Happy Hour with John Gaskins

In the thick of the Summit League basketball regular season race, with a "State vs U" women's basketball showdown coming up on Saturday, and with a Super Bowl that includes the quarterback the Minnesota Vikings discarded coming up, there is no shortage of excellent local and regional sports topics for Sioux Falls Live's Matt Zimmer and John Gaskins to talk about.   And don't worry, they do in the latest version of their weekly podcast "Nobody's Listening Anyway" on Happy Hour.   But sometimes when you get together at a sports bar — in this case the Gateway Lounge — to talk about sports, you start by going down a rabbit hole full of nostalgia.   Behold, a couple of Gen X dudes in the mid-forties strolling down memory lane back to the days of cable TV, newspapers, terrestrial radio, and how sports was easier to consume (and perhaps better consumed that way). The chat stems from Zim's column about the perils and evils of the streaming era we live in.   For Zim, it is a chance to vent and wax poetic about our society. For John, a chance to finally weave the 1980's late night cable movie Sorority Babes and the Slimeball Bowl-o-rama into the show.   But again, don't worry, you'll hear the two eventually carry on about:   * Teeth-gnashing or no-teeth-gnashing about the Vikings letting Sam Darnold walk   * North Dakota State's men and women currently kings and queens of the Summit League   * Which Jackrabbit and Coyote teams besides the SDSU women appear primed for a big down-the-stretch surge before the tourney in Sioux Falls   * The "split doubleheader" concept in Vermillion on Saturday — SDSU-USD women at 1 p.m., then NDSU-USD men at 5 p.m.... huh?

Last week, the million dollar rejection South Dakota State offensive lineman Quinten Christensen gave at least one SEC school — instead, he chose to stay and play for the Jackrabbits in 2026 — was the big topic on Happy Hour.    Imagine what the Wessington Springs cattle rancher was thinking as he watched Pierre native Grey Zabel help block Sam Darnold and the Seattle Seahawks to a Super Bowl on Sunday.   Zabel himself had whopper offers from Power Four schools two years ago before his senior season at North Dakota State. He chose to stay and won a national championship, plus All-America honors. Then, he crushed it against SEC and Big Ten defensive linemen at the Senior Bowl, impressed more scouts at the NFL combine, was drafted 18th in the first round, and started every game for the NFC champion.   So, does Zabel provide an ideal guide for Christensen and other FCS studs to stay at that level instead of taking the big bucks in the big leagues?    South Dakota's premier football analyst Kurtiss Riggs  — 11-time indoor pro football championship coach, four-time national champion player and coach at USF (with Kalen DeBoer), and Sanford Sports Academy football director — answers that question and an hour's worth of more as Happy Hour's Monday afternoon quarterback.   Other topics covered by both Riggs and Happy Hour's host:   * Does Sam Darnold's dynamite NFC Championship Game performance prove the Minnesota Vikings made a mistake by letting him go?   * Should the Broncos have kicked a field goal instead of "go for it" on fourth down early against the Patriots?   * Is Matthew Stafford the NFL's MVP this season + worthy of the Pro Football Hall of Fame?   * Who will win the Super Bowl?   * What should we make of the Pittsburgh Steelers hiring Mike McCarthy as their head coach?   * What should we make of the SDHSAA allowing 11AAA teams to play squads from Omaha as their "ninth game" outside of the eight games versus other 11AAA teams?   If you've made it to this point in the article, congratulations! We can't send you off writing this line in italics — Nebraska's men's basketball team is ranked No. 5 in the nation after starting 20-0.   Read that again. Soak it in. Ask yourself if this really is Planet Earth where you reside. And if it interests you, enjoy the end of the host's monologue, where he provides his own perspective after an eye-opening Huskers win in Minneapolis on Saturday in The Barn.   Let's just say it was a Barn storm that illustrates why these Huskers are legit... and we have the video and audio from halftime and postgame to prove it.                              

Grey Zabel's stay-in-FCS guide, Vikings made right move by ditching Darnold, and Husker Hoops is Top 5

Darnold, Stafford, should Broncos have kicked FG, snow games, Super Bowl early prediction

Grey Zabel, Patriot fatigue(?), Steelers hire McCarthy, AAA prep teams to play Omaha teams 

  Why in the world would he do that?   So many have asked that question about South Dakota State quarterback Chase Mason and All-American offensive lineman Quinten Christensen after learning both players turned down at least one offer of $1 million in NIL money to transfer to a Power Four school.   Mason explained his decision to stay at SDSU in a Happy Hour conversation in December.   Thursday was Christensen's turn. Playing a position in such high demand in the SEC and the Big Ten, the in-state senior-to-be from Wessington Springs (two hours from Brookings) could have taken life-changing money and potentially raised his NIL stock by competing at a higher level.   Christensen explains why his SDSU experience and the connections he has made with the program outweighs finances. One of those connections is with former teammate and current Pittsburgh Steelers lineman Mason McCormick, who took Christensen under his wing when "Q" was a freshman.    Hear about what Christensen learned and continues to learn from McCormick along with what the "605 Hogs" and the 2025 Jackrabbits learned in a topsy-turvy 9-5 season, the first under Dan Jackson. It included the death of running back Nate White before the season started and the foot injury to Mason that started a four-game losing streak after a 7-0 start.   "Q" offers his perspective on Jackson and the influence coach John Stiegelmeier still casts on Christensen and the players three years after "Stig" retired.   The Happy Hour conversation begins with a trip back in time to Christensen's upbringing on the family cattle ranch in Wessington Springs and the influence his parents — both athletes — had on his development in football and wrestling.     Thirsty Thursday  Before the Christensen conversation, the host spends another "Thirsty Thursday" at Orion Pub in downtown Sioux Falls with Sioux Falls Live sportswriter Trent Singer for another potpourri of local sports talk. Topics: * USD's severely undermanned men's basketball team pulled off a third win in four games without the services of eight of its players. This time, the Coyotes won at Omaha despite the unavailability of leading scorer Isaac Bruns, who wore a foot on one of his feet.   * Other Summit League hoops chatter, including the SDSU women starting a new conference winning streak after the Jacks' 67-game surge came to an end last week.   * The SDHSAA approved football games against teams from Omaha to replace games against AA teams on AAA teams' schedules. Also, the SDHSAA denied Douglas a chance to move down a class.   * The No. 2 Roosevelt boys basketball team's incredible 33-point outburst in the third quarter against No. 3 Harrisburg on Tuesday, plus the dynamics of the Roughriders and No. 1 Lincoln both benefiting from two Patriots transferring to RHS.     Timberwolves Talk  University of Sioux Falls coach Chris Johnson and Orion Pub co-owner Jon Oppold vent about the Wolves' meltdown at Utah on Tuesday, part of a three-game losing streak that has dropped Minnesota from the No. 2 slot in the Western Conference to No. 7.   With 38 games left to go in the season, how concerning is this recent slippage and what trade(s) would make sense before the Feb. 4 deadline?   Or, perhaps Anthony Edwards just needs a little more seasoning in a season where he has already provided more depth to his ever-blossoming game? 

John spends another "Thirsty Thursday" at Orion Pub in downtown Sioux Falls with Sioux Falls Live sportswriter Trent Singer for another potpourri of local sports talk. Topics: * USD's severely undermanned men's basketball team pulled off a third win in four games without the services of eight of its players. This time, the Coyotes won at Omaha despite the unavailability of leading scorer Isaac Bruns, who wore a foot on one of his feet.   * Other Summit League hoops chatter, including the SDSU women starting a new conference winning streak after the Jacks' 67-game surge came to an end last week.   * The SDHSAA approved football games against teams from Omaha to replace games against AA teams on AAA teams' schedules. Also, the SDHSAA denied Douglas a chance to move down a class.   * The No. 2 Roosevelt boys basketball team's incredible 33-point outburst in the third quarter against No. 3 Harrisburg on Tuesday, plus the dynamics of the Roughriders and No. 1 Lincoln both benefiting from two Patriots transferring to RHS.  

A trip back in time to the SDSU All-American offensive lineman's upbringing on the family cattle ranch in Wessington Springs and the influence his parents — both athletes — had on his development in football and wrestling. Plus, how Christensen acclimated to the "big city" of Brookings and grew as football player and person, a growth that included befriending teammates who come from different backgrounds and from all over the country.

University of Sioux Falls coach Chris Johnson and Orion Pub co-owner Jon Oppold vent about the Wolves' meltdown at Utah on Tuesday, part of a three-game losing streak that has dropped Minnesota from the No. 2 slot in the Western Conference to No. 7.   With 38 games left to go in the season, how concerning is this recent slippage and what trade(s) would make sense before the Feb. 4 deadline?   Or, perhaps Anthony Edwards just needs a little more seasoning in a season where he has already provided more depth to his ever-blossoming game? 

Why in the world would he do that?   So many have asked that question about South Dakota State quarterback Chase Mason and All-American offensive lineman Quinten Christensen after learning both players turned down at least one offer of $1 million in NIL money to transfer to a Power Four school.   Mason explained his decision to stay at SDSU in a Happy Hour conversation in December.   Thursday was Christensen's turn. Playing a position in such high demand in the SEC and the Big Ten, the in-state senior-to-be from Wessington Springs (two hours from Brookings) could have taken life-changing money and potentially raised his NIL stock by competing at a higher level.   Christensen explains why his SDSU experience and the connections he has made with the program outweighs finances. One of those connections is with former teammate and current Pittsburgh Steelers lineman Mason McCormick, who took Christensen under his wing when "Q" was a freshman.    Hear about what Christensen learned and continues to learn from McCormick along with what the "605 Hogs" and the 2025 Jackrabbits learned in a topsy-turvy 9-5 season, the first under Dan Jackson. It included the death of running back Nate White before the season started and the foot injury to Mason that started a four-game losing streak after a 7-0 start.   "Q" offers his perspective on Jackson and the influence coach John Stiegelmeier still casts on Christensen and the players three years after "Stig" retired.

Why in the world would he do that?   So many have asked that question about South Dakota State quarterback Chase Mason and All-American offensive lineman Quinten Christensen after learning both players turned down at least one offer of $1 million in NIL money to transfer to a Power Four school.   Mason explained his decision to stay at SDSU in a Happy Hour conversation in December.   Thursday was Christensen's turn. Playing a position in such high demand in the SEC and the Big Ten, the in-state senior-to-be from Wessington Springs (two hours from Brookings) could have taken life-changing money and potentially raised his NIL stock by competing at a higher level.   Christensen explains why his SDSU experience and the connections he has made with the program outweighs finances. One of those connections is with former teammate and current Pittsburgh Steelers lineman Mason McCormick, who took Christensen under his wing when "Q" was a freshman.    Hear about what Christensen learned and continues to learn from McCormick along with what the "605 Hogs" and the 2025 Jackrabbits learned in a topsy-turvy 9-5 season, the first under Dan Jackson. It included the death of running back Nate White before the season started and the foot injury to Mason that started a four-game losing streak after a 7-0 start.   "Q" offers his perspective on Jackson and the influence coach John Stiegelmeier still casts on Christensen and the players three years after "Stig" retired.   The Happy Hour conversation begins with a trip back in time to Christensen's upbringing on the family cattle ranch in Wessington Springs and the influence his parents — both athletes — had on his development in football and wrestling.

What a difference a year makes.   Last January, Dan Jackson was just trying to keep his head and the South Dakota State football program above water after his predecessor and one of his best friends Jimmy Rogers jumped ship and took the entire SDSU staff and boatload of Jackrabbits to Washington State.   There was an entire staff to hire — including the ever-underrated strength and conditioning coach — plus a full throttle operation to prevent even more Jacks from leaving for the Palouse or another program, not to mention a heavy lift recruiting blitz to bring in new players.   This January, Jackson isn't exactly tilting back and putting his feet up on the desk all day, but things are a lot more stable. A lot.   In fact, it is abnormally stable if not gravity-defying in the world of FCS football. While other top programs like North Dakota State and South Dakota dealt with the losses of some of their top playmakers for six figures (if not seven) to FBS squads, Jackson lost one starter and retained arguably his two most talented players and program pillars — homegrown quarterback Chase Mason and offensive lineman Quinten Christensen.   Yes, part of not losing as many top players to the FBS might be because those rival schools had more accomplished players worth more irresistible NIL money (like USD's L.J. Phillips and Larenzo Fenner) while Mason and Christensen are lifelong South Dakotans with a lifelong investment in the program.   But denying Jackson, in a short time, has effectively created a culture that makes SDSU more difficult to leave than most FCS schools would be delusional.   So, how did he do it? Jackson digs into that and unveils the process and philosophies that led to the new players he took in from the transfer portal, including a Notre Dame quarterback, an SEC offensive lineman, and a bunch of proven Div. II studs.   Other topics covered in the 75-minute conversation:   * The Class of '26 high school signees most likely to make an immediate impact   * His coaching staff retention and shifts   * How (and how much) he deals with NIL agents   * How SDSU goes about packaging NIL deals to attract or keep its best players   * His continued friendship with Rogers, who has ironically consulted Jackson about taking over a program that lost a heap of players to the transfer portal   Before the Jackson conversation, the host dares to tackle an idea most Minnesota Vikings fans may find absurd until you break it down —   Perhaps the Vikings should take a swing at trading multiple first round draft picks for the Las Vegas Raiders' coveted No. 1 draft pick... and take Heisman Trophy winner Fernando Mendoza fresh off yet another spectacular performance against future NFL prospects in Monday's national championship victory.   If Kurtiss Riggs thinks Mendoza would be an ideal and instant fit for Kevin O'Connell, perhaps the idea doesn't seem so farfetched.  The host navigates the reality of the possibility and why PTSD from the Hershel Walker Trade should not steer the Vikings away from the idea. 

If Kurtiss Riggs thinks Mendoza would be an ideal and instant fit for Kevin O'Connell, perhaps the idea doesn't seem so farfetched.  The host navigates the reality of the possibility and why PTSD from the Hershel Walker Trade should not steer the Vikings away from the idea.     

Dan Jackson on retaining all but one starter, portal additions, how agents work, which HS '26 signees might see field

If the Hoosiers — the most losing program in the history of major college football — can turn from trash to treasure in two years, why not the Huskers, Hawkeyes, or Gophers?   The three FBS programs with the most devout followings in eastern South Dakota and northwest Iowa had all been historically way better than Indiana until Cignetti and his NIL/transfer portal lever-pulling lapped them.   So, who is the closest of these three former "Big Ten West" rivals to becoming the next Indiana? What does it take?   Kurtiss Riggs has his own angle, with some more intimate insight into how Nebraska, Iowa, and Minnesota operate based on his relationship with some of the top talent in the Sioux Falls area who have been recruited to those spots.   * Did South Dakota State offensive lineman Quentin Christensen really have a $1,000,000 offer from an SEC school?    And why is it a good thing he turned it down? Also, why did 10 other Jackrabbits reject FBS offers while eight NDSU starters are bolting? Is that an indictment on the Bison?    Time for more education on how all this modern day wild west portal/NIL stuff works from someone heavily connected to some of the best players in the region and the coaches at every relevant high school and college program in the region.

Topics: Why the Minnesota Vikings should trade a heavy haul to go after Indiana QB and Heisman Trophy winner Fernanado Mendoza, who Riggs' favorite team, the Raiders, are expected to take No. 1     * The Bills firing a successful coach in hopes of breaking the Super Bowl barrier with a generational quarterback   * The Broncos trying to reach a Super Bowl with a backup QB that barely ever plays   * If the Bears are here to stay in the battle for NFC supremacy with Caleb Williams and Ben Johnson   * Where do the Vikings, Lions, and Packers figure to come out in the mix in '26?   * Will the Rams or Seahawks win the NFC?   * Who should be the NFL MVP? 

Yes, Indiana football is the greatest, most amazing story in the history of college football. We can all agree on that, right?   But was it a miracle? Did Curt Cignetti (google him) work magic?   If the Hoosiers — the most losing program in the history of major college football — can turn from trash to treasure in two years, why not the Huskers, Hawkeyes, or Gophers?   The three FBS programs with the most devout followings in eastern South Dakota and northwest Iowa had all been historically way better than Indiana until Cignetti and his NIL/transfer portal lever-pulling lapped them.   So, who is the closest of these three former "Big Ten West" rivals to becoming the next Indiana? What does it take?   That's the big question of the day on Tuesday's "Happy Hour with John Gaskins."   The host dives into those three programs' current state and potential to become Hoosiers, then today's guest Kurtiss Riggs has his own angle, with some more intimate insight into how Nebraska, Iowa, and Minnesota operate based on his relationship with some of the top talent in the Sioux Falls area who have been recruited to those spots.   (Riggs, of course, is the former 11-time champion head coach and general manager of the Sioux Falls Storm, the quarterback who threw record numbers of passes and touchdowns to best friend and current Alabama coach Kalen DeBoer with the 1996 national championship team from the University of Sioux Falls, and QB coach with DeBoer's three national title teams at USF from 2006-09. And Riggs, of course, is the football director of the Sanford Sports Academy and lead prep and college game analyst for Midco Sports, SDPB, and Midwest Sports Plus.)   A full hour of both CFB and NFL Playoffs talk with Riggs includes these other hot topics:   * Why the Minnesota Vikings should trade a heavy haul to go after Indiana QB and Heisman Trophy winner Fernanado Mendoza, who Riggs' favorite team, the Raiders, are expected to take No. 1     * The Bills firing a successful coach in hopes of breaking the Super Bowl barrier with a generational quarterback   * The Broncos trying to reach a Super Bowl with a backup QB that barely ever plays   * If the Bears are here to stay in the battle for NFC supremacy with Caleb Williams and Ben Johnson   * Where do the Vikings, Lions, and Packers figure to come out in the mix in '26?   * Will the Rams or Seahawks win the NFC?   * Who should be the NFL MVP?  (Still reading? Good! We saved the best for last!)   * Did South Dakota State offensive lineman Quentin Christensen really have a $1,000,000 offer from an SEC school?    And why is it a good thing he turned it down? Also, why did 10 other Jackrabbits reject FBS offers while eight NDSU starters are bolting? Is that an indictment on the Bison?    Time for more education on how all this modern day wild west portal/NIL stuff works from someone heavily connected to some of the best players in the region and the coaches at every relevant high school and college program in the region.

Yes, Indiana football is the greatest, most amazing story in the history of college football. We can all agree on that, right?   But was it a miracle? Did Curt Cignetti (google him) work magic?   If the Hoosiers — the most losing program in the history of major college football — can turn from trash to treasure in two years, why not the Huskers, Hawkeyes, or Gophers?   The three FBS programs with the most devout followings in eastern South Dakota and northwest Iowa had all been historically way better than Indiana until Cignetti and his NIL/transfer portal lever-pulling lapped them.   So, who is the closest of these three former "Big Ten West" rivals to becoming the next Indiana? What does it take?   That's the big question of the day on Tuesday's "Happy Hour with John Gaskins."   The host dives into those three programs' current state and potential to become Hoosiers.

Yes, Indiana football is the greatest, most amazing story in the history of college football. We can all agree on that, right?   But was it a miracle? Did Curt Cignetti (google him) work magic?   If the Hoosiers — the most losing program in the history of major college football — can turn from trash to treasure in two years, why not the Huskers, Hawkeyes, or Gophers?   The three FBS programs with the most devout followings in eastern South Dakota and northwest Iowa had all been historically way better than Indiana until Cignetti and his NIL/transfer portal lever-pulling lapped them.   So, who is the closest of these three former "Big Ten West" rivals to becoming the next Indiana? What does it take?   That's the big question of the day on Tuesday's "Happy Hour with John Gaskins."   Kurtiss Riggs has his own angle, with some intimate insight into how Nebraska, Iowa, and Minnesota operate based on his relationship with some of the top talent in the Sioux Falls area who have been recruited to those spots.   (Riggs, of course, is the former 11-time champion head coach and general manager of the Sioux Falls Storm, the quarterback who threw record numbers of passes and touchdowns to best friend and current Alabama coach Kalen DeBoer with the 1996 national championship team from the University of Sioux Falls, and QB coach with DeBoer's three national title teams at USF from 2006-09. And Riggs, of course, is the football director of the Sanford Sports Academy and lead prep and college game analyst for Midco Sports, SDPB, and Midwest Sports Plus.)   A full hour of both CFB and NFL Playoffs talk with Riggs includes these other hot topics:   * Why the Minnesota Vikings should trade a heavy haul to go after Indiana QB and Heisman Trophy winner Fernanado Mendoza, who Riggs' favorite team, the Raiders, are expected to take No. 1     * The Bills firing a successful coach in hopes of breaking the Super Bowl barrier with a generational quarterback   * The Broncos trying to reach a Super Bowl with a backup QB that barely ever plays   * If the Bears are here to stay in the battle for NFC supremacy with Caleb Williams and Ben Johnson   * Where do the Vikings, Lions, and Packers figure to come out in the mix in '26?   * Will the Rams or Seahawks win the NFC?   * Who should be the NFL MVP?  (Still reading? Good! We saved the best for last!)   * Did South Dakota State offensive lineman Quentin Christensen really have a $1,000,000 offer from an SEC school?    And why is it a good thing he turned it down? Also, why did 10 other Jackrabbits reject FBS offers while eight NDSU starters are bolting? Is that an indictment on the Bison?    Time for more education on how all this modern day wild west portal/NIL stuff works from someone heavily connected to some of the best players in the region and the coaches at every relevant high school and college program in the region.

NDSU finally became the first team to beat the Jackrabbit women since USD took down SDSU twice in 2022 — in a Feb. 5 regular season game and again in the Summit League tournament championship game on March 8.    This means the Bison ended a 54-game overall streak for the Jacks against conference opponents.   So why was Saturday the day? How did NDSU pull this off on the Jacks' home court? And what does this mean for SDSU and the rest of the league for the rest of the season, now that (at least for a game) the walls have cracked?   Zim has answers and also explains why he feels the SDSU men will still be a threat in Sioux Falls in March despite a 10-10 record and 3-2 league mark that includes last Wednesday's loss to first place and still undefeated-in-conference NDSU.