American college football season
The 2023 South Dakota State Jackrabbits football team represented the South Dakota State University as a member of the Missouri Valley Football Conference (MVFC) during the 2023 NCAA Division I FCS football season . Led by first-year head coach Jimmy Rogers , the Jackrabbits compiled an overall record of 15–0 with a mark of 8–0 in conference play, winning the MVFC title for the second straight season. South Dakota State received the MVFC's automatic bid to the NCAA Division I Football Championship playoffs, where after a first-round bye, the Jackrabbits defeated Mercer in the second round, Villanova in the quarterfinals, Albany in the semifinals, and Montana in the NCAA Division I Football Championship Game to win program's second consecutive national title. South Dakota State outscored opponents 146-15 in the four playoff games, completed a wire-to-wire season as the No. 1 ranked team in the NCAA Division I Football Championship Subdivision (FCS), and extended the team's winning streak to 29 games. The team played home games on campus at Dana J. Dykhouse Stadium in Brookings, South Dakota .
Schedule
Date Time Opponent Rank Site TV Result Attendance 7:00 p.m. Western Oregon * No. 1 ESPN+ W 45–716,258
September 9 6:00 p.m. No. 3 Montana State * No. 1 Dana J. Dykhouse Stadium Brookings, SD ESPN+ W 20–1619,332
September 16 2:30 p.m. vs. Drake * No. 1 ESPN+ W 70–718,174
September 30 2:00 p.m. No. 12 North Dakota No. 1 Dana J. Dykhouse Stadium Brookings, SD ESPN+ W 42–2119,231
October 7 6:00 p.m. at Illinois State No. 1 ESPN+ W 40–218,272
October 14 2:00 p.m. Northern Iowa No. 1 Dana J. Dykhouse Stadium Brookings, SD ESPN+ W 41–619,357
October 21 2:00 p.m. at No. 12 Southern Illinois No. 1 ESPN+ W 17–1011,927
October 28 1:00 p.m. at No. 4 South Dakota No. 1 ESPN+ W 37–39,458
November 4 2:00 p.m. No. 11 North Dakota State No. 1 ESPN+ W 33–1619,431
November 11 11:00 a.m. at No. 22 Youngstown State No. 1 ESPN+ W 34–09,303
November 18 2:00 p.m. Missouri State No. 1 Dana J. Dykhouse Stadium Brookings, SD ESPN+ W 35–1715,637
December 2 1:00 p.m. No. 17 Mercer * No. 1 ESPN+ W 41–010,171
December 9 11:00 a.m. No. 6 Villanova * No. 1 Dana J. Dykhouse Stadium Brookings, SD (NCAA Division I Quarterfinal) ESPN W 23–1210,216
6:00 p.m. No. 5 Albany * No. 1 Dana J. Dykhouse Stadium Brookings, SD (NCAA Division I Semifinal) ESPN2 W 59–012,265
, 20241:00 p.m. vs. No. 2 Montana * No. 1 ABC W 23–319,512
[1] [2]
Rankings
Ranking movementsLegend: ( ) = First-place votes Week Poll Pre 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 Final STATS FCS 1 (56) 1 (55) 1 (52) 1 (52) 1 (54) 1 (56) 1 (56) 1 (56) 1 (56) 1 (56) 1 (56) 1 (56) 1 (56) Coaches 1 (24) 1 (25) 1 (26) 1 (26) 1 (26) 1 (26) 1 (26) 1 (26) 1 (26) 1 (25) 1 (26) 1 (26) 1 (24)
Game summaries
Western Oregon
Western Oregon at No. 1 South Dakota State Dairy Drive
1
2 3 4 Total
Wolves
0
0 0 7
7
• No. 1 Jackrabbits
21
21 3 0
45
Date: August 31Location: Dana J. Dykhouse Stadium Brookings, SD Game start: 7:10 p.m. CDT Elapsed time: 2:54Game attendance: 16,258Game weather: 80 °F (27 °C), Sunny, Wind S 20 mph (32 km/h)Referee: Aaron AdamsTelevision network: ESPN+
[3]
Statistics
WOU
SDSU
First downs
13
21
Total yards
209
403
Rushing yards
102
209
Passing yards
107
194
Turnovers
3
0
Time of possession
30:05
29:55
Team
Category
Player
Statistics
Western Oregon
Passing
Gannon Winker
12/23, 67 yards, 3 INT
Rushing
Jordan McCarty
8 carries, 37 yards, TD
Receiving
Damon Hickok
3 receptions, 40 yards
South Dakota State
Passing
Mark Gronowski
8/10, 121 yards, TD
Rushing
Amar Johnson
8 carries, 70 yards
Receiving
Griffin Wilde
4 receptions, 79 yards, TD
No. 3 Montana State
No. 3 Montana State at No. 1 South Dakota State Beef Bowl
1
2 3 4 Total
No. 3 Bobcats
7
3 0 6
16
• No. 1 Jackrabbits
0
0 7 13
20
Date: September 9Location: Dana J. Dykhouse Stadium Brookings, SD Game start: 6:05 p.m. CDT Elapsed time: 3:07Game attendance: 19,332Game weather: 70 °F (21 °C), Sunny, Wind NE 10 mph (16 km/h)Referee: Rick WarneTelevision network: ESPN+
[4]
Statistics
MSU
SDSU
First downs
17
20
Total yards
298
341
Rushing yards
211
157
Passing yards
87
184
Turnovers
1
0
Time of possession
35:23
24:37
Team
Category
Player
Statistics
Montana State
Passing
Sean Chambers
3/9, 53 yards, INT
Rushing
Sean Chambers
20 carries, 90 yards, TD
Receiving
Derryk Snell
3 receptions, 38 yards
South Dakota State
Passing
Mark Gronowski
13/22, 184 yards, 2 TD
Rushing
Isaiah Davis
12 carries, 66 yards
Receiving
Griffin Wilde
2 receptions, 49 yards, TD
vs. Drake
No. 1 South Dakota State vs. Drake Bulldogs
1
2 3 4 Total
• No. 1 Jackrabbits
14
21 21 14
70
Bulldogs
7
0 0 0
7
Date: September 16Location: Target Field Minneapolis, MN Game start: 2:35 p.m. CDT Elapsed time: 3:07Game attendance: 18,174Game weather: 71 °F (22 °C), Cloudy, Wind NW 10 mph (16 km/h)Referee: Marcel KerrTelevision network: ESPN+
[5]
Statistics
SDSU
Drake
First downs
28
10
Total yards
618
267
Rushing yards
359
47
Passing yards
259
220
Turnovers
1
0
Time of possession
27:49
32:11
Team
Category
Player
Statistics
South Dakota State
Passing
Mark Gronowski
18/25, 226 yards, 5 TD, INT
Rushing
Angel Johnson
4 carries, 90 yards, 2 TD
Receiving
Jaxon Janke
7 receptions, 85 yards, TD
Drake
Passing
Luke Bailey
16/29, 201 yards, TD
Rushing
Luke Bailey
3 carries, 25 yards
Receiving
Colin Howard
3 receptions, 103 yards, TD
No. 12 North Dakota
No. 12 North Dakota at No. 1 South Dakota State Precision Ag Bowl
1
2 3 4 Total
No. 12 Fighting Hawks
0
7 0 14
21
• No. 1 Jackrabbits
14
7 7 14
42
Date: September 30Location: Dana J. Dykhouse Stadium Brookings, SD Game start: 2:05 p.m. CDT Elapsed time: 3:05Game attendance: 19,231Game weather: 78 °F (26 °C), Sunny, Wind N 10 mph (16 km/h)Referee: Jason BergTelevision network: ESPN+
[6]
Statistics
UND
SDSU
First downs
17
26
Total yards
234
433
Rushing yards
68
266
Passing yards
166
167
Turnovers
0
0
Time of possession
29:39
30:21
Team
Category
Player
Statistics
North Dakota
Passing
Tommy Schuster
19/24, 118 yards, TD
Rushing
Gaven Ziebarth
5 carries, 22 yards
Receiving
Red Wilson
5 receptions, 45 yards
South Dakota State
Passing
Mark Gronowski
13/22, 167 yards, TD
Rushing
Isaiah Davis
16 carries, 132 yards, 3 TD
Receiving
Jaxon Janke
3 receptions, 51 yards, TD
at Illinois State
No. 1 South Dakota State at Illinois State
1
2 3 4 Total
• No. 1 Jackrabbits
20
14 0 6
40
Redbirds
0
14 7 0
21
Date: October 7Location: Hancock Stadium Normal, IL Game start: 6:05 p.m. CDT Elapsed time: 2:54Game attendance: 8,272Game weather: 56 °F (13 °C), Cloudy, Wind SW 9 mph (14 km/h)Referee: Gregory GompfTelevision network: ESPN+
[7]
Statistics
SDSU
ISU
First downs
25
18
Total yards
547
293
Rushing yards
374
122
Passing yards
173
171
Turnovers
1
2
Time of possession
35:45
24:15
Team
Category
Player
Statistics
South Dakota State
Passing
Mark Gronowski
11/17, 171 yards, 3 TD
Rushing
Isaiah Davis
20 carries, 197 yards, 2 TD
Receiving
Jaxon Janke
5 receptions, 88 yards, TD
Illinois State
Passing
Zack Annexstad
26/33, 162 yards, TD
Rushing
Mason Blakemore
6 carries, 57 yards, TD
Receiving
Daniel Sobkowicz
7 receptions, 70 yards, TD
Northern Iowa
Northern Iowa at No. 1 South Dakota State Hobo Day
1
2 3 4 Total
Panthers
0
3 0 3
6
• No. 1 Jackrabbits
14
10 14 3
41
Date: October 14Location: Dana J. Dykhouse Stadium Brookings, SD Game start: 2:05 p.m. CDT Elapsed time: 2:58Game attendance: 19,357Game weather: 49 °F (9 °C), Cloudy, Wind N 15 mph (24 km/h)Referee: Jason PerkinsTelevision network: ESPN+
[8]
Statistics
UNI
SDSU
First downs
14
21
Total yards
264
460
Rushing yards
40
169
Passing yards
224
291
Turnovers
5
2
Time of possession
24:37
35:23
Team
Category
Player
Statistics
Northern Iowa
Passing
Theo Day
16/24, 210 yards, 2 INT
Rushing
Zach Brand
6 carries, 30 yards
Receiving
Sam Schnee
4 receptions, 104 yards
South Dakota State
Passing
Mark Gronowski
21/26, 291 yards, TD
Rushing
Isaiah Davis
16 carries, 103 yards, TD
Receiving
Zach Heins
4 receptions, 69 yards, 2 TD
at No. 12 Southern Illinois
No. 1 South Dakota State at No. 12 Southern Illinois
1
2 3 4 Total
• No. 1 Jackrabbits
0
7 7 3
17
No. 12 Salukis
0
0 0 10
10
Date: October 21Location: Saluki Stadium Carbondale, IL Game start: 2:02 p.m. CDT Elapsed time: 3:05Game attendance: 11,927Game weather: 67 °F (19 °C), Sunny, Wind E 13 mph (21 km/h)Referee: CJ JacksonTelevision network: ESPN+
[9]
Statistics
SDSU
SIU
First downs
15
20
Total yards
308
308
Rushing yards
147
83
Passing yards
161
225
Turnovers
1
1
Time of possession
31:50
28:10
Team
Category
Player
Statistics
South Dakota State
Passing
Mark Gronowski
15/21, 161 yards, TD, INT
Rushing
Isaiah Davis
15 carries, 91 yards, TD
Receiving
Griffin Wilde
2 receptions, 61 yards, TD
Southern Illinois
Passing
Nic Baker
20/24, 225 yards, TD, INT
Rushing
Nic Baker
15 carries, 31 yards
Receiving
D'Ante' Cox
7 receptions, 88 yards, TD
at No. 4 South Dakota
No. 1 South Dakota State at No. 4 South Dakota
1
2 3 4 Total
• No. 1 Jackrabbits
0
17 6 14
37
No. 4 Coyotes
3
0 0 0
3
Date: October 28Location: DakotaDome Vermillion, SD Game start: 1:06 p.m. CDT Elapsed time: 2:49Game attendance: 9,458Game weather: 72 °F (22 °C), IndoorReferee: Gregory GompfTelevision network: ESPN+
[10]
Statistics
SDSU
USD
First downs
25
13
Total yards
473
183
Rushing yards
266
50
Passing yards
207
133
Turnovers
1
2
Time of possession
35:59
24:01
Team
Category
Player
Statistics
South Dakota State
Passing
Mark Gronowski
13/19, 207 yards, INT
Rushing
Isaiah Davis
17 carries, 69 yards
Receiving
Jaxon Janke
3 receptions, 93 yards
South Dakota
Passing
Aidan Bouman
17/31, 133 yards, 2 INT
Rushing
Travis Theis
9 carries, 29 yards
Receiving
JJ Galbreath
8 receptions, 65 yards
No. 11 North Dakota State
No. 11 North Dakota State at No. 1 South Dakota StateDakota Marker
1
2 3 4 Total
No. 11 Bison
6
3 0 7
16
• No. 1 Jackrabbits
7
13 7 6
33
Date: November 4Location: Dana J. Dykhouse Stadium Brookings, SD Game start: 2:05 p.m. CDT Elapsed time: 3:18Game attendance: 19,431Game weather: 54 °F (12 °C), Sunny, Wind S 10 mph (16 km/h)Referee: Aaron AdamsTelevision network: ESPN+
[11]
Statistics
NDSU
SDSU
First downs
19
17
Total yards
325
365
Rushing yards
158
152
Passing yards
167
213
Turnovers
2
0
Time of possession
30:18
29:42
Team
Category
Player
Statistics
North Dakota State
Passing
Cam Miller
18/29, 167 yards, 2 TD, 2 INT
Rushing
Cam Miller
17 carries, 93 yards
Receiving
Eli Green
4 receptions, 47 yards
South Dakota State
Passing
Mark Gronowski
12/19, 213 yards, 2 TD
Rushing
Isaiah Davis
17 carries, 106 yards, TD
Receiving
Jadon Janke
5 receptions, 89 yards, 2 TD
at No. 22 Youngstown State
No. 1 South Dakota State at No. 22 Youngstown State
1
2 3 4 Total
• No. 1 Jackrabbits
3
17 7 7
34
No. 22 Penguins
0
0 0 0
0
Date: November 11Location: DakotaDome Vermillion, SD Game start: 12:02 p.m. CST Elapsed time: 3:03Game attendance: 9,303Game weather: 46 °F (8 °C), Sunny, Wind NW 5 mph (8.0 km/h)Referee: Rick WarneTelevision network: ESPN+
[12]
Statistics
SDSU
YSU
First downs
22
16
Total yards
490
207
Rushing yards
166
47
Passing yards
324
160
Turnovers
0
1
Time of possession
33:31
26:29
Team
Category
Player
Statistics
South Dakota State
Passing
Mark Gronowski
19/28, 295 yards, 3 TD
Rushing
Isaiah Davis
19 carries, 130 yards, TD
Receiving
Jadon Janke
7 receptions, 166 yards, 2 TD
Youngstown State
Passing
Mitch Davidson
18/30, 160 yards, INT
Rushing
Tyshon King
7 carries, 20 yards
Receiving
Max Tomczak
5 receptions, 57 yards
Missouri State
Missouri State at No. 1 South Dakota State Military Appreciation Day/Senior Day
1
2 3 4 Total
Bears
3
0 7 7
17
• No. 1 Jackrabbits
14
7 7 7
35
Date: November 18Location: Dana J. Dykhouse Stadium Brookings, SD Game start: 2:05 p.m. CST Elapsed time: 2:53Game attendance: 15,637Game weather: 59 °F (15 °C), Sunny, Wind W 10 mph (16 km/h)Referee: Marcel KerrTelevision network: ESPN+
[13]
Statistics
MSU
SDSU
First downs
15
29
Total yards
343
477
Rushing yards
82
154
Passing yards
261
323
Turnovers
0
0
Time of possession
26:05
33:55
Team
Category
Player
Statistics
Missouri State
Passing
Jordan Pachot
23/35, 261 yards, 2 TD
Rushing
Celdon Manning
3 carries, 41 yards
Receiving
Raylen Sharpe
8 receptions, 86 yards
South Dakota State
Passing
Mark Gronowski
16/23, 323 yards, 2 TD
Rushing
Isaiah Davis
17 carries, 85 yards, TD
Receiving
Jadon Janke
10 receptions, 187 yards, TD
No. 17 Mercer—NCAA Division I Second Round
No. 17 Mercer at No. 1 South Dakota State NCAA Division I Second Round
1
2 3 4 Total
No. 17 Bears
0
0 0 0
0
• No. 1 Jackrabbits
3
21 7 10
41
Date: December 2Location: Dana J. Dykhouse Stadium Brookings, SD Game start: 1:02 p.m. CST Elapsed time: 2:39Game attendance: 10,171Game weather: 37 °F (3 °C), Sunny, Wind S 20 mph (32 km/h)Referee: Gary LeeperTelevision network: ESPN+
[14]
Statistics
MER
SDSU
First downs
6
24
Total yards
151
571
Rushing yards
76
346
Passing yards
75
225
Turnovers
2
1
Time of possession
24:34
35:26
Team
Category
Player
Statistics
Mercer
Passing
Carter Peevy
14/22, 75 yards, 2 INT
Rushing
Chris Hill
1 carry, 24 yards
Receiving
Ty James
2 receptions, 28 yards
South Dakota State
Passing
Mark Gronowski
11/16, 158 yards, TD, INT
Rushing
Isaiah Davis
16 carries, 117 yards, 3 TD
Receiving
Jaxon Janke
7 receptions, 106 yards, TD
No. 6 Villanova—NCAA Division I Quarterfinal
No. 6 Villanova at No. 1 South Dakota State NCAA Division I Quarterfinal
1
2 3 4 Total
No. 6 Wildcats
0
9 0 3
12
• No. 1 Jackrabbits
3
7 7 6
23
Date: December 9Location: Dana J. Dykhouse Stadium Brookings, SD Game start: 11:08 a.m. CST Elapsed time: 2:50Game attendance: 10,216Game weather: 29 °F (−2 °C), Cloudy, Wind NW 30 mph (48 km/h)Referee: Gregg WilsonTelevision network: ESPN
[15]
Statistics
VIL
SDSU
First downs
10
16
Total yards
219
343
Rushing yards
145
242
Passing yards
74
101
Turnovers
1
1
Time of possession
28:33
31:27
Team
Category
Player
Statistics
Villanova
Passing
Connor Watkins
6/18, 74 yards, INT
Rushing
Jalen Jackson
9 carry, 67 yards, TD
Receiving
Rayjuon
2 receptions, 29 yards
South Dakota State
Passing
Mark Gronowski
11/19, 101 yards, TD
Rushing
Isaiah Davis
27 carries, 192 yards, TD
Receiving
Zach Heins
1 receptions, 26 yards
No. 5 Albany—NCAA Division I Semifinal
No. 5 Albany at No. 1 South Dakota State NCAA Division I Semifinal
1
2 3 4 Total
No. 5 Great Danes
0
0 0 0
0
• No. 1 Jackrabbits
14
21 7 17
59
Date: December 15Location: Dana J. Dykhouse Stadium Brookings, SD Game start: 6:04 p.m. CST Elapsed time: 2:58Game attendance: 12,265Game weather: 39 °F (4 °C), Cloudy, Wind SE 5 mph (8.0 km/h)Referee: Kelly HolmanTelevision network: ESPN2
[16]
Statistics
ALB
SDSU
First downs
19
22
Total yards
298
556
Rushing yards
66
220
Passing yards
232
336
Turnovers
4
0
Time of possession
32:12
27:48
Team
Category
Player
Statistics
Albany
Passing
Reese Poffenbarger
30/44, 232 yards, 3 INT
Rushing
Reese Poffenbarger
9 carries, 29 yards
Receiving
Julian Hicks
7 receptions, 76 yards
South Dakota State
Passing
Mark Gronowski
15/19, 265 yards, 3 TD
Rushing
Isaiah Davis
15 carries, 107 yards, 2 TD
Receiving
Jadon Janke
6 receptions, 151 yards, TD
vs. No. 2 Montana—NCAA Division I Championship Game
[17]
Statistics
MONT
SDSU
First downs
17
17
Total yards
259
363
Rushing yards
47
188
Passing yards
212
175
Turnovers
3
2
Time of possession
29:55
30:05
Team
Category
Player
Statistics
Montana
Passing
Clifton McDowell
22/39, 165 yards, INT
Rushing
Nick Ostmo
6 carries, 18 yards
Receiving
Aaron Fontes
7 receptions, 76 yards
South Dakota State
Passing
Mark Gronowski
13/21, 175 yards, TD, INT
Rushing
Isaiah Davis
16 carries, 87 yards, TD
Receiving
Jaxon Janke
4 receptions, 66 yards
Roster
References
^ "South Dakota State Jackrabbits Schedule 2023" . ESPN . Retrieved January 17, 2024 .
^ "2023 Football Schedule" . South Dakota State University Athletics. Retrieved January 17, 2024 .
^ "Jacks Roll to Win in Opener" . South Dakota State Athletics . August 31, 2023. Retrieved December 17, 2023 .
^ "Top-Ranked Jacks Outlast No. 3 MSU" . South Dakota State Athletics . September 9, 2023. Retrieved December 17, 2023 .
^ "Big Play Jacks Cruise Past Drake" . South Dakota State Athletics . September 16, 2023. Retrieved December 17, 2023 .
^ "Jackrabbits Push Past UND, 42-21" . South Dakota State Athletics . September 30, 2023. Retrieved December 17, 2023 .
^ "Jackrabbits Blitz Illinois State" . South Dakota State Athletics . October 7, 2023. Retrieved December 17, 2023 .
^ "No. 1 Jacks Stifle UNI" . South Dakota State Athletics . October 14, 2023. Retrieved December 17, 2023 .
^ "Jacks Win Battle of Ranked Teams at SIU" . South Dakota State Athletics . October 21, 2023. Retrieved December 17, 2023 .
^ "Jackrabbits Roll to Win at South Dakota" . South Dakota State Athletics . October 28, 2023. Retrieved December 17, 2023 .
^ "SDSU Retains Dakota Marker With 33-16 Victory" . South Dakota State Athletics . November 4, 2023. Retrieved December 17, 2023 .
^ "Jacks Blank YSU To Clinch Title" . South Dakota State Athletics . November 11, 2023. Retrieved December 17, 2023 .
^ "SDSU Caps Perfect Regular Season" . South Dakota State Athletics . November 18, 2023. Retrieved December 17, 2023 .
^ "Jackrabbits Stifle Mercer, 41-0" . South Dakota State Athletics . December 2, 2023. Retrieved December 17, 2023 .
^ "Jacks Overcome Elements, Villanova to Advance" . South Dakota State Athletics . December 9, 2023. Retrieved December 17, 2023 .
^ "Jacks Headed Back to Frisco After Shutout Win" . South Dakota State Athletics . December 15, 2023. Retrieved December 17, 2023 .
^ "South Dakota State repeats as FCS champs with 29th consecutive win, 23-3 over Montana" . Associated Press . January 7, 2024. Retrieved January 7, 2024 .
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This page was last edited on 15 May 2024, at 09:20