Montana State's season comes to an end with loss to Jackrabbits

BROOKINGS, South Dakota - South Dakota State used a balanced offense and a suffocating defense to stymie Montana State 38-19 in an FCS Playoffs Semifinal showdown in snowy Brookings on Saturday.

The Jackrabbits scored on every possession in the first half to build a 28-9 lead and cruised to its second national championship game appearance in the last three seasons. SDSU lost to Sam Houston State in the spring of 2021.

South Dakota State's FCS leading rush defense put the clamps on what had been the nation's top rush offense, holding MSU to 52 yards on the ground. It was the Bobcats' lowest rushing output since the Jackrabbits limited the Cats to 29 yards in 2018 in Dykhouse Stadium.

"The credit goes to SDSU," said Bobcat coach Brent Vigen. "They tackled us well, they defended well. In a lot of ways I thought this game would come down to who tackled better, and they definitely did that tonight."

The coldest home game in South Dakota State history, nine degrees at kickoff, featured a hot start by each offense. The Jackrabbits moved 75 yards in six plays on the opening drive, with Mark Gronowski finding Tucker Kraft on a 36-yard touchdown pass to open the scoring.

The Bobcats answered. On a 10-play drive that featured heavy doses of both MSU quarterbacks, Tommy Mellott and Sean Chambers, the latter plunged in from one yard out to close a 67-yard drive. The hold on a low snap for the PAT was mishandled, and the point after failed.

From that point on, the competitive part of game was all SDSU. The Jackrabbits' 319 first half yards were more than any of the team's previous three opponents, all nationally ranked, gained in the entire game. The Bobcat offense struggled against the nation's top-ranked rush defense, gaining just 17 yards on the ground before halftime.

South Dakota State rushed for 281 yards and threw for 192 on 11-for-16 passing. Isaiah Davis rushed for 158 yards to pace the Jackrabbits, but Mark Gronowski also threw for 189 yards and two touchdowns and tight end Tucker Kraft caught four passes for 69 yards and one score.

Tommy Mellott threw for 174 yards on 11-for-18 passing to lead MSU's offense. He also rushed for a touchdown.

The win advances South Dakota State to the FCS National Championship game on Jan. 6 against Missouri Valley Football Conference rival North Dakota State. SDSU beat the Bison earlier this season.

Montana State wraps up a 12-2 campaign after advancing to the FCS Semifinals for the third consecutive season.