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Happy Hour with John Gaskins

Happy Hour with John Gaskins

By: John Gaskins
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 Join John Gaskins for the hottest sports news from Sioux Falls and beyond.©2025 Forum Communications Co. Politics & Government
Episodes
  • FULL WED. SHOW - Mason Mystery, State vs U trophy, Travis Johansen, Kurtiss Riggs, BTN's Rick Pizzo (Gronowski, Wilde, Hawkeyes, Huskers, Gophers)

    FULL WED. SHOW - Mason Mystery, State vs U trophy, Travis Johansen, Kurtiss Riggs, BTN's Rick Pizzo (Gronowski, Wilde, Hawkeyes, Huskers, Gophers)
    Nov 5 2025

    The Chase Mason Magical Mystery Tour, Week 3 — will SDSU's sublimely athletic quarterback play or won't he? — is the biggest storyline heading into Saturday's massive Top 25 in-state showdown against USD in Vermillion.

    Mason's possible return could look something like J.J. McCarthy's masterful performance in Detroit, if you examine the nature of their injuries and what they've been up to since being sidelined. More on that in a moment. Meanwhile, SDSU coach Dan Jackson's unprompted remarks about his desire to see a traveling trophy return to the "State vs U" rivalry is giving the Mason saga a run for its money in social media buzz and, likely, coffee shop and bar stool talk all over South Dakota. Trophy talk definitely took up a chunk of Wednesday's edition of Happy Hour with John Gaskins, which also includes thorough and thought-provoking interviews with:
    • USD coach Travis Johansen on the breakthrough win over No. 8 North Dakota, the Yotes' continued offensive shortcomings, what the Jacks-Yotes rivalry means to him, and preparations for the Jacks, with or without Mason
    • SDSU TV analyst Kurtiss Riggs on Mason's status, the matchups against the Coyotes with and without him, and the state of affairs for both teams. Plus, some words about Nebraska-USC, the Huskers now-out-for-season quarterback Dylan Raiola, the angst Jacks fans have toward Jimmy Rogers and all his former SDSU players, and an awesome story about Alabama fans' mercurial attitude toward his best friend Kalen DeBoer
    • Big Ten Network veteran reporter Rick Pizzo, with a national perspective on the performances-to-date Jackrabbit All-America transfers Mark Gronowski (Iowa) and Griffin Wilde (Northwestern), the Hawkeyes' huge home game against Oregon, plus views on the Matt Rhule era so far at Nebraska and P.J. Fleck's near-decade at Minnesota

    Back to that trophy thing for the SDSU-USD game. Should there be a trophy? Should they bring back the "Little Brown Jug" that was put away after the Jackrabbits left for Div. I level and hasn't come back since USD joined the Jacks in D1? Or should the schools create a new trophy? And if so, what would be a perfect "State vs U" trophy that screams "South Dakota?" Mount Rushmore? A golden pheasant? A tribute to the state's Native American heritage? Or something a bit goofier and more exotic — but fitting — like a bronze chislic, hunter's vest, case of Busch Light, or a dead pheasant (an ode to the D2 days of dead jackrabbits and coyotes thrown onto the basketball floors when the teams faced off)? Gaskins gives his opinion, but we'd love yours. Write to jgaskins@siouxfallslive.com! And back to the Chase Mason and J.J. McCarthy thing. Both are first-year starters, instantly beloved by teammates, who suffered brutal ankle injuries. Both were sidelined for multiple weeks. Both watched their teams struggle, lose, and at times completely fall apart without them. Both took "mental reps" while they couldn't physically practice, and contributed their well-documented leadership during their sideline time. Both are fierce, possessed, athletic, mobile, playmakers. McCarthy made his return on the road in a hostile indoor environment against a rival with a salty defense that was on a roll. Should Mason return, same situation. But, same performance? Enjoy the conversation. Cheers!
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    2 hrs and 34 mins
  • John-o-logue: Can Chason Mason model J.J. McCarthy's return? And how about a new "State vs U" trophy?

    John-o-logue: Can Chason Mason model J.J. McCarthy's return? And how about a new "State vs U" trophy?
    Nov 5 2025

    Happy Hour host John Gaskins with the latest on Chase Mason's injury and status for Saturday's mammoth SDSU-USD game. Kurtiss Riggs weighs in on if Mason will play, the difference he could make, and how effective he can be if he does.

    John likens Mason's situation to J.J. McCarthy's in Minnesota for numerous reasons. Could that translate to the same result the Vikings had in Detroit.

    Then, the Pandora's Box opened by SDSU coach Dan Jackson on bringing back a trophy for the winner of "State vs U." Should there be a trophy at all? Should the schools bring back their own Little Brown Jug from the D2 days, or create a new one?

    Let's have fun and think of new, appropriate and maybe even some outrageous but fitting ideas that scream "South Dakota."
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    31 mins
  • Gronowski, Wilde, Huskers & Gophers with Big Ten Network veteran Rick Pizzo

    Gronowski, Wilde, Huskers & Gophers with Big Ten Network veteran Rick Pizzo
    Nov 5 2025

    A national perspective on former Jackrabbit All-Americans Mark Gronowski and Griffin Wilde — and their Hawkeyes and Wildcats teams — from 17-year BTN anchor/reporter Rick Pizzo. Also:

    • Is Iowa built to win its last three games and reach the CFB Playoffs?
    • Iowa vs Oregon
    • Matt Rhule at Nebraska — how do we assess his program after almost 3 seasons?
    • Same thing for P.J. Fleck at Minnesota after nine years
    • How Curt Cignetti and Indiana skipped over teams like Nebraska, Iowa, Minnesota to the front of the line
    • Should Lane Kiffin stay at Ole Miss or take the LSU or Florida jobs?
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    34 mins
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