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Grand Forks Herald
UND fullback Mason South develops into unexpected red-zone target
- Story byGrand Forks Herald
- UND fullback Mason South develops into unexpected red-zone target
Oct. 9—GRAND FORKS — When the UND football team reaches the red zone, the options for the Fighting Hawks in the offensive backfield come from players with deep high school backgrounds of success.
Running back Charles Langama scored 41 touchdowns at Maple Grove in Minnesota. Running back Matt Lawson scored 14 touchdowns as a senior and had more than 2,700 all-purpose yards at Hoffman Estates in Illinois. Running back Colton Brunell scored 103 rushing touchdowns at Columbus in Wisconsin is the only back in the state's history to rush for more than 7,000 career yards.
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And how about UND fullback Mason South? He had one career high school touchdown catch at Maple Grove. He says it's his only lifetime touchdown before college.
Yet, this season, South has become a red-zone favorite for the No. 4-ranked Fighting Hawks, who travel to Northern Iowa for a 4 p.m. kickoff Saturday at the UNI-Dome.
South, a 6-foot-2, 247-pound fifth-year senior, has four catches this year and three have gone for touchdowns.
"I do a lot of blocking, so it's awesome to get a little pay-off in the pass game," South said. "But I have to credit (offensive coordinator Danny Freund) for the playcalls. He's just getting me open."
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In high school, South, who was a senior when Langama was a freshman at the Minnesota high school powerhouse, was mainly an outside linebacker and edge rusher. He played a little fullback, but he mostly had Division III offers to play defense until UND assistant Shawn Kostich reached out to offer a walk-on spot as a fullback.
South's only Division I opportunities were from the non-scholarship Pioneer League.
"I said 'Yes,' right away," South said. "I took a chance on myself, and it paid off, I'd say."
South is now on a partial scholarship.
UND tight ends-fullbacks coach Gordie Haug said South's strength is leadership.
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"He treats it like a pro every day," Haug said. "It's the tenacity to practice full speed every rep. Extra work is the standard around here, and he's always putting in extra work."
South says whether he plays five plays or 30 in a game, he wants to give every opportunity his full effort.
"When I'm in, I need to send a message with my body and play as physical as possible," South said. "I know my teammates will feed off that — if I hit someone and put them on the ground. Each week, I want to sell out for the boys the best I can."
South's strength in the run game is what has set up his pass-catching opportunities. South earned all-Missouri Valley Football Conference honorable mention honors as a fullback last season.
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"There are a lot of run gaps you have to defend, then you bluff a guy ... it's a pretty simple aspect of that offense-defense game," Haug said. "When does what he can in the run game, it opens the pass game."
