By Andrew Holtan
The Brookings Beacon
BROOKINGS – South Dakota State head coach Dan Jackson announced on Monday night that starting quarterback Chase Mason avoided a serious injury in Saturday’s win over Youngstown State.
Jackson said on his radio show that he expects Mason to be week to week and he confirmed the status of him in his press conference on Tuesday. He didn’t give an exact date of when Jackson could return but said he will be out this weekend against Eastern Illinois.
“He got rolled up in a pile, his leg got hit and he’s got a sprain that’s going to keep him out a couple of weeks and then he’ll be back. That’s where he’s at. … He’s in really good spirits. … He will not be playing in the game this week and then we’ll get him back when we can,” Jackson said.
Mason was injured with 14 seconds left in the first half against the Penguins and did not play the rest of the game. He came out of the locker room after halftime with a brace on his right knee.
So far this year, Mason has thrown for 834 yards and four touchdowns and only has one interception. On Saturday, he was 9-of-13 with 137 yards and had 45 yards and a touchdown on the ground.
Junior transfer Josh Holst will be Mason’s replacement. He played in 14 games over two seasons at Northern Illinois before coming to SDSU. At NIU he threw for 1,282 yards and six touchdowns and also had 385 yards rushing. One of his three starts for the Huskies came in the 2024 Famous Idaho Potato Bowl and he was named the bowl’s MVP after going 18-of-30 for 182 yards and two touchdowns. In that bowl game, SDSU offensive coordinator Eric Eidsness was the play caller.
Mason missed four games last season with a foot injury. Jackson said SDSU is in a different position than they were last year when Mason went down.
Last season, the Jacks had to start both Luke Marble and Jack Henry, who had never started a college football game before. Jackson said he’s confident because of the experience that Holst brings.
“It helps that he’s played in a number of Division I football games. He’s won football games and has been the MVP of a bowl game. He’s operated this offense for several years. He’s not learning the offense for the first time and he’s not learning how to play [college] football for the first time. He’s here for a reason and he’s a good player,” Jackson said.
On Saturday, Holst finished the game 3-of-8 for 16 yards. He threw a 78-yard touchdown to Brandon Dulaney in SDSU’s season-opening win over Stetson.
Jackson said the game plan won’t change at all with Holst under center and he thinks his experience also shows up from a leadership standpoint.
“Josh can run it, throw it and execute every play in the offense. I’m excited to see him play and how he’ll have a good week of practice. … He understood his role when he was backing up Chase, which was to be prepared, and he [has been] every week, and he’s been competitive. I have seen the team’s belief in him grow, even in the role of being our backup. Now he understands that he needs to step up for us and play, and then when Chase is back, he’ll resume that role,” Jackson said.
Holst’s first start for the Yellow and Blue is scheduled for 6 p.m. on Saturday. You can watch the game on ESPN+ or Midco Sports or listen to the game on AM 910 KJJQ.
