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. Here are this week's segments: Happy Hour with John Gaskins: USD Athletic Director Jon Schemmel candidly offers insight into the football program's budget, finances, ticket sales, fan base development, and its exploration of a possible move up to the FBS should the opportunity present itself. Hot Mic with Dom Izzo: Veteran FCS reporter and columnist Sam Herder discusses the FCS landscape after Big Sky and MVFC wins over FBS teams in the first couple weeks of the season Nate Brown Show: St. Paul Pioneer Press Vikings beat reporter Dane Mizutani breaks down the season-opening win over the Packers, the upcoming divisional matchup with the Bears, and whether Packers fans should be upset with LaFleur. Gridiron Report (SD High School Football): Marcus Traxler and Landon Dierks break down the week's hottest topics.

A pickled egg may not look like something that will be love at first bite or go down smoothly. After all, it is a hard-boiled egg, peeled and soaked in a savory (some would say even sour) vinegar-based brine. Those who love their pickled eggs prefer some tabasco seasoning to give them an even sharper kick. Sioux Falls Live sportswriter Trent Singer is one of those people. That's one reason he calls Orion Pub in downtown Sioux Falls "the best bar in the world," because it serves pickled eggs along with old school beers like Hamm's, Pabst Blue Ribbon, Miller High Life and Coors (Banquet, not Light, although the Light is also on tap). What on Earth does this have to do with both South Dakota Division I football teams' much-anticipated primetime showdowns on Saturday night? Well, for one, Singer joined the Happy Hour host on Thursday at Orion Pub, as always, to preview their weekly "Thirsty Thursday Football Forecast" show. And Singer really, really, really wanted to enjoy an Orion pickled egg while breaking down No. 2 South Dakota State's FCS Top 10 tilt with No. 9 Youngstown State and No. 10 South Dakota's trip to the "Smurf Turf" at Boise State, which would rank No. 28 in the FBS if the AP poll extended past No. 25. But, for two, both the Jackrabbits and Coyotes games might be just like eating pickled eggs. For SDSU, defending a salty dual threat Walter Payton Award quarterback like YSU's Beau Brungard may appear to be hard and bitter, but if the Jacks can do it well enough — and if Chase Mason and the offense can scorch YSU's defense like they did Stetson and New Haven, and like Kentucky scorched the Penguins — then things will feel awfully tangy and delicious in a sold-out Dana J. Dykhouse Stadium. Same thing goes for USD in stopping speedy battering ram Dylan Riley — the Pac-12 offensive player of the week and Doak Walker national running back of the week after 203 yards against Memphis — and Austin Modrzewski's task of still pumping out explosive plays and sustained drives against a BSU defense that is giving up over 500 yards per game. The host and Singer pick apart multiple matchups from several angles. What "tells" from early games factor into the predictions for Game 4? After Singer demonstrates how to properly enjoy a pickled egg and the host vents about public weight room pet peeves, you will not be short-changed on pregame analysis. Plus, a glimpse into what could be the regular season Game of the Year in South Dakota Class 11AAA high school football: No. 2 Sioux Falls Jefferson at No. 1 Brandon Valley. There is also a slate of quick hits: UND at Nebraska, New Mexico at Oklahoma, Augie-Moorhead, USF-Mary, and the Vikings visiting the Bears. So grab a hard-boiled egg, dip it in a savory vinegar-based brine, break that puppy in half, dab a little hot sauce on it, throw it down the hatch and wash it down with a refreshing cold blue-collar brew. That's what we call living the High Life!

Rest assured, we will know a little bit more about the 2026 Jackrabbits and Coyotes by early Sunday morning. Both Top 10 FCS squads face excellent opponents on Saturday, when No. 9 Youngstown State visits No. 2 South Dakota State, while No. 10 USD plays at FBS G6 giant Boise State. In his weekly "Nobody's Listening Anyway" podcast on Happy Hour, Sioux Falls Live sports editor Matt Zimmer shines the spotlight on YSU quarterback Beau Brungard, who has pumped out a zillion highlights in a spectacular career but could sure use a signature win. A victory in Brookings would do the trick. Zim also regales with the story behind his SDSU "headset and huddle" column after the Jacks' win over New Haven on Saturday. Meanwhile, Boise State's head coach insisted this week his team is not taking its FCS opponent lightly. Zim wonders if Spencer Danielson really means it, or really knows what he is in store for. Similar rhetoric has come out of Nebraska for No. 6 North Dakota. Why does Zim think the Huskers will be more ready the Hawks than the Broncos will be for the Coyotes? Plus, a drive-by check-in on former Jackrabbit coaches Jimmy Rogers (Iowa State) and Jason Eck (New Mexico). To land the plane, a little baseball. Sure, Jabari Henry has the hearts of Canaries fans, but his veteran partner-in-crime was the Hartbeat of the Birds in their playoff series against Kansas City while Henry could only watch with an Achilles injury that knocked him out for the season... and likely his career. How should both be remembered if they retire? Plus, what does Zim make of the Canaries' follow-up act to their darn-near title from last fall, an act that ended with an admirable charge that fell short in the do-or-die Game 3 with the Monarchs?

This is an exciting week to be a University of South Dakota football player, coach, administrator, booster, or fan. The Coyotes, ranked No. 10 nationally in the FCS, are off to a hot 3-0 start with a dazzling freshman quarterback and take their show on Saturday to Boise State, home of the best modern "Group of Six" program and current best non-power conference FBS team in the country. USD's 9 p.m. game on Saturday against the new Pac-12 squad—formerly a Mountain West giant—will be televised nationally on CBS Sports Network. The Coyotes are 24.5-point underdogs, as of Wednesday morning. This is a rare opportunity to showcase to the FBS world what the Yotes have built over the last several years: One of the top 10 programs in the FCS. It is also a chance to naturally ponder an FBS future for USD, similar to how many in the Rushmore State contemplate that future for SDSU. After all, the 10-time FCS champion North Dakota State is already 3-0 in its FBS maiden voyage, with an impressive win at traditionally tough-to-beat Mountain West mainstay Air Force last weekend. Programs weaker than USD and SDSU have joined the FBS and proven competitive. But while the Jackrabbits have been the state's bigger football brand—two national titles and increasing sellouts at the 19,000-seat Dana J. Dykhouse Stadium—the Coyotes have remained mostly in the shadows of FBS talk as they still chase their first FCS Championship game appearance and fall short of selling out the 9,100-seat DakotaDome for games other than SDSU and NDSU. A common question when the letters FBS are brought up in the same breath as USD— How could they possibly afford it? NDSU paid over $17.5 million just to join the FBS and Mountain West. Sacramento State paid over $20 million to nonsensically join the Mid-American Conference, which is two and three time zones away. And, yes, USD and SDSU (and Montana and Montana State, two other FCS powers) would need a conference invitation to make their jump. Would USD even be in the conversation? USD athletic director Jon Schemmel is well aware of all of these questions and answered them in a 47-minute one-on-one chat with the Happy Hour host on Tuesday. You'll hear about many things you'd want to know regarding USD's football finances and plans—its Top 10 FCS budget, the breakdown of its funding from student fees versus boosters versus ticket sales, further DakotaDome renovations, and increased attendance Schemmel eagerly points out the $47.5 million raised since he arrived as athletics director in December 2023, noting that much of that has gone toward football. But to what extent has USD explored the feasibility of joining the FBS, which would likely mean roughly doubling its football budget? Where would that money come from? And what is USD's strategy to continue drawing more fans into the DakotaDome until it is almost regularly full? If there is one thing Schemmel has established in his short tenure besides aggressive fundraising, it is a willingness to take a deep peek behind the curtain. Before all this, the Happy Hour host checks in on polarizing former SDSU national championship coach Jimmy Rogers at Iowa State. The Cyclones almost earned Rogers a major early road victory against in-state rival Iowa on Saturday. Why is Rogers proving what the Happy Hour host proclaimed upon his hiring last December—that he was the perfect hire for that job?

The Happy Hour host checks in on polarizing former SDSU national championship coach Jimmy Rogers at Iowa State. The Cyclones almost earned Rogers a major early road victory against in-state rival Iowa on Saturday. Why is Rogers proving what the Happy Hour host proclaimed upon his hiring last December—that he was the perfect hire for that job?

This is an exciting week to be a University of South Dakota football player, coach, administrator, booster, or fan. The Coyotes, ranked No. 10 nationally in the FCS, are off to a hot 3-0 start with a dazzling freshman quarterback and take their show on Saturday to Boise State, home of the best modern "Group of Six" program and current best non-power conference FBS team in the country. USD's 9 p.m. game on Saturday against the new Pac-12 squad—formerly a Mountain West giant—will be televised nationally on CBS Sports Network. The Coyotes are 24.5-point underdogs, as of Wednesday morning. This is a rare opportunity to showcase to the FBS world what the Yotes have built over the last several years: One of the top 10 programs in the FCS. It is also a chance to naturally ponder an FBS future for USD, similar to how many in the Rushmore State contemplate that future for SDSU. After all, the 10-time FCS champion North Dakota State is already 3-0 in its FBS maiden voyage, with an impressive win at traditionally tough-to-beat Mountain West mainstay Air Force last weekend. Programs weaker than USD and SDSU have joined the FBS and proven competitive. But while the Jackrabbits have been the state's bigger football brand—two national titles and increasing sellouts at the 19,000-seat Dana J. Dykhouse Stadium—the Coyotes have remained mostly in the shadows of FBS talk as they still chase their first FCS Championship game appearance and fall short of selling out the 9,100-seat DakotaDome for games other than SDSU and NDSU. A common question when the letters FBS are brought up in the same breath as USD— How could they possibly afford it? NDSU paid over $17.5 million just to join the FBS and Mountain West. Sacramento State paid over $20 million to nonsensically join the Mid-American Conference, which is two and three time zones away. And, yes, USD and SDSU (and Montana and Montana State, two other FCS powers) would need a conference invitation to make their jump. Would USD even be in the conversation? USD athletic director Jon Schemmel is well aware of all of these questions and answered them in a 47-minute one-on-one chat with the Happy Hour host on Tuesday. You'll hear about many things you'd want to know regarding USD's football finances and plans—its Top 10 FCS budget, the breakdown of its funding from student fees versus boosters versus ticket sales, further DakotaDome renovations, and increased attendance Schemmel eagerly points out the $47.5 million raised since he arrived as athletics director in December 2023, noting that much of that has gone toward football. But to what extent has USD explored the feasibility of joining the FBS, which would likely mean roughly doubling its football budget? Where would that money come from? And what is USD's strategy to continue drawing more fans into the DakotaDome until it is almost regularly full? If there is one thing Schemmel has established in his short tenure besides aggressive fundraising, it is a willingness to take a deep peek behind the curtain.

Chase Mason knew what he signed up for when he decided to return to South Dakota State for his final year of college football eligibility instead of accepting $1,000,000-plus offers to be the starting quarterback at a Power Four program. As a reminder, the gunslinger and freak athlete from Viborg-Hurley first told Happy Hour last December he was coming back to SDSU because he loves Brookings, wants to win a national title, and NFL scouts told him he didn't need to go "up" to the FBS to prove he was NFL Draft-worthy. With all that hype, Mason knew he'd be picked apart, game-by-game if not throw-by-throw, in the prism of both his NFL Draftability and his ability to lead the Jackrabbits to Nashville for the FCS Championship. And through three games? Plenty of impressive throws, including deep cannon shots for touchdowns. The stat line — 56 percent completion (not great) 256 passing yards per game 9.1 yards per attempt (that's super good... he gets in downfield effectively) 4 touchdowns to 1 interception 67 yards gained at 25 yards lost on 18 rushing attempts (the "lost" yards are from sacks) 1 rushing touchdown His legs — used as lethal weapons when he came in to "wildcat" for Mark Gronowski on the Jacks' 2023 and '24 teams — have not been utilized much. This is understandable, given the long season, the need to reserve energy and the QB run scheme for tougher opponents when the Jacks will need his legs more, and his foot injury that knocked him out for six of SDSU's final seven games last season. His arm? His arm? Well, no doubt, it's still a cannon. Still firing missiles and rockets and name your favorite kind of spacecraft. But there are misfires. He's missed 44 percent of the time. Yes, some of those are drops. But some of those are throws he should make. Throws that might be costly if he can't make them against some of SDSU's tougher opponents, like No. 10 Youngstown State on Saturday. If only Happy Hour had a regular analyst with a keen quarterback eye who has coached and analyzed quarterbacks for a living for over 20 years, from the youth level at Sanford Sports Academy (with Mason among his former clients) to some of the best Indoor Football League professional QBs of all time. Oh, wait, Happy Hour does have someone like that. His name is Kurtiss Riggs, who is also the color analyst on SDSU's television games for several years and a veteran high school football TV and radio analyst (and now the national analyst for IFL telecasts). His assessment of Mason goes back to his days as a Viborg-Hurley Cougar, when Mason came to the SSA to work with Riggs his senior year, a partnership that led to current Alabama coach Kalen DeBoer offering Mason a scholarship at Fresno State (Mason turned that down to accept a scholarship to play baseball at Nebraska). Riggs has been mostly complimentary of Mason's mechanics and performance and still likes Mason's chances of being drafted based off his measurables (6'4, 250 lb. of muscle, speed, athleticism) and what he has already put on tape. But... those misfires? Riggs breaks them down on this week's Happy Hour, part of Riggs's weekly appearance to analyze plenty of hot football topics that matter to local football fans, such as: * SDSU's offensive performance overall so far * Youngstown State quarterback and reigning Walter Payton Award winner Beau Brungard's skill set and how the Jacks can limit him on Saturday in a Top 10 tilt * USD freshman quarterback Austin Modrzewski's continued "wow" moments and how equipped the Coyotes are to give Boise State a challenge on Saturday * Alabama's scorching second half at Kentucky and freshman quarterback Keelon Russell's early returns * NDSU's impressive Mountain West Conference debut win at Air Force and the Bison's increasing odds to win the league * Some FCS wins over FBS teams, like Montana State-Nevada and Illinois State-Northern Illinois * A scan through NFL Week 1, particularly quarterbacks that left a glowing impression (or not) Before 52 minutes of football feasting from Riggs, the Happy Hour host revels in another thrilling finish and big-name winner at the Sioux Falls PGA Tour Champions stop.

Then, something you should know about the Canaries' other king who may have played his last professional game. Mike Hart delivered clutch moments in all three playoff games against Kansas City to (potentially) go out with a bang... just like "Home Run King" Jabari Henry the week before.

John revels in another thrilling finish and big-name winner at the Sioux Falls PGA Tour Champions stop.

Then, something you should know about the Canaries' other king who may have played the last game of his pro career. Mike Hart delivered clutch moments in all three playoff games against Kansas City to (potentially) go out with a bang... just like "Home Run King" Jabari Henry the week before.

So far, so good for South Dakota's two Division I college football teams in 2026. The Jackrabbits (2-1) and Coyotes both look like FCS national title contenders again, given how they bludgeoned their unranked FCS opponents. SDSU's average score in beating Stetson and New Haven is 64-10. USD has controlled its three games against Central Connecticut State by an average tally of 47-22. Things get tougher this week for both. The No. 2 Jackrabbits welcome No. 10 Youngstown State and its dizzying offense led by Walter Payton Award winner Beau Brungard on Saturday night. The No. 11 Yotes play their FBS money game of the season at Group of Six powerhouse Boise State, now in the new Pac-12 Conference. Are they sharp enough and appear ready? The Happy Hour host breaks down their three-game starts to offer his assessment. Then, both head coaches join to break down their teams. SDSU's Dan Jackson While the Jacks exploded for 33 second quarter points in a 57-14 romp over New Haven, they struggled somewhat to break through in the run game on their first couple drives before airing it out and bombarding the Chargers with deep passes. It seems potentially absurd to ask Jackson how concerned he is about an offense that ran for 256 yards and is averaging over six yards per carry so far, but the host asked. Also, what does Jackson make of quarterback Chase Mason who, while once again completing highlight reel intermediate and deep passes with plenty of mustard, continues to miss receivers on the "easy passes?" How does he assess the Jacks defense through three games, and what must it specifically do to contain Brungard, who is completing 72 percent of his passes for 255 yards per game with 10 touchdowns and one interception while running for 85 yards on 15 carries a game with four rushing scores? And then, there's a topic that touched a nerve with Jackson last week on social media— an article featuring a ranking of the budgets of all the FCS football programs (during the 2025 fiscal year). SDSU is No. 4 in the country and spending over $9 million in a year, ahead of both NDSU and USD. That's good, right? Well... Jackson felt the need to explain what goes on behind the numbers and how they may not properly reflect the programs' budgets. He also explains his philosophies and fundraising efforts for football and weighs in on where those efforts are headed. Is SDSU trending in a direction where it'd be ready to move up to the FBS financially? USD's Matt Vitzthum It was another air show in a 43-21 takedown of Eastern Washington for freshman quarterback Austin Modrzewski. There's a lot to like, but what aspects does Vitzthum think the kid needs to work on to be ready for a Boise State defense that will be by far the fastest and most challenging the Coyotes will face all season? Charles Pierre, Jr. rushed for more yards in Saturday's third game (139) than his combined yardage through the first two games (121). He also had 15 carries, which is five more than the total of the first two games combined. Was there a concerted effort to "feed" the 2024 All-American more? Why did it take a beat to get his footing, or, in his words, feel his juice? Vitzthum does a deep dive into both Boise's defense and offense. What has he seen from the film of the Broncos' near-upset at Oregon in week one and 17-point comeback to beat Memphis last weekend? The bigger picture is how Vitzthum as a first time head coach handles the preparation and psychology for his team's "big money" FBS game. There will likely be over 35,000 fans roaring on Saturday night, far more than the Yotes are used to. In Iowa State's 61,000-seat stadium last year, the Cyclones engulfed USD 55-13. What is different about this year's USD team in its potential ability to handle the hostility, and what will be Vitzthum's message?