opponent Northern Colorado. UNC had the Coyotes beaten in last season's Game 3 in the DakotaDome before the Yotes pulled a rabbit out of the hat and won in overtime. What remains the same and what new challenges will the Bears bring on both offense and defense?

You want more explosions? You got 'em in blowout wins to open the season, whether you're a Jackrabbit or Coyote fan. South Dakota State's offense put on a fireworks show of 628 total yards — 393 rushing, 235 passing — with touchdowns of 78, 73, 52, 27, 27, and 20 yards, plus a 65-yard punt return to the end zone in a 70-7 bombardment of Stetson, the lowest-rated FCS team last season. South Dakota lit up 2025 FCS playoff team Central Connecticut State with 594 total yards — 327 passing, 267 rushing — in a 56-20 assault that included scoring plays of 68, 61, 45, 49, 38, 24, and 23 yards. Both Rushmore State squads scored 42 points by halftime. Both quarterbacks displayed their big arms and commands of their offense. Both defenses tortured their opponents for three hours. But, what does it all really mean, considering the Jacks were favored to win by seven touchdowns and the Coytes were expected to win by three scores? Inquiring football minds want to know, and Happy Hour brought in two of the more fertile football minds in South Dakota to answer that question and many more on Monday. SDSU head coach Dan Jackson spent over a half-hour with the host expounding on his observations, including the depth at running back, development of quarterback Chase Mason, how the entire team got faster, and how all of it, if any, translates into this Saturday's steep leap in competition from Stetson to Northwestern. South Dakota Sports Hall of Famer Kurtiss Riggs — a veteran TV analyst for Jacks telecasts and local high school football — brings his SDSU breakdowns, but also sheds light on: * USD quarterback Austin Modrzewski's "hello, world" debut, tying Wes Boschoner's school record with six touchdown passes, plus a 68-yard burst for his first collegiate rushing touchdown— all part of 387 all-purpose yards day. * North Dakota State's 33-7 smothering of Jacksonville State in the Bison's FBS debut, which included a crowd almost as large as SDSU's in Brookings * Why USD's uniforms and NDSU's stadium production matter much more than you may think * Augustana's 63-58 track meet win at Missouri Western * USF's upset loss to Black Hills State at home * Why the Lincoln Patriots' odds of reaching a fourth consecutive state championship game look long after a season-opening 42-35 upset loss to O'Gorman * What to expect out of Alabama after Riggs, who, as always, spent some time talking to his best friend and USF national championship teammate Kalen DeBoen throughout the spring and summer

SDSU head coach Dan Jackson spent over a half-hour with the host expounding on his observations of Saturday's blowout win over Stetson, including the depth at running back, development of quarterback Chase Mason, how the entire team got faster, and how all of it, if any, translates into this Saturday's steep leap in competition from Stetson to Northwestern. How does he prepare for a new offense, guided by Chip Kelly, and a defense that was salty last year and added some transfer depth up front?

Let the games begin! Finally, the Jackrabbits, Coyotes, Vikings, Cougars and all the Sioux Falls area 11-man high school teams are kicking off their seasons. This means the second season of Happy Hour's "Thirsty Thursday Football Forecast" kicks off. The Happy Hour host and Sioux Falls Live sportswriter Trent Singer dive into the matchups and "what to watch" for the games involving our local college and prep squads. While No. 3 SDSU (-47.5 vs. Stetson) and No. 12 USD (-23.5 vs. Central Connecticut State) are heavy favorites to roll at home in their openers, there's plenty of intrigue regarding what both the Jacks and Yotes will look like after fans and media have spent the eight nine months talking and writing about them. Which players are we most excited to see? How will the quarterbacks perform, and how will offensive game plans be designed? Who might be some breakout players who have yet to take a snap or make a big play in a college football game? Which defensive weak spots may be vulnerable? Thursday is kickoff for two Div. II teams in Sioux Falls. NSIC coaches rated Augustana No. 3 out of 15 teams in their preseason poll, while USF is slotted at No. 4. Is either team under "upset alert" in their openers? Plus, there are three Top 5 matchups involving Sioux Falls metro area teams to preview: * Class 11AAA — No. 3 SF Jefferson at #4 Harrisburg * Class 11AAA — No. 5 O'Gorman at No. 1 SF Lincoln * Class 11A — No. 1 SF Christian at No. 2 Lennox Matt Zimmer's wife joins to discuss a serious public school cause Imagine being a kid at school and being denied lunch. Sadly, this may happen soon for some K-12 students in the Sioux Falls School District due to the district's $22,300 school lunch debt. Every student has an "account" for school food. In some cases, those accounts accrue negative amounts, and the dreaded "insufficient funds" notice appears, forcing school officials to deny food or provide an insufficient "snack" instead of a meal. As someone who experienced the anxiety and shame of needing assistance to eat lunch during the school day as a child, Jenn Kenyon Zimmer — wife of Sioux Falls Live sports editor Matt Zimmer and mother of a 10-year-old in the SFSD — and other parents have stepped up to ensure no child goes hungry during a school day. She wrote a recent Sioux Falls Live column about her mission, along with the nonprofit fundraising group Hungry Hearts SF. In her conversation with the Happy Hour host, Kenyon Zimmer displays the emotion associated with her past trauma on this topic and explains why donating to SFSD Child Nutrition is worthwhile.

Let the games begin! Finally, the Jackrabbits, Coyotes, Vikings, Cougars and all the Sioux Falls area 11-man high school teams are kicking off their seasons. This means the second season of Happy Hour's "Thirsty Thursday Football Forecast" kicks off. The Happy Hour host and Sioux Falls Live sportswriter Trent Singer dive into the matchups and "what to watch" for the games involving our local college and prep squads. While No. 3 SDSU (-47.5 vs. Stetson) and No. 12 USD (-23.5 vs. Central Connecticut State) are heavy favorites to roll at home in their openers, there's plenty of intrigue regarding what both the Jacks and Yotes will look like after fans and media have spent the eight nine months talking and writing about them. Which players are we most excited to see? How will the quarterbacks perform, and how will offensive game plans be designed? Who might be some breakout players who have yet to take a snap or make a big play in a college football game? Which defensive weak spots may be vulnerable? Thursday is kickoff for two Div. II teams in Sioux Falls. NSIC coaches rated Augustana No. 3 out of 15 teams in their preseason poll, while USF is slotted at No. 4. Is either team under "upset alert" in their openers? Plus, there are three Top 5 matchups involving Sioux Falls metro area teams to preview: * Class 11AAA — No. 3 SF Jefferson at #4 Harrisburg * Class 11AAA — No. 5 O'Gorman at No. 1 SF Lincoln * Class 11A — No. 1 SF Christian at No. 2 Lennox

The rookie head coach at USD is riding with a freshman quarterback. That's a bold move, but on Monday, Matt Vitzthum detailed why Austin Modrzewski beat out a pair of senior FBS transfers (both from Northern Illinois): Jackson Proctor and Nevan Cremascoli. On Tuesday, the Happy Hour host took Vitzthum—who was the Coyotes' quarterbacks coach for two seasons before taking over the program after Travis Johansen left for the Rutgers defensive coordinator job in February—for a much deeper dive to explain why the freshman became The Man. The job wasn't won by physical tools alone, including his 6'5" height and a rocket arm, for the two-time Colorado Gatorade Player of the Year. The freshman will not be the signal caller starting Saturday against Central Connecticut State because the head coach wants to start developing Modrzewski now so he'll flourish and be even more polished for years to come... although that is a potential byproduct. This is the portal era, babe. Nothing in the future is assumed or guaranteed. So how did the kid out-perform more experienced players, one (Proctor) who played in 27 FCS games, went 8-2, and completed a school-record 68 percent of his passes at Dartmouth two years ago? What is the kid's personality like? When was the moment this month Vitzthum realized Modrzewski was ready? Oh, there's plenty more to the Yotes than the QB1. Like... QB2. Where does that stand at the moment for Vitzthum? Why is Vitzthum so confident in an offensive line returning just one starter from last year's USD squad? And what challenges does CCSU present? Before the "Vitz" chat, the Happy Host harps on the significance of the QB1 decision. After "Vitz," a conversation with one of the most respected analysts and writers covering FCS football. Sam Herder built a large and loyal following over the last eight years at HERO Sports. Then, that operation's parent company, BetMGM, laid off Herder on Monday. The NDSU alumnus immediately pivoted to being his own boss. Herder explains why he is so passionate about the FCS level and why he wants to keep covering it for a living. Plus, Herder covers: * The impact of NDSU's exit on the FCS brand * Who, if anyone, besides the Montana schools and South Dakota State, will carry the FCS torch? * Should we realistically expect those above schools (plus USD and UND) to move "up" to the FBS within the next five years? * Is Chase Mason as NFL-ready a quarterback Herder has seen in the FCS after almost 15 yerars of covering that subdivision? * What is his reaction to the Yotes choosing Modrzewski at QB1? * How much of a hit will UND take with the loss of its best defensive player Lance Rucker?

A conversation with one of the most respected analysts and writers covering FCS football. Sam Herder built a large and loyal following over the last eight years at HERO Sports. Then, that operation's parent company, BetMGM, laid off Herder on Monday. The NDSU alumnus immediately pivoted to being his own boss. Herder explains why he is so passionate about the FCS level and why he wants to keep covering it for a living. Plus, Herder covers: * The impact of NDSU's exit on the FCS brand * Who, if anyone, besides the Montana schools and South Dakota State, will carry the FCS torch? * Should we realistically expect those above schools (plus USD and UND) to move "up" to the FBS within the next five years? * Is Chase Mason as NFL-ready a quarterback Herder has seen in the FCS after almost 15 yerars of covering that subdivision? * What is his reaction to the Yotes choosing Modrzewski at QB1? * How much of a hit will UND take with the loss of its best defensive player Lance Rucker?

We all know why Chase Mason is one of the most highly anticipated FCS players in the country to watch in 2026. Physical specimen. Looks like a jacked superhero. Rocket arm. Runs like a deer. Just a stick of dynamite waiting to explode. And this is it— His last chance to not just be the golden boy, but have a golden year. To win the Walter Payton Award. To bring the FCS National Championship Trophy back to Brookings. To get as high on that NFL Draft board as he possibly can. There is zero reason to believe he won't be in the running for both achievements. That the Jacks offense won't be more explosive than their 9-5 campaign last year, when they were 8-1 and averaged 37 points with Mason at quarterback and 1-4 while averaging fewer than 20 points without him. First, look at him and watch his career highlights. Then, there's the stats. Perhaps you've memorized them, but in case you haven't: 6'4, 240 lb. At a recent practice, he reportedly ran at 22 miles per hour, which equates to roughly a 4.4 in the 40. The game stats: Last year, in nine games, he threw 15 touchdown passes and ran for six more while averaging 223 passing yards per game and nine yards per attempt. That's two yards more per attempt than the NFL average, meaning he completes passes downfield at a high level. Mason completed 65 percent of his passes, one percent higher than the NFL average. These stats weren't racked up against nothing but tomato cans. He was efficient and brilliant and clutch at Montana State, the eventual national champion. He won a shootout with the Walter Payton winner Beau Brungard at Youngstown. There was the nuking of New Hampshire in the playoffs. He had not played in six weeks after a foot injury that left him in a walking boot, and he was nearly perfect— 16 of 20 for 230, 3 TDs, 0 picks, just firing lasers in the snow. He threw for over 370 yards at Montana, the final No. 3 team, in the playoffs. Yet, to the Happy Hour host, none of those numbers as important as the one stat of Mason's that was glaringly low, yet needs to be lower for him to take home both individual and team national hardware in his last hurrah. The Happy Hour host reveals that one stat while second year SDSU coach Dan Jackson describes Mason's development during fall camp ahead of Saturday's game. Jackson also details: * Why some of SDSU's best veteran players sat out multiple August practices and what their status is for Saturday * Who is emerging to be the starting running back and backup quarterback * What is in place to prevent a collapse in what Jackson has stated to be a strong culture and chemistry in the program among players and coaches * What message legend John Stiegelmeier sent while speaking to the team recently * What about Stetson, the lowest-rated team in the FCS last year and a 47-point underdog Saturday, concerns the coaching staff After Jackson, Sioux Falls Jefferson coach Eric Struck—also in his second year at the helm— previews his Cavaliers, who finished as the No. 3 ranked team in South Dakota's largest high school class last year and is the preseason No.3 in the first media poll. Why does Struck prefer playing with two quarterbacks instead of one, and why will he handle the two-pronged attack differently this season? How much of a force will Lincoln transfer Devonte Wilson be at running back as the Cavs replace the JHS all-time leading rusher, Daeveon Simsonsen, and what can we expect of the usually blitz-happy defense of Ed Whiting?

We all know why Chase Mason is one of the most highly anticipated FCS players in the country to watch in 2026. Physical specimen. Looks like a jacked superhero. Rocket arm. Runs like a deer. Just a stick of dynamite waiting to explode. And this is it— His last chance to not just be the golden boy, but have a golden year. To win the Walter Payton Award. To bring the FCS National Championship Trophy back to Brookings. To get as high on that NFL Draft board as he possibly can. There is zero reason to believe he won't be in the running for both achievements. That the Jacks offense won't be more explosive than their 9-5 campaign last year, when they were 8-1 and averaged 37 points with Mason at quarterback and 1-4 while averaging fewer than 20 points without him. First, look at him and watch his career highlights. Then, there's the stats. Perhaps you've memorized them, but in case you haven't: 6'4, 240 lb. At a recent practice, he reportedly ran at 22 miles per hour, which equates to roughly a 4.4 in the 40. The game stats: Last year, in nine games, he threw 15 touchdown passes and ran for six more while averaging 223 passing yards per game and nine yards per attempt. That's two yards more per attempt than the NFL average, meaning he completes passes downfield at a high level. Mason completed 65 percent of his passes, one percent higher than the NFL average. These stats weren't racked up against nothing but tomato cans. He was efficient and brilliant and clutch at Montana State, the eventual national champion. He won a shootout with the Walter Payton winner Beau Brungard at Youngstown. There was the nuking of New Hampshire in the playoffs. He had not played in six weeks after a foot injury that left him in a walking boot, and he was nearly perfect— 16 of 20 for 230, 3 TDs, 0 picks, just firing lasers in the snow. He threw for over 370 yards at Montana, the final No. 3 team, in the playoffs. Yet, to the Happy Hour host, none of those numbers as important as the one stat of Mason's that was glaringly low, yet needs to be lower for him to take home both individual and team national hardware in his last hurrah.

Every Friday, "South Dakota Sports Lounge" displays some of the most captivating and entertaining conversations from daily sports talk shows in Sioux Falls, Rapid City, and Fargo. Plus, Midwest Sports+ reporter Zach Borg provides a compelling feature story to send Dakotas sports fans into the weekend with a smile. Here are this week's segments: Happy Hour with John Gaskins (Sioux Falls): The host and Sioux Falls Live sports editor break down the differing quarterback situations at SDSU and USD. While the Jackrabbits know exactly the potent talent they have in Chase Mason, the Coyotes are still holding auditions for the signal caller who will try to fill the gargantuan shoes of three-year starter and USD FCS records holder Aidan Bouman. Hot Mic with Dom Izzo (Fargo): 1-on-1 interview with NDSU head football coach Tim Polasek during his final media availability for Bison fall camp. He updates Izoo on injuries and the final scrimmage ahead of their first week of preparation for the first FBS season. The Nate Brown Show (Rapid City): Doug Gottlieb, Wisconsin-Green Bay men's head basketball coach and former nationally syndicated media personality, talks with Nate the day it was announced his team will play SDSU in Sioux Falls at the Pentagon on December 21st. They also discuss Gottlieb's first two seasons at the helm and what the strides he expects the Phoenix to make in his third campaign. Zach Borg Feature (MS+): From SDSU Media Day, Jackrabbit football players utter 'Dan Jackson-isms,' phrases often used by their second-year head coach.

The Happy Hour host and Sioux Falls Live sports editor Matt Zimmer — who has covered both programs for over 20 years — do their own deep dive into the Vikings and "Coo," including an overview of both squads' demanding schedules. Plus, a cursory overview of the NSIC, Northern State, and Dakota State. The latter two squads have high expectiations for this season, as well.