South Dakota State scored early and often as they routed Butler in the 2013 opener Saturday night in Brookings, 55-14.

Zach Zenner, the leading rusher in the nation last season, picked up right where he left off in 2012, putting the ball in the end zone after just two carries and 75 yards on the first SDSU possession.  Zenner later added a 4-yard touchdown run and finished the first half with 109 yards rushing on 13 carries.  He ended up with 16 carries, 117 yards, and two scores.

When Zenner wasn't running the ball, junior quarterback Austin Sumner was throwing it - 16 of 25 in the first half for 234 yards and touchdown passes to Jason Schneider and Brandon Hubert.  Schneider had 7 catches for 95 yards in the first half.  Tight end Cam Jones caught 3 passes for 97 yards.

The Jacks rolled up 374 yards of offense in the first 30 minutes of play and led 31-7 at the half.

After giving up a touchdown drive to Butler midway through the first quarter, the SDSU defense clamped down limiting the Bulldog offense to just 109 yards of total offense in the first half.

Sumner added a third quarter touchdown pass to Schneider before giving way to backup Nate Meyer.  Sumner finished 22-32 for 326 yards and three touchdowns passing.

Schneider grabbed 10 passes for 160 yards and two scores.

The SDSU defense also got a score in the second half, as sophomore defensive back Je Ryan Butler returned an interception 39 yards for a touchdown.  The secondary picked off three passes on the night.

The Jacks dominated on the stat sheet, out gaining the Bulldogs 546-272 in total offense.

The Jackrabbits play at North Dakota next Saturday night at 6:00pm.

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