The South Dakota State Jackrabbits continued their dominance on Saturday, December 14, 2024, blowing out the Incarnate Word Cardinals 55-14 at Dana J. Dykhouse Stadium, thereby solidifying their spot in the FCS semifinals for the fifth consecutive year.
The game started on shaky ground for the Jackrabbits, who fumbled on their initial drive. Yet, everything turned around quickly. Following this early misstep, SDSU's offense surged to life, scoring on five of their next six drives and establishing a decisive 31-0 lead by halftime.
Head coach Jimmy Rogers shared his excitement post-game, saying, "Really excited about the win, but I’m more excited about how we did it. Playing together. Team defense. Creating turnovers and opportunities for our offense, and then consistently executing on offense at rapid speed.” This notion of teamwork was evident as the Jackrabbits showcased their strength on both sides of the ball.
Mark Gronowski, SDSU's quarterback, delivered another stellar performance. He completed 7 of 16 passes for 174 yards, with three passing touchdowns and added two rushing scores. The key to his success was evident: his growing rapport with wide receiver Griffin Wilde, who caught three passes for 67 yards and scored two touchdowns.
“It’s the work we have been putting in together all season long. After practice, he and I are getting in extra reps and trying to build a connection,” Gronowski stated about Wilde's contributions. Wilde has had quite the run lately, amassing eight touchdowns over the last five games.
Defensively, the Jackrabbits were equally impressive. They forced Incarnate Word to turn the ball over on downs not once but twice during the first half. Senior cornerback Dalys Beanum noted the significance of these stops, articulately declaring, “It’s huge. Whenever we can get their offense off the field and give the ball back to our offense, it’s awesome.” The Jackrabbits held UIW to just 1-for-6 on fourth down attempts during the game.
Incarnate Word's quarterback, Zach Calzada, managed to throw for 249 yards and connect on one touchdown, but his team struggled against the well-prepared Jackrabbit defense. SDSU’s Matthew Durrance highlighted the defensive strategy, as they forced numerous turnovers and mishaps leading to favorable field positions.
With the score standing at 31-0 at the half, the Jackrabbits continued their momentum, with Gronowski hitting David Alpers for the first touchdown of Alpers's career, extending the lead to 38-0 early in the third quarter. Gronowski reflected on his possible last home game, stating, “It was kind of cool to know this was possibly your last home game, and I wouldn’t want it to happen any other way.”
The Cardinals did find some rhythm, scoring twice late in the game with Calzada cushioning the score to 38-14. A touchdown connection from Calzada to tight end Roy Alexander helped spark their offense, but it wasn’t enough to overcome the deficit as the Jackrabbits asserted their control throughout the game.
Even after UIW’s brief resurgence, the Jackrabbits answered back time and again, finally sealing the game with another touchdown run from freshman Breden Begeman, who scored his first career touchdown. These late scores emphasized the relentless drive of the SDSU players.
Rushing was another strong point for the Jackrabbits, who totaled 273 yards on the ground. Amar Johnson led the charge with 133 yards, showcasing the capabilities of the SDSU offensive line. Senior center Gus Miller expressed his elation about the team’s offensive line performance stating, “Our running backs were allowed to follow us and really lead. I was excited to see the push we were getting.”
Despite their remarkable achievements, the Jackrabbits remain focused on the ultimate goal. “It’s awesome for the university. National branding and national television, to go out and dominate like we did. But as competitors, it means nothing without heading to the National Championship,” Coach Rogers said.
Now, SDSU prepares to face their next opponent, the winner of the North Dakota State vs. Mercer matchup. Kickoff for this highly anticipated semifinal game is set for 11 am, Saturday. The Jackrabbits are gearing up for this challenge with the aim of setting another milestone and securing their place at the top.
South Dakota State’s consistent playoff performance has garnered national attention, proving they are not just participants but serious contenders for the championship. The road to the title continues with their eye on bringing home the prestigious trophy.
