South Dakota State quarterback Zach Lujan threw for a career-high 395 yards and All-America wide receiver Jake Wieneke was on the receiving end of two touchdowns to lead the nationally ranked Jackrabbits to a 34-10 victory over Robert Morris (Pa.) Saturday in the 49th Annual Beef Bowl.
The Jackrabbits, ranked sixth in the STATS media poll and seventh by the Football Championship Subdivision, improved to 3-0 overall. Robert Morris dropped to 1-3.
SDSU never trailed, taking an early 7-0 lead on a 10-yard touchdown pass from Lujan to Wieneke that capped an eight-play, 70-yard drive.
The Colonials took advantage of two SDSU miscues to get on the board early in the second quarter. Kimani Smith intercepted a Lujan pass at the RMU 20 and the Colonials’ ensuing drive was extended by a roughing the punter penalty to set up a 46-yard field goal by Connor Shennan.
The Jackrabbits countered with a 10-play, 75-yard drive that ended on a 3-yard touchdown run by redshirt freshman running back Isaac Wallace. Lujan hooked up with Connor Landberg on three straight plays for a total of 50 yards to set up Wallace’s third rushing touchdown of the season.
RMU put together its lone touchdown drive of the night the next time it had the ball, marching 83 yards on seven plays. Freshman quarterback Mathew Barr broke off a 54-yard run before hitting Nic Lamica for a 6-yard touchdown to pull the Colonials to within 14-10.
SDSU settled for field goals on its final two possessions of the first half, with Jay Carlson connecting from 21 and 25 yards to make the score 20-10 at halftime.
The Jackrabbits gained some breathing room late in the third quarter, taking advantage of a short punt to up the lead to 27-10 on a a 13-yard touchdown pass from Lujan to Brandon Andrews.
Robert Morris, which played without Barr in the second half, was stifled by the Jackrabbit defense over the final 30 minutes. The Colonials did not pick up a first down in their first five possessions of the second half, turning the ball over once and going three-and-out four times.
Wieneke, who vaulted into the Jackrabbit career top 10 in receiving yards three games into his sophomore season, capped the scoring by weaving his way through the Robert Morris defense for a 29-yard touchdown on SDSU’s first drive of the fourth quarter.
Wieneke finished the game with seven receptions for 163 yards, with Landberg recording career highs of five catches for 75 yards. Lujan’s 395 yards – tied for the second most in a game by a Jackrabbit quarterback – came on 25 completions in 43 attempts.
Brady Mengarelli led the SDSU ground game with 79 yards on 17 carries.
SDSU held a 520-271 advantage in total offense and 26-11 edge in first downs. RMU rushed for 228 yards despite playing without starting running back Rameses Owens. Dante Satcher led the Colonials with 85 yards on six carries.
Jesse Bobbit led all players with 11 tackles for the Jackrabbits. Smith paced Robert Morris with eight stops.
The Jackrabbits return to action Oct. 3, opening Missouri Valley Football Conference action against North Dakota State. Kickoff between two top-10 teams is set for 6 p.m. at Coughlin-Alumni Stadium.
