Iowa Football week 1 opponent offense outlook: South Dakota State Jackrabbits

The Hawkeyes host South Dakota State in week one. Here is an offensive outlook for what the Jackrabbits will try to do and who to watch.

Welcome to week one! The 2022 college football season is finally upon us and it kicks off for the Iowa Hawkeyes as they host the South Dakota State Jackrabbits.

There is no shortage of hype surrounding the Jackrabbits as we enter the season. They advanced to the semifinals last year in the FCS playoffs. They get their quarterback, Mark Gronowski, back from injury. They return their top target at wide receiver and they have a proven running back. Let’s get into our outlook of the Jackrabbits’ offense.

The Jackrabbits averaged 36 points per game last season to go along with 212 yards rushing per game and 229 yards passing per game. They are balanced and they do what they do very well. Managing the game is an area they also did well in. They averaged over 31 minutes in time of possession, which would have been good enough to be in the top-30 in FBS in that statistical category.

Mark Gronowski, QB

Mark Gronowski retakes his spot at the helm of the offense after missing last season due to injury. During his 10-game campaign in the 2020 season, he was a dangerous dual-threat quarterback with 1,565 yards and 15 touchdowns through the air to go with 577 yards on the ground and seven touchdowns. Gronowski can hurt a defense both ways.

Jaxon Janke, WR

The top receiver for the Jackrabbits, Jaxon Janke, is also returning. The senior exploded last year posting a stat-line of 72 catches for 1,176 yards and five touchdowns. He is expected to be Gronowski’s No. 1 target this fall. With 16.3 yards per catch, Janke can hurt a team down the field with his size at 6-foot-3, 210 pounds. He will have size on nearly all of the Hawkeyes’ cornerbacks and be a great week one test.

Tucker Kraft, TE

The Hawkeyes are not the only team in this game with a current tight end that will be jumping to the NFL next spring. Tight end, Tucker Kraft, had 65 receptions for 773 yards and six touchdowns. Albeit against FCS competition, all of those numbers topped Sam LaPorta’s career highs. Kraft is 6-foot-5, 255 pounds, and, once he gets the ball in his hands, it takes a handful to bring him down.

Isaiah Davis, RB

In the backfield, the lion’s share of the snaps should go to Isaiah Davis, a junior running back. Davis has not been the lead back yet in his career, but in his two seasons he has still contributed 1,519 yards and 17 touchdowns. At 6-foot-1, 220 pounds, Davis is not afraid to be a bruiser and will give the Hawkeyes’ defense all they can handle meeting him in the hole.

While they reside in the FCS, South Dakota State is no slouch and will be looking to come into Kinnick Stadium and make a statement on Saturday. The Jackrabbits don’t just want to hang around, they truly believe they can upset the Hawkeyes. For Iowa, the defense should be ready to take on these individuals and slow them down to start the season off on the right foot.

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