A look back at some of the sports happenings during the week of Sept. 28-Oct. 4, 2025:
Last year on Sept. 30, 2024: The Pittsburgh Steelers offensive line has been devastated by injuries this season. That caused the Steelers to bring in linemen for auditions, including former SDSU standout Garret Greenfield. That caused Jackrabbit fans to put their ears up as one of the Steelers OL starters is rookie Mason McCormick (Sioux Falls Roosevelt). McCormick and Greenfield were six-year linemates at SDSU,
helping the Jacks’ win back-to-back national titles. Greenfield signed with Seattle after going undrafted in 2024, and played the preseason with the Seahawks before being released.
10 years ago on Oct. 3, 2015: The largest crowd in South Dakota football history (17,348) gathered
to watch North Dakota State defeat South Dakota State 28-7 at Coughlin-Alumni Stadium in Brookings.
20 years ago on Oct. 2, 2005: Recovering from a season-ending injury in 2004, Rapid City native and Oakland second baseman Mark Ellis had a magical ending to his 2005 season. He might have been in the running for MVP, a Gold Glove and a batting title had he played in enough games. In 122 games, Ellis batted .316 and made only five errors.
30 years ago on Sept. 29, 1995: Plankinton-White Lake defeated Geddes-Dakota Christian 36-6 with the winners getting 28 tackles from Jesse Haines. A year ago on Sept. 16, 1993, Wyatt Haines (Jesse’s brother) had 32 tackles in PWL’s 20-18 win over Crow Creek. PWL won on the last play of the game, a 10-yard pass from Steve Gales to Clayton Moore.
40 years ago on Sept. 28, 1985: The NSU defense forced five fumbles and five interceptions as the Wolves dismantled Winona State 35-14. Ken Byrd and Shaun Wanner led the NSU offense.
50 years ago on Oct. 4, 1975: Augustana athletic director Mel Klein was named the Northern State coach of the year during halftime of the 60th annual Gypsy Days football game. Klein is a 1957 graduate of Aberdeen Central and a 1961 graduate of Northern State.
