Nobody's Listening Anyway

It was not a pretty first game for most of the Div. I football teams and players of interest in South Dakota. But it was a "just win, baby" week for some.No. 3 South Dakota State stopped the "Go Go" offense of No. 15 Sacramento State all night, but the Jackrabbits didn't exactly make chest-thumping offensive waves themselves. How does that translate to a road game at perennial Top 5 powerhouse Montana State, who was pulverized 59-13 at FBS No. 7 Oregon?FCS No. 4 South Dakota threw Iowa State for an early 7-7 loop before the Cyclones blew them away, 55-7. Does that mean doom and gloom for Aidan Bouman and a USD offense that mustered just 34 yards in the second half? Or is ISU perhaps a tornado that will rip through the Big 12 and leave an easy cleanup for the Yotes in FCS play?Both Augustana and the Universtiy of Sioux Falls won nail biters, but in different ways. What are some easy assessments of their returning quarterbacks?And then, there was Jimmy Rogers' Washington State Jackrabbits, who needed a perfectly-executed two-minute drill at home to survive FCS Idaho, with a new coach and offense replacing former SDSU offensive coordinator Jason Eck. What do we make of Jimmy's more-than-blunt postgame remarks?There's also the all-time Jackrabbit Mark Gronowski's less-than-impressive Iowa debut and native son Kalen DeBoer's Alabama debacle at Florida State. How much should we curb our first week spasms? The Minnesota Vikings lift off on Monday night in Chicago. Why does typically pessimistic Matt Zimmer feel like he's boarding a rocket ship?The answers to these questions and more, all over cocktails on an idle Tuesday afternoon at the Gateway Lounge in Sioux Falls as Zim and Happy Hour host John Gaskins wet their football whistles — finally!

Will Saturday be another story of the "farm kids" from South Dakota being underestimated by a bunch of thoroughbred athletes from California?The Dan Jackson Era and Chase Mason era at South Dakota State opens with a likely sold-out home game against Sacramento State, a 3-9 team from last year with over 50 FBS transfers and a brand new coach that is rated No. 15 in the preseason polls.With so many new starters on each side, it is tough to accurately predict how the game may unfold, but Sioux Falls Live sports editor and decade-long SDSU reporter Matt Zimmer takes a stab with Happy Hour host John Gaskins in a 74-minute chat over cocktails at Gateway Lounge.But Zim pulls from over 20 years of covering South Dakota college football teams who lock horns with talented rosters from talent-rich states like California, while also unveiling some new Jackrabbits FBS transfers you should expect to see and maybe shine on Saturday and all season long. What exactly can we expect, especially from SDSU's new starting quarterback, Chase Mason, who has undeniably supreme physical talent but has not played a full game as a starting signal caller in six years, back to his junior year in high school?Meanwhile, No. 4 South Dakota opens 2025 at FBS No. 22 Iowa State, who impressively finished a 24-21 prize fight win over No. 17 Kansas State in Ireland on Saturday. How much of a factor will jet lag from a trip to Ireland factor in USD's favor, not to mention this being a "sandwich" game for the Cyclones between rivals KSU and Iowa (next week)? What kind of upset threat can USD mount, with its own litany of transfer replacements but also with a guiding light in senior quarterback in Aidan Bouman, a former Cyclone with plenty to prove against his former team and NFL scouts?Plus, a glimpse into the "Washington State Jackrabbits," led by former SDSU coach Jimmy Rogers, who brought his staff and 16 players with him to the Palouse. The Cougars, who play Idaho on national television late Saturday, have shut down practices to the media after reported inner-team practice scuffles.Speaking of former Jacks, quarterback Mark Gronowski is Iowa's "Million Dollar Man" (or $2 Million Man, depending on who you believe). What should we expect of the former Walter Payton Award winner in the stacked Big Ten, and in what way will life be more different and difficult for him compared to the FCS?Then, there's No. 8 Alabama, led by former USF coach Kalen DeBoer, who starts his second season on the road at Florida State. Why should there be reason for the Crimson Tide to improve after their first four-loss season in 17 years?Finally, how much more secure should the Minnesota Vikings feel about their QB2 situation now that they dumped Sam Howell and made room for North Dakota State legend Carson Wentz, who joins his sixth NFL team in six years?

While waiting breathlessly for actual football games (that count) to start, South Dakota State fans and media felt an early Christmas present drop in their lap on Monday with the news of the Jackrabbits accepting an invitation to play Montana in the new Vegas Kickoff Classic at Allegian Stadium — home of the Raiders — in 2029. In this week's addition of "Nobody's Listening Anyway" over cocktails at the Gateway Lounge, Happy Hour Host John Gaskins and Sioux Falls Live sports reporter Matt Zimmer dive into the relevance and meaning behind this news.Then, more preseason banter about the the Jacks and South Dakota Coyotes. SDSU quarterback Chase Mason offered another reason to brace for a breakout season with remarks he made on Happy Hour last week, but how much stock do we take in them? Plus, what is the "sneaky" significant aspect of the '25 Jacks that nobody is really talking about, and what is the most-anticipated part of USD football beyond senior QB Aidan Bouman?Meanwhile, what do we make of both the intense local and global spotlight shining brightly on South Dakota's 12-year-olds at the Little league World Series, while our high schoolers playing in recent state legion tourneys and grown men competiting in the state amateur events appear to play second fiddle?Why is Zim "not surprised buy devastated" of the Pohlad family it is not selling the Minnesota Twins after all? Enjoy a deep dive of deep-rooted contempt of 40 years of ownership. Finally, SDSU legend Zach Zenner recently remarked that he had only had five alcoholic beverages in his life, that he had never been drunk, and that alcohol doesn't enhance any situation it is consumed.As Zim and John sipped on Budweiser and Tito's on an idle Tuesday afternoon, enjoy the response. 

Let's go camping and light a fire for the 2025 football season.With all the roster turnover and fresh faces in both the Jackrabbit and Coyote football programs, fans are salavating for a sneak peak into what's to come once the pigskin flies in just three weeks.How are both seasoned veteran Aidan Bouman and shiny new toy Chase Mason acclimating with some of the new teammates that are blocking for them, taking their handoffs, and catching their passes?Who are some of those studs in the trenches, in the backfield, and split wide who are waiting to burst out of their stables and run wild? Sure, whatever we read or hear should be taken with a dump truck of salt, but Sioux Falls Live's Matt Zimmer takes us to both Brookings and Vermillion for a boatload of insight. From his eyes and mouth to your ears, Zim's observations from the Gateway Lounge over a couple of Budweisers will glady serve as the precious kernels you can pop the next time you saddle up at the bar stool with your fellow SDSU or USD fans.Plus, what do we make of reports from Minnesota Vikings camp that new starting quarterback J.J. McCarthy is struggling mightily to hit his targets? And, how does lifelong die-hard Minnesota Twins fan Zim view the trade deadline moves that sent his favorite team into a tailspin likely to relegate it into irrelevance for years to come?

Before we look ahead to a rapidly-approaching 2025 football season, a look back — over beers and with a background of classic country music at the Gateway Lounge, of course — at pop culture titans from our youth who left us this past week.Gen X'ers John Gaskins and Matt Zimmer put the latest local sports buzz on hold for a bit to reminisce about the essence of Rock 'n' Roll Hall of Famer Ozzy Osborne, Baseball Hall of Famer Ryne Sandberg, WWE GOAT Hulk Hogan, and "Cosby Show" heart throb Malcolm Jamal-Warner (Theo Huxtable). They all died this past week, and their legacies are all in the wheelhouse of the two hosts.John and Zim next look back on last week's MVFC Media Days. Zim's biggest takeaway was the response and tone of North Dakota State head coach Tim Polasek regarding one particular touchy topic affecting all FCS teams in 2025. Plus, what do we make of the health of the league, with a currently clear two-tier system — The Big 3 of NDSU, SDSU, and USD... and then everyone else?Then, a look back at the short-lived but memorable tenure of South Dakota State running back Nate White, the Wisconson transfer who made an instant impact on the practice field and instant friends in the locker room before his tragic death in his sleep at the age of 20 last month.White's now-well-documented happy time in Brookings is a testament to the culture fostered within the Jackrabbit program over the last 20 years, a feature also well-established with the Sioux Falls Canaries. While "culture" and "family" are attainable cliches in prep and college sports, they are difficult to come by in minor league baseball. But the Birds clearly have it with manager Mike Meyer in a season that is escalating into a bonfire of big offense and big wins. How and why did the inferno grow?Finally, now that it is obvious the Minnesota Twins aren't championship contenders, what moves should the front office make for an organization that is for sale, but not in the bottom of the barrel? 

What a weekend it was to be at Target Field!Twins ace Joe Ryan got the 2-1 pitcher's duel win over National League All-Star starter and Cy Young candidate Paul Skenes in front of a sellout crowd, followed by a one-hour concert from still-jacked 50-year-old Nelly in front of a still-amped throng.While Happy Hour host John Gaskins attended that, his Nobody's Listening Anyway co-host Matt Zimmer had the fortune the next day of witnessing Byron Buxton hit a 427-foot home run to complete the cycle on Byron Buxton Bobblehead Day.These awesome experiences, plus Buxton's appearances in Monday's Home Run Derby and Tuesday's MLB All-Star game, lead off a midsummer's daydream full of baseball and football conversation from the Gateway Lounge in Sioux Falls.Is Buxton one of the very best players in all of baseball? Can we enjoy this joyride he is on or is it still bittersweet considering so much of his talent has been squandered via injuries?Meanwhile, the Sioux Falls Canaries have six players in their league's All-Star game next week, with two of them up-and-coming local talents from Augustana (Jordan Barth) and USF (Josh Rehwaldt), the latter who Zimmer things should have gotten a call to join an MLB operation by now.While baseball is in midseason form, Alabama coach and USF player/coaching alumnus Kalen DeBoer stopped in Sioux Falls last week for a few speaking engagements before heading to Atlanta for SEC Media Days this week. Zimmer walks through his takeaways, including the connective tissue of DeBoer's 67-3 tear while head coach at USF to year two leading Fresno State, Washington, and now the Crimson Tide.Meanwhile, you can watch and hear Happy Hour's one-on-one with DeBoer from last May here.

What is there to say about South Dakota State running back Nate White's death, just over 24 hours after it was reported on Wednesday?The tragedy — with details yet public — rightfully hovers a cloud over the program, the FCS, and the regional sports scene, trivializing normal day-to-day events and hot sports topics.But "Nobody's Listening Anyway" hosts John Gaskins and Matt Zimmer make what they can about a 21-year-old transfer from Wisconsin who was expected to be the starter and gained a boatload of respect and adulation from his new teammates in Brookings.Before this shocking event, the top current issue regarding Jackrabbit Athletics was the looming decision to "opti in" (or not) to the NCAA-House Setttlement that allows schools to share revenue with athletes and changes the NIL model. As of the recording, athetlic director Justin Sell — who spoke on the topic for 90 minutes on Happy Hour last week — had yet to announce the decision, which comes with a June 30 deadline.John and Matt discuss why USD went all-in over a week ago and why SDSU is still mulling it over, not to mention why this might not be as big a deal at these mid-major schools as it is in Power Four leagues.This leads to reaction USD athletic director Jon Schemmel's remarks on Wednesday's Happy Hour about the lingering attendance struggles — with upticks in the past year, Schemmel said — at football and basketball games, and what would bring more fans, which leads to the latest discussion of attendance at for the Canaries, who have won 15 of their last 20 games, are 13-5 at The Birdcage, and sport the third-best record and the highest-scoring, hottest-hitting lineup in their league. 

Beer-logo'd golf bags. Old school MTV veejays. The Dead Guys of the Week — Brian Wilson and Sly Stone — and their place in music and pop culture history.Matt Zimmer and John Gaskins tried their best to kick around fun and breezy topics to avoid that dreaded summer buzz kill — The NCAA-House Settlement and where schools like SDSU and USD fit into it.But eventually, the hosts of the weekly "Nobody's Listening Anyway" podcast got down to busines at Gateway Lounge. What does this darn thing mean and what really matters to the college football fans of the Dakotas and the FCS?What's also exhausting and confusing is if SDSU, USD, and NDSU will opt in or not, and what the competitive advantages and disadvantages would immediately be no matter what that choice is.Over his ice cold Bud Light on tap, Zimmer — who, like most, is blurry-eyed from the deluge of reports and details about the Settlemen and what schools are doing about it — boils things down to the simplest and most straightforward of terms, including what SDSU football coach Dan Jackson makes of it.Also, what is the bigger picture of the Sioux Falls Storm in the wake of head coach Andre Fields's resignation this week? Is this a sign the team may never come back? Why and how did it lose its hold on both its league and the springtime sports fans of Sioux Falls?Also, some Twins Talk — Bailey Ober's injury, Buxton's boom, Wallner's emergence — and a few words about the University of Sioux Falls' new logo, which leads to the rabbit hole of SDSU and USD logos and sports team logos, in general.On the way out, a word about "Tacos and Tequila," the upcoming hip-hop festival at The Birdcage, and Matt's new pickup truck. And his way to drive a pickup.

The breaking news of one of the biggest sports stories of the entire summer interrupted an entertaining storytelling session about beer and how picky people are about their beer.Aaron Rodgers reportedly plans to sign with the Pittsburgh Steelers. Will he be any good? Will they be any good.We could ask the same thing about Chase Mason as a first-time starting quarterback for South Dakota State, but Sioux Falls Live sportswriter Matt Zimmer's long chat — and long, in-depth Sioux Falls Live story — suggest the former Huskers baseball pitcher is ready to light up the FCS.Plus, how much will the Twins suffer from Pablo Lopez's injury, what do we make of (and how much do we care about) major college football events like Utah Valley leaving the FCS (domino effect leading to MVFC expansion?) and the House Settlement involving revenue sharing?Plus, our Dead Guy of the Week and a Dead Gal of the Week! 

Why should Sioux Falls be captivated and impressed by Canaries slugger Jabari Henry tying and eventually breaking the American Association independent league's career home run record, and what makes his story and career intriguing?How disappointing, if at all, should we consider the Minnesota Timberwolves' postseason run considering it will likely end in a "gentleman's sweep" of 4-1 in the Western Conference Finals? Is Anthony Edwards' starpower taking a step back the way he does on some nights?Now that the Minnesota Twins have cooled off a bit after their 13-game winning streak, what makes them worth a continued emotional investment from casual fans? What should we make of the South Dakota vs. North Dakota State football game being ranked as one of ESPN.com's top 10 college games (including FBS) to watch this season, and is South Dakota State being snubbed? What is Taryn Christion's legacy at SDSU — GOAT? Or perhaps something more meaningful?John Gaskins and Matt Zimmer tackle these topics for Tuesday's "Nobody's Listening Anyway" show for "Happy Hour with John Gaskins" from Gibs Sports Bar on the east side of Sioux Falls. But first — a toast to George Wendt, the "Cheers" actor who played loveable barfly Norm Peterson, died last week at age 76. Turns out, one of the most popular characters on one of the most popular shows in TV history has quite a following. Our Gen X hosts who grew up on Norm and the merry gang in the Boston sports bar devote a worthwhile chunk of time to what both Norm and Cheers meant to them.  

From May 14 (sorry for the delay):Is Diet Coke the "worst-tasting thing in the world?" Is it acceptable to wear pajamas in public, let alone sweatpants? Is our "Dead Guy of the Week" — a B-list Twins legend — someone that passes Matt Zimmer's fame test?As they do every week at Gateway Lounge, John Gaskins and Zim solve all the world's problems and mysteries in this Mid-May version of "Nobody's Listening Anyway."There's even plenty of local and regional sports to discuss:Does SDSU or USD have more potent quarterback/offensive line combo?In what way are SDSU and USD trying to become the Iowa of the FCS?What sneaky-big addition did USD hoops just make?Are the Twins worth watching again now that they're on fire?How impressive should the Canaries be this year?Is it better to buy cheap nosebleeds or second-mortgage prime seats at major league pro sporting events?Should Chris Finch take just a little heat for the way the Wolves have underachieved in the playoffs?Is it insane to consider the way the Wolves have played "underachieving?You may or may not be smarter after hearing this. But you'll definitely feel better after a laugh or five. 

How can you not have Minnesota Timberwolves fever, especially on the precipice of a showdown full of stars, storylines, and bad blood between the Wolves and Golden State Warriors?Jimmy Butler — whose belligerence and self-engineered exit eventually sunk the squad into the abyss — returns to face unruly Target Center fans, not to mention the superstar who has lifted the Wolves from that abyss, Anthony Edwards.Steph Curry — a Hall-of-Famer who has spearheaded four NBA titles in the Bay Area while the Wolves have mostly wallowed in misery — returns to face the team that passed him over twice in the 2009 Draft. Then, there's the Big Man Battle Royale with Rudy Goebert and Draymond Green, who choked Goebert in a game last year and trash-talked him from his pulpit on the TNT set. To add to the spice: ANT said publicly before the season started he couldn't wait to face the Warriors in the playoffs because Green "talks so much trash." John Gaskins and Matt Zimmer carve into the carnival to lead off this week's "Nobody's Listening Anyway" from Gateway Lounge, then take a stab at what to make of the tepid but not terrible Minnesota Twins. How much life will the returning-from-injury Royce Lewis give them? The latest heroics of Byron Buxton lead to this discussion:Is Buxton the most electrifying Twins player of all time? Does he belong on the Mount Rushmore of Most Electrifying Minnesota Pro Sports Athletes of the last 30 years? Which Wolves and Vikings players make that cut?Closer to home, what is there to make of the recently-announced partnership between the Summit League and Missouri Valley Conference, with the commissioner of the latter league taking over as commissioner of the Missouri Valley Football Conference and Summit League leader Josh Fenton being tabbed "Executive Advisor" in the MVFC?Finally, South Dakota State's 2025 season opening football opponent has an even more turned-over roster than the Jackrabbits, and the Augusta baseball and softball teams are heating up as the calendar flips to May. Why have the Vikings been so consistently successful in those diamond sports for over a decade? 

Things certainly feel different in South Dakota State's football program — at least the personality of the head coach and staff and therefore the atmosphere of spring football.Happy Hour host John Gaskins and Sioux Falls Live SDSU reporter Matt Zimmer compare notes of their recent interviews with quarterback Chase Mason and offensive lineman Quinten Christensen and wax poetic about the "vibe" of the program and how it will serve the Jacks in what feels like a year of upcoming uncertainty, considering all the new players and coaches. While Mason has the "rocket" arm and undeniable athletic prowess, USD's Aiden Bouman brings unmatched experience into the MVFC and FCS national race that gives them an "edge" against other FCS powers, according to local football guru Kurtiss Riggs. Both USD and SDSU saw multiple players sign NFL undrafted free agent deals, but is there one local player that feels like he has the best chance to make a roster? What do we make of the Vikings' first-round choice and the trade that made Sam Howell the backup quarterback? (Hint — we don't think an Aaron Rodgers drop-in is still out of the question).Finally, what does the Timberwolves' 4-1 series win over the Lakers say about both teams?Also, find out how a guy named Seymour Weiner and TV legends Beavis & Butthead wove into the fabric of today's discussion.

Beyond Pierre lineman Grey Zabel, a North Dakota State Hall-of-Famer-to-be, it appears there may not be a South Dakotan (native, high school alumnus or local college player) drafted. But history tells us that doesn't mean there aren't several that could make an impact on NFL teams. It appears J.J. McCarthty will "hit the ground running" as Vikings QB1, according to Kevin O'Connell. But KOC also continues to lead Zim and John to believe the Vikes still may have Aaron Rodgers on their radar, which they should. Exhausted by NIL/portal transfer talk? So are we. So we keep it to a couple of recent nuggets.Finally, Augustana deserves a standing ovation for the forthcoming renovation of the Elmen Center to make it the on-campus hoops home -- at long last and full circle.And, we have two Dead Guys of the Week — one, we learned during taping of the show.

South Dakota State's roster full of youngsters and rookie starters looks green, while several USD players are leaving -- perhaps for literally greener pastures (NIL money?).Those are a couple headlines from spring football at the Rushmore State Div. I schools, according to Sioux Falls Live's Matt Zimmer, who joins John Gaskins for another "Nobody Listening Anyway" pow wow from Gateway Lounge. Who and what stood out at SDSU, and what do we make of quatterback Chase Mason so far? And what does the exodus from Vermillion lead us to believe about the nature of FCS and college athletics?Yes, it delves into another NIL and portal transfer, but we promise an entertaining one. Plus, you don't want to miss Zim's rant about the Twins, which aims squarely at "dumb" owner Joe Pohlad.

Woops! We failed to post the reaction show to Eric Henderson leaving SDSU for Drake and the near-immediate hiring of Bryan Petersen as his on-staff replacement.Are Jackrabbits fans spoiled?They are treated to national championship football teams and every-other-year NCAA Tournament berths for men's basketball.Yet, there's still frustration among some about the football and basketball coaches leaving after 2-6 years.How do we make sense of it, and of Eric Henderson leaving for Drake, a job that seems "barely" a notch above the SDSU job (and in some areas, like arena and fan support, maybe a notch below)?There's real "life-changing money" to all this... and how much does that matter?Was Bryan Petersen the right hire? How much does his junior college head coaching experience matter?And what kind of a choice would "Coach Klink," the 19-year assistant, have been?John Gaskins and Matt Zimmer sort at all that, then squabble about the importance of a mid-major presence in the NCAA men's basketball tournament.

Is SDSU vs UConn the biggest sporting event in the history of South Dakota State — and maybe even the state of South Dakota — considering the Jackrabbits' opponent, the stakes, and the national stage this game is on?Yes, there have been football FBS national titles and Div. II men's and women's national titles, plus other matchups with big-name, top-notch big league schools in the big sports. But this is the all-time women's national program (record 11 titles), still coached by the inarguable best (or most decorated) coaching titan of the entire sport, in the NCAA Tournament, not just a November or December non-conference game.This is Geno Auriemma and Paige Bueckers in the NCAA Tournaand a No. 2 seed that could win the national title!Matt Zimmer is there to talk about how historically relevant Monday night's game is, what kind of chances the Jackrabbits have, and how SDSU socred a satisfying but not necessarily surprising Jacks win over Oklahoma State on Saturday.Plenty of comparisons between the SDSU and UConn programs and coaches, and plenty of insight into some of the things Auriemma and Aaron Johnston and SDSU players had to say in his Sunday pre-game press conference, attended mostly by South Dakoa media.Would a victory be the greatest moment in South Dakota State athletics history — if not in state of South Dakota history.So much big game to discuss!

The Jackrabbits got hosed. That's Matt Zimmer's assessment of their No. 10 seed in the NCAA Women's Tournament, despite beating three ranked teams and playing four Quad-1 teams, with two close games. John Gaskins tried to make sense of the seeding with some NET and quad logic.Why will Oklahoma State be a difficult matchup for the Jacks? And, how much is Matt looking forward to covering who John calls the "Buddha" of women's basketball Geno Auriemma? Oh, and Aaron Rodgers reportedly has chosen the Vikings, but will they choose him? Do we want that?

Aaron Rodgers hasn't found a place to play yet — at least, as of this show's publishing. So, why not the Minnesota Vikings? In this week's "Nobody's Listening Anyway," Sioux Falls Live's Matt Zimmer and John Gaskins describe why they think Rodgers in purple would work, in addition to the McCarthy era that appears to be unfolding with lots of big-money free agent re-signings and acquisitions — thanks to the over $33 million Minnesota would have had to spend on Sam Darnold.

Who will emerge from a stacked, up-for-grabs field as the men's Summit League Tournament champion and go dancing? Will a home court advantage be enough for the South Dakota State men to overcome the loss of their starting point guard?Should SDSU's Oscar Cluff have been voted conference player of the year over Omaha's Marquel Sutton? Does USD's Grace Larkins deserve to be women's player of the year even though she played on a team that went 5-11 in league play?What do we make of the league potentially sending a vague message that suggests it will move long-time all-sessions ticket holders — many of whom are Jackrabbit fans who have been re-ordering their tickets since the first SLT in Sioux Falls 16 years ago — out of their seats? Is this biting the hands that feed it? Answers to these questions and more in the latest edition of "Nobody's Listening Anyway" with Sioux Falls Live sports editor Matt Zimmer and Happy Hour host John Gaskins. Plus:Zimmer's biggest takeaways from the very first SDSU football practice of the Dan Jackson eraReaction to the Minnesota Vikings not franchise-tagging Sam DarnoldJimmy Johnson's retirement from FOX NFLGene Hackman's legacy — particularly in Hoosiers

John and Matt re-live their couples day drinking trip to Brookings on Sunday and get down to business with the Jacks' sleepy (until the last few minutes) win over Kansas City, how SDSU will fare without Owen Larson, the Omaha Mavs' first regular season title, and the final week of games before next year's tourney. Plus, Pierre native Gray Zabel is all of a sudden on Mel Kuiper's NFL Draft board as the No. 24 overall pick to the Vikings! Does this make us any more excited for the combine?

What should we make of the latest Jackrabbit victories in the State-U basketball series after a pair of riveting games? On this week's "Nobody's Listening Anyway" with John Gaskins and Matt Zimmer break down the SDSU men's trouble against USD's full-court press, Jacks coach Eric Henderson's teaching touch, the Coyotes' impressive climb back from the abyss via the up-tempo identity Eric Peterson established, and if the SDSU women's 60-game league win streak is more a product of Aaron Johnston's genius or a lack of worthy competition (hint: both).Then, a fun potpourri of topics — Pat Mahomes vs. John Rocker, the USA-Canada fistacuffs, SNL's 50th Anniversary show, and Netflix making its move to take over NFL Sundays. 

This may be as good of a mood Matt Zimmer has ever been in the four-plus years of "Nobody's Listening Anyway," as he appears to still be glowing — and gloating — over the humiliation of Patrick Mahomes and the get-out-of-my-life Kansas City Chiefs. However, Zimmer and John Gaskins explain why the putrid performance did not put much of a dent in Mahomes's legacy.How far do the Vikings have to reach what the Eagles have, and what do they need to get to have it? What do we make of the major moments in New Orleans — Trump, Taylor Swift, Kendrick Lamar, the anthem, and the commercials?And now that football is over for the season, now what? Here in South Dakota, Summit League hoops is heating up, including a big couple of games for both South Dakota State men's and women's teams — first on Wednesday (women at NDSU) and Thursday (men host first-place Omaha), and then "State vs U" weekend with games against USD.How do we wrap our brains and arms around "Amazing Grace" Larkins, especially compared to the last prolific scoring machine from this state, SDSU's Macy Miller? We finish with Matt's rant about the miserable Minnesota Twins' ownership and his excitement level for the upcoming season. Plus, back by unpopular demand, our "Dead Guy of the Week," which was an excuse to bring up a sneaky awesome sports comedy flick from the early 1990's.

Steve Miller sucks! That's Matt's opinion on the 1970's and 80's rocker, and he isn't much more excited about the Super Bowl, despite the fact the Chiefs could reach NFL mortality with three straight titles.  Warning: We are NOT your authority on the breakdown of the matchups of the game!... but we do dive into prop bets and past Super Bowl halftime shows — the good, the bad, and the crappy.  It's National Signing Day, which doesn't mean as much as it used to for most Div. I college football teams, except South Dakota State, which needed a big rally the last six weeks after Jimmy Rogers and a boatload of players and commits left. Plus, a bigger picture view of USD and it's recruiting going forward — how important is it for the Coyotes to get more in-state recuits. Zim explains why Augie hockey should be even more of a thing than it is, and we finish on Sacramento State's likely decision to move to the FBS and what it means for FCS schools like SDSU , NDSU and USD.

In a rollicking, one-hour pow-wow from the Gateway Lounge, 17-year friends and 5-year podcast partners John Gaskins and Matt Zimmer take their maiden voyage on a made-for-TV (well, YouTube) episode and dive further into the nation's obsession and aggression toward the Kansas City Chiefs, then steer into local football matters like Zim's interview with Steelers offensive lineman and former Roosevelt and SDSU stud Mason McCormick. Speaking of offensive linemen, the best in state high school history just chose Iowa over Nebraska and Minnesota — why? Then, a dip into the dynamic of best friends and South Dakota football legends Kurtiss Riggs and Kalen DeBoer — and how the latter could really use the former to give Alabama a jolt back into the national title picture. Next, a delve into the most recent news of both Dan Jackson's recruiting efforts and success at SDSU (Semchenko/Kabrera) and good buddy Jimmy Rogers' continued luring of South Dakota talent to Washington State (Schlimgen). The boys round third and head toward home plate with an "A League of their Own" analogy to the current state of Jackrabbits and Coyotes hoops after both SDSU squads beat up USD again. 

Zim lauds the hires of head football coaches Dan Jackson (SDSU) and Travis Johansen (USD) but explains why they won't be considered great hires if both guys are still around a decade from now. Also, some words about the amount of coverage the state's two D1 athletic programs get. As Zim says, "Title IX does not apply to media coverage." Also, a glimpse into early Summit League hoops conference play ahead of "State vs U" Saturday for both men's and women's squads.

One minute after John Gaskins and Matt Zimmer walked out of a nearly hour-long conversation with the new SDSU football in his office, Jackson actually broke the news via text that USD coach Bob Nielson is retiring. So, John and Zim begin with a 12-minute reaction to the 65-year-old's decision to step down after a nine seasons in Vermillion and 32 overall as a head coach, walking off with an 11-3 season and the Coyotes' first Missouri Valley Football Conference championship and first FCS semifinal appearance in school history — just two years after the Yotes finished 3-8 after a blowout home loss, leaving fans wondering if his job was secure. Defensive coordinator Travis Johansen takes over the program. Then, 54 minutes with Jackson, who just six days ago was introduced as the replacement to good friend and John Stiegelmeier heir apparent Jimmy Rogers, who left for five times his salary at Washington State and took his entire coaching staff and over a dozen players with him. A recruiting war between the schools ensued. Jackson discusses his first week on the job, acclimation to a galvanized group of players, the staff he is hiring, a deep into dealing with NIL, and how much Chase Mason and Quentin Christensen kept together the core of the 2025 roster as fellow "recruiting coordinators" to keep as many Jacks in Brookings as possible. 

Zim wants to shut up & calm down ornery SDSU fans re: coaching & player flux. More Dan Jackson insight, NDSU national title thoughts & Vikings hyperventilation. What should the Vikes do about diaper-soiling Sam Darnold?

John joins on vacation from Tempe while Zim reports and opines on Rogers leaving for WSU and why Dan Jackson is probably the man.

Kurtiss Riggs fills in for Zim and provides deep dives into the FCS games, plus the coaching strengths and futures of SDSU, USD and NDSU

Deep dive into storylines and matchups, as NLA joins "Happy Hour with John Gaskins." We begin with Fireball and drunk dog stories, and the hot sales lady from Christmas Vacation turning 71.

Should SDSU, USD or NDSU be on upset alert?

USD, SDSU and NDSU previews. What "type" should replace Bubba?

Did the FCS get seeding right? Who's ass are we talking about this week?

Plus, the most important truth from Paul-Tyson fight!

Plus, mustache craze must go! Kalen DeBoer fending off vultures at Alabama. And state football championships!

An OT classic in Brookings means a big picture conversation about SDSU & USD and the national overview.

NDSU's win over SDSU means what for the Jacks? Can Yotes finally win in Brookings? Bama --- oh, boy!

Jacks play rivals back-to-back. We preview the Dakota Marker game. Plus, Mountain West buzz (?) and R.I.P. SID, Mr. USF.

Kalen DeBoer, from hero to, uh, not such a hero in one week. Jacks back on track. Yotes dominating. Big wins for Augie & USF. Vikings 5-0. Chiefs fatigue?

Zim's trip to see old friend Kalen DeBoer and CFB's Game of the Millennium. Also, a Jacks-Yotes-Augie-USF-Vikings speed drill.

SDSU bayou beatdown, Yotes, Augie, USF, Huskers, Hawkeyes, Gophers, and the Super Bowl-bound Vikings?

Augie game aftermath. USD hurt later by cancellation? And the Stricker International.

Plus, the rekindling of the SDSU-Augie "rivalry"

Jacks-Pokes review, USD-Badgers preview, Birds postseason history

Biggest test (and potential biggest win) in Jacks history?

SDSU & USD week-before-gameweek buzz, plus we weigh in on school start times and Phil Donahue.

Awesome all-access insight from Zim!

Will there be another "Donald Sutherland is gay" moment?

The rise of D1 and P5 talent in this region of the last decade is impressive. How'd it happen?

But first... the best character from Major League is...