Jackrabbits don’t want pat on back for losing

By CHUCK HOUSTEAU

VINDICATOR CORRESPONDENT

YOUNGSTOWN — South Dakota State head coach John Stiegelmeier doesn’t like to get pats on the back for losing efforts.

The veteran coach of the Jackrabbits watched his team take a Gateway Conference opponent to the wire in a losing effort for the second week in a row after dropping a 23-17 decision to Youngstown State University Saturday night.

SDS, which will become a member of the league next year, lost to Western Illinois 29-26 last weekend in a four-overtime contest.

“I think the Gateway is a great league,” Stiegelmeier said. “I think this game tonight says a lot about the fiber of our football team, especially with the way we came back.

“But you can’t rely too much on building on a loss. We gotta win this game and we have to put ourselves in the center of this league and see what happens.”

Verification of talent

Youngstown State University coach Jon Heacock said the hard-fought victory by the Penguins only verified what he knew about the Jackrabbits.

“This game verified what we already knew,” Heacock said. “They are a good football team.

“I already knew that and they verified that they belong [in the Gateway] and they will against every team they play.”

“It was a hot night for both teams and we knew going in after watching film that they were a hard-playing team and I think our kids were too.”

The Jackrabbits rallied from a 14-point deficit to tie the Penguins 17-17 but faltered after a poor punt set up YSU’s winning score.

Gliatta’s interception seals it

Vince Gliatta then sealed the win by intercepting SDS quarterback Ryan Berry in the waning minutes.

Stiegelmeier said that his team has to play better and eliminate those mistakes that led to the late loss.

“I might be ignorant,” Stiegelmeier said. “I might be a dreamer but I’ve never gone into any game or any challenge thinking that if we did our job we can be successful.

“I think we can come into the Gateway and compete,” Stiegelmeier added. “but we need to win these game like tonight to prove it.

“Playing it close just doesn’t cut it.”