Jackrabbits control line of scrimmage, pile up 597 yards in decisive win
BROOKINGS — South Dakota State leaned on its rushing attack and defensive pressure Saturday night, amassing 597 total yards and handing Eastern Illinois a 42-7 loss at Dana J. Dykhouse Stadium. The ground game was the story: the Jackrabbits totaled 408 rushing yards, led by two backs who each topped 100 yards and scored twice.
Running back Josiah Johnson carried 14 times for 121 yards and two touchdowns, including a long 55-yard run late in the third quarter that helped put the game out of reach. James Basinger contributed 116 yards on nine carries and also scored twice, breaking free for a 48-yard touchdown in the third quarter. Senior Corey Blair Jr. chipped in 80 yards and a 61-yard touchdown, giving the Jackrabbits balance and explosiveness on the ground.
The offense’s efficiency allowed South Dakota State to build and maintain control. Behind the rushing onslaught, the Jackrabbits outgained Eastern Illinois 597 to 196 overall and held the Panthers to limited yardage through all phases.
- South Dakota State record after the game: 4-1
- Eastern Illinois record after the game: 1-4
- Jackrabbits rushing total: 408 yards
Quarterback Josh Holst completed passes when called upon, finishing with 176 passing yards and a touchdown. Holst also connected on a 16-yard scoring pass to Ben Brooks in the fourth quarter to cap the scoring. SDSU’s offense struck early and often, taking a 14-7 lead into halftime and then delivering two explosive third-quarter touchdown runs to seize control.
Eastern Illinois managed a scoring drive in the second quarter when quarterback Cole LaCrue capped a possession with a 9-yard rushing touchdown. Otherwise, the Panthers found little success moving the ball; their total offense stalled under the pressure of the Jackrabbits’ front seven.
Rushing leaders and team breakdown
| Player | Att | Yds | TD | Long |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Josiah Johnson (SDSU) | 14 | 121 | 2 | 55 |
| James Basinger (SDSU) | 9 | 116 | 2 | 48 |
| Corey Blair Jr. (SDSU) | 6 | 80 | 1 | 61 |
| Charles Kellom (EIU) | 11 | 28 | 0 | 7 |
The rushing numbers are notable not only for their volume but for efficiency. The Jackrabbits averaged 9.1 yards per carry as a team, a mark that repeatedly turned short fields into scoring opportunities. Long runs from Basinger, Blair and Johnson forced Eastern Illinois to defend the entire field and opened up room for the passing game when needed.
Defensively, South Dakota State limited Eastern Illinois to 196 total yards and forced turnovers that stifled any comeback attempt. The defensive unit’s work behind the line of scrimmage repeatedly disrupted Eastern Illinois’ rhythm, and special teams provided no meaningful opportunities for the Panthers to flip field position.
What this means for the Jackrabbits
The win keeps the Jackrabbits unbeaten in conference play and positions SDSU at 4-1 overall as they head into a road matchup at Illinois State. The performance showcased depth in the backfield and a physical identity that can be difficult for opponents to counter if the rushing attack remains this productive.
For Eastern Illinois, the loss drops the Panthers to 1-4. They face a stretch of nonconference and conference opponents in coming weeks that will test their ability to run the ball and protect the quarterback against stronger defensive fronts.
South Dakota State’s next game is scheduled at Illinois State next Saturday, where the Jackrabbits will look to sustain their ground success. The balanced rushing output gives the coaching staff multiple options for play-calling and creates matchup problems for teams that load the box to stop one featured back.
Saturday’s game reaffirmed South Dakota State’s identity as a physical, run-first team capable of explosive plays when backs find running lanes. If the Jackrabbits can maintain ball security and continue producing big plays on the ground, they will enter the tougher portion of their schedule with momentum and confidence.
