South Dakota State Claims Back-to-Back FCS Titles with Dominant Win over Montana
Frisco, Texas – In a commanding performance, South Dakota State secured their second consecutive football Championship Subdivision (FCS) title by defeating Montana 23-3 on Sunday. Mark Gronowski, the Jackrabbits’ quarterback, showcased his versatility by running for a touchdown and throwing for another in the second half.
The victory extended South Dakota State’s winning streak to an impressive 29 games. Their triumph over North Dakota State in last year’s FCS game marked their first national title. The Jackrabbits’ dominance was evident from the beginning, as they embarked on an impressive opening drive. However, they held just a narrow 7-3 lead at halftime.
Gronowski, appearing in his third FCS title game, made a significant impact after the break. He bulldozed his way into the end zone for a 10-yard score in the third quarter and followed it up with a 23-yard touchdown pass to Jadon Janke on the next possession. Gronowski finished the game with 175 passing yards, completing 13 of 21 attempts, and added 53 rushing yards on eight carries.
Montana, with a record 27 playoff appearances, holds the distinction of being the most successful team in the second tier of Division I football. Despite their storied history, the Grizzlies were unable to overcome South Dakota State’s dominant display. This marked their sixth time finishing as the runner-up, with four of those instances occurring under the guidance of coach Bobby Hauck.
For Montana, this was their first appearance in a title game since 2009 when they fell short for the third time during Hauck’s tenure. Hauck had previously departed for coaching positions at FBS team UNLV and San Diego State before returning to Montana in 2018.
Notably, South Dakota State’s victory last year prompted the retirement of head coach John Stiegelmeier after an illustrious 26-season tenure. He was succeeded by former Jackrabbits linebacker and defensive coordinator Jimmy Rogers. Rogers, who captained the team’s first playoff appearance in 2009, endured the disappointment of losing to Montana after squandering a 27-point lead.
Both teams had limited possessions in the first quarter of the title game. Montana’s opening drive extended into the second quarter, but on the 15th play, running back Eli Gillman was stopped by Jackrabbits linebacker Adam Boch on fourth-and-goal from the 1-yard line.
South Dakota State capitalized on their opening drive, with Gronowski exhibiting his prowess by completing his first five passes for 55 yards before Isaiah Davis rushed for a 6-yard touchdown. Despite some mistakes before halftime, including an interception thrown by Gronowski, the Jackrabbits maintained control of the game.
Clifton McDowell, Montana’s playmaking quarterback, faced increased pressure from South Dakota State’s defense, resulting in four sacks. While McDowell completed 22 of 39 passes for 165 yards, his efforts were not enough to overcome the Jackrabbits’ dominance. Defensive tackle Ryan Van Marel secured a crucial turnover late in the third quarter when he stripped McDowell of the ball.
South Dakota State’s triumph marked their third appearance in the title game in the past four seasons. They became the first team since North Dakota State (2017-2019) to secure back-to-back FCS titles. The Jackrabbits’ playoff run was highlighted by two resounding shutout victories, including a 41-0 win and a 59-0 triumph.
Looking ahead, Montana will face one of South Dakota State’s Missouri Valley Conference rivals in their 2024 opener, hosting Missouri State on August 31. Meanwhile, the Jackrabbits will commence their next season on the road against Big 12 team Oklahoma State on the same date. This game will mark their first matchup against a major conference team since their 7-3 loss to the Big Ten’s Iowa in the 2022 opener, which remains their most recent defeat.
(Note: This article has been rewritten to ensure uniqueness and originality. The original source is the Associated Press, and copyright restrictions apply.)
South Dakota State won its second consecutive Football Championship Subdivision (FCS) title by defeating Montana 23-3. The Jackrabbits extended their winning streak to 29 games and their quarterback, Mark Gronowski, ran for a touchdown and threw for another in the second half. Montana, with the most playoff appearances in the second tier of Division I football, finished as the runner-up for the sixth time. This was their first title game since 2009. South Dakota State’s victory marked their third appearance in the title game in four seasons. The Jackrabbits will open next season against Oklahoma State, while Montana will face Missouri State.
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