1954 South Dakota State Jackrabbits football
NCC co-champion
ConferenceNorth Central Conference
Record7–2 (5–1 NCC)
Head coach
CaptainJerry Welch, Jack Nitz
Home stadiumState Field
Seasons
← 1953
1955 →
1954 North Central Conference football standings
Conf Overall
Team W   L   T W   L   T
South Dakota State + 5 – 1 – 0 7 – 2 – 0
Morningside + 5 – 1 – 0 5 – 3 – 0
South Dakota 3 – 3 – 0 5 – 4 – 0
North Dakota 3 – 3 – 0 4 – 5 – 0
Iowa State Teachers 3 – 3 – 0 3 – 5 – 0
North Dakota State 1 – 4 – 1 1 – 7 – 1
Augustana (SD) 0 – 5 – 1 1 – 7 – 1
  • + – Conference co-champions

The 1954 South Dakota State Jackrabbits football team was an American football team that represented South Dakota State University in the North Central Conference (NCC) during the 1954 college football season. In its eighth season under head coach Ralph Ginn, the team compiled a 7–2 record, tied for the conference championship, and outscored opponents by a total of 338 to 151.[1]

The team's statistical leaders included quarterback Jerry Welch with 625 rushing yards and 478 passing yards.[2] Other key players included center Herb Backlund, tackle Jack Nitz, guard Roger Kerns, and back Roger Denker.

Schedule

DateOpponentSiteResultAttendanceSource
September 18at Iowa State*
L 6–34
September 25at St. Thomas (MN)*
W 19–6[3]
October 1Mankato State*
W 66–0[4]
October 9Augustana (SD)
  • State Field
  • Brookings, SD
W 68–0[5]
October 16at North Dakota State
W 50–134,500[6]
October 23North Dakotadagger
  • State Field
  • Brookings, SD
W 34–2010,000[7]
October 30at South Dakota
W 20–198,000[8]
November 5Morningside
  • State Field
  • Brookings, SD
L 34–39[9]
November 13at Iowa State TeachersCedar Falls, IAW 41–20[10]
  • *Non-conference game
  • daggerHomecoming

[11]

References

  1. ^ "2007 South Dakota State Football Media Guide". South Dakota State University. 2007. p. 77. Retrieved April 24, 2019.
  2. ^ 2007 Media Guide, p. 85.
  3. ^ "Jackrabbits Close With a Rush to Beat Tommies 19-6: Jerry Welch Sparkles in Home Debut". The Daily Argus-Leader. September 26, 1954 – via Newspapers.com.
  4. ^ "Jackrabbits Thrash Mankato Peds, 66-0". The Rapid City Daily Journal. October 2, 1954. p. 8 – via Newspapers.com.
  5. ^ "Jackrabbits Ruin Augustana 68 to 0". The Argus-Leader. October 10, 1954. p. 1B – via Newspapers.com.
  6. ^ "Rabbits Roll 50-13". The Daily Argus-Leader. October 17, 1954 – via Newspapers.com.
  7. ^ "Jackrabbits Hop To Hobo Day Win". The Daily Argus-Leader. October 24, 1954. p. 1D – via Newspapers.com.
  8. ^ "State Wins 20-19". The Daily Argus-Leader. October 31, 1954 – via Newspapers.com.
  9. ^ "Maroons Upset Jacks in 39-34 Thriller". The Sioux City Journal. November 6, 1954. p. 7 – via Newspapers.com.
  10. ^ "Rabbits Bounce Teachers to Earn Title Share". The Daily Argus-Leader. November 14, 1954 – via Newspapers.com.
  11. ^ "Brief Summary Of Cumulative Football Statistics". National Collegiate Athletic Association. Retrieved December 24, 2022.
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