South Dakota
South Dakota State football vs. Montana: preview, prediction for FCS national championship game
When South Dakota State’s seniors take the field at Toyota Stadium for the FCS national championship game against Montana on Sunday, they’ll take a moment to soak it all in.
The Jackrabbits are led by a group of sixth-year seniors who will be playing their final game in an SDSU jersey with a chance to win the program’s second consecutive national title.
“We’re blessed to be in this position, and we just want to take it in and absorb (it),” South Dakota State offensive lineman Mason McCormick said. “For me and some other guys, this is kind of our last hurrah, so we just want to take it all in.”
Knowing what to expect during the trip to Frisco is an advantage. The Jackrabbits will likely feel more comfortable playing on the biggest stage in the FCS since they’ve been there twice in the past two years. Montana has not made it to the title game since 2009.
More: What to know about the Montana Grizzlies, South Dakota State football’s FCS title game opponent
But Jimmy Rogers will be making his first trip to Frisco as SDSU’s head coach. He was the associate head coach and defensive coordinator last season.
“It’s a special moment to look at and take the time to reflect that it is my first year, but I didn’t get in coaching to make it about myself,” Rogers. “My emotions stem from the experiences that our players have, and I’m blessed to be the head coach here and blessed to coach this team with the roster that’s in place.”
Montana is enjoying its own magical season, going 13-1 en route to its first national championship game appearance since 2009. The Griz have scored more than 30 points in each playoff game and won their last two in overtime. They’ll be playing for their third national title on Sunday in their eighth appearance in the championship game. The program is undefeated against the Jackrabbits in eight matchups. Montana knocked South Dakota State out of the playoffs the last time the two sides met back in 2015.
Here’s the tale of the tape between South Dakota State and Montana before Sunday’s national championship game:
SDSU (14-0, 8-0) vs Montana (13-1, 7-1)
When: Sunday, Jan. 7
Where: Frisco, Texas
TV/Radio: ABC, ESPN+/Jackrabbit Sports Network
What’s at stake?: History.
The Jackrabbits have accumulated the most talent, certainly in program history but maybe in FCS history, on their roster this season and have had the most successful season in program history. They went undefeated in the regular season for the first time and have won 28 consecutive games entering Sunday’s matchup with Montana.
A national championship would be the cherry on top of a perfect season for South Dakota State.
More: 5 numbers to know for the FCS title game between South Dakota State football and Montana
Who’s better?: South Dakota State. While Montana has looked impressive in the playoffs, their offense was largely mediocre in the regular season. They ranked 21 in rushing offense and are outside the top 50 in passing.
Where the Griz shine is on defense. They rank fifth in scoring defense, seventh in interceptions, 12th in rushing defense and 13th in sacks.
But the Jackrabbits are better on that end too.
SDSU ranks first in scoring defense, total defense, tackles for a loss, red zone defense and second in interceptions and rushing defense.
Matchup to watch: The matchup to watch in this one is the battle in the trenches between the South Dakota State offensive line and the Montana defensive line.
Similar to Villanova, the Griz’s defensive line plays an aggressive style with a lot of shifting to create mayhem at the line of scrimmage. That approach has worked for them thus far.
Montana ranked 13th in sacks with 34, led by edge rusher Riley Wilson who has 8.5 sacks and 14 tackles for a loss.
SDSU wins if: They’re able to execute at the same level we’ve seen all season long. SDSU has proven to be the top team in all the FCS, and they’ve been here before. That experience should help them settle any nerves before such a big game.
Prediction: SDSU, 28-14. The Jacks go back-to-back.
Jonathan Fernandez covers high school and college sports for the Argus Leader. Contact him at jfernandez1@argusleader.com. Follow him on Twitter at @JFERN31
South Dakota
South Dakota: GFP Commission modifies bounty program – focuses on youth trapping and coyote removal
The South Dakota Game, Fish and Parks (GFP) Commission passed a resolution to end the current Nest Predator Bounty Program at their March meeting in Pierre and create two separate programs within the existing budget and time period.The Nest Predator Bounty Program began in 2019 with the implementation of the Second Century Initiative. This reinvigorated trapping as an outdoor recreational opportunity and a means to get youth engaged and spend more time outdoors.
Data collected from the program shows that the level of youth participation over the past 4 years has exceeded 30%. In 2024 and 2025, youth participation reached 46%.”The Nest Predator Bounty Program has been incredibly successful at engaging youth in wildlife management and our tradition of trapping in South Dakota,” said Kevin Robling, GFP Secretary.
In total, 342,743 nest predators were removed since the program’s inception.”Intense nest predator removal in localized areas during the nesting season can contribute to higher nest success and we encourage individuals to continue to participate in this management activity,” continued Robling. “In 2026, we are going to focus on continuing to get youth outdoors and addressing our coyote population.”
As part of this focus, the current Nest Predator Bounty Program is ending. The allocated $500,000 for this program will be split into two separate programs: the Youth Trapping Recruitment Program and the Coyote Bounty Program.
Youth Trapping Recruitment Program
The Youth Trapping Recruitment Program will be open for South Dakota youth age 17 and under. Tails from raccoon, striped skunk, badger, opossum, and red fox will be worth $10.The program will run from March 1-July 1, unless the $200,000 limit is reached first.”Youth recruitment and retention in trapping and wildlife management is a key component of this program,” said Robling. “We are thrilled with the amount of youth participation we have seen, so we want to continue this momentum.”
Coyote Bounty Program
The Coyote Bounty Program will be open for all South Dakota residents. Tails from coyotes will be worth $30.The program will run from April 1-July 1, unless the $300,000 limit is reached first.”Controlling the coyote population is critical for both our agricultural industry and wildlife populations,” stated Robling. “The newly created Coyote Bounty Program will assist in the management of these predators to help protect newborn calves and lambs for agricultural producers and enhance fawn survival for deer and antelope.”
Tail Submission Opportunities
Individuals wishing to participate in either of these programs may submit tails to their local GFP office during designated tail turn in opportunities. Households are eligible to submit up to $590 worth of tails in each program.
–South Dakota Game, Fish and Parks
South Dakota
SD Lottery Millionaire for Life winning numbers for March 5, 2026
The South Dakota Lottery offers multiple draw games for those aiming to win big.
Here’s a look at March 5, 2026, results for each game:
Winning Millionaire for Life numbers from March 5 drawing
17-20-23-30-33, Bonus: 05
Check Millionaire for Life payouts and previous drawings here.
Feeling lucky? Explore the latest lottery news & results
Are you a winner? Here’s how to claim your prize
- Prizes of $100 or less: Can be claimed at any South Dakota Lottery retailer.
- Prizes of $101 or more: Must be claimed from the Lottery. By mail, send a claim form and a signed winning ticket to the Lottery at 711 E. Wells Avenue, Pierre, SD 57501.
- Any jackpot-winning ticket for Dakota Cash or Lotto America, top prize-winning ticket for Lucky for Life, or for the second prizes for Powerball and Mega Millions must be presented in person at a Lottery office. A jackpot-winning Powerball or Mega Millions ticket must be presented in person at the Lottery office in Pierre.
When are the South Dakota Lottery drawings held?
- Powerball: 9:59 p.m. CT on Monday, Wednesday, and Saturday.
- Mega Millions: 10 p.m. CT on Tuesday and Friday.
- Lucky for Life: 9:38 p.m. CT daily.
- Lotto America: 9:15 p.m. CT on Monday, Wednesday and Saturday.
- Dakota Cash: 9 p.m. CT on Wednesday and Saturday.
- Millionaire for Life: 10:15 p.m. CT daily.
This results page was generated automatically using information from TinBu and a template written and reviewed by a South Dakota editor. You can send feedback using this form.
South Dakota
DOE selects nine school districts for 2026 South Dakota Perkins Reserve grant
SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (Dakota News Now) – Nine school districts have been selected as recipients of the 2026 Perkins Reserve Grant by the South Dakota Department of Education.
The grant provides major equipment upgrades for Career and Technical Education programs, helping to equip students with the skills and experiences needed for post-secondary education and the workforce.
“CTE programs are constantly evolving to match the pace of workforce needs,” said Secretary of Education Dr. Joseph Graves.
“The South Dakota Perkins Reserve Grant aids schools in equipping students with current technologies, resources, and tools, offering students a realistic, hands-on learning experience that will strengthen their marketability to colleges or employers once they leave the K-12 education system.”
The following school districts have been named as the 2026 recipients:
- Aberdeen School District:
- Awarded $30,233 for new precision machine equipment for the manufacturing program.
- De Smet School District:
- Awarded $15,898 for modernizing metal fabrication within agriculture programs.
- Lake Preston School District:
- Awarded $43,160 for expansion of program offers in multiple career clusters to strengthen industrial alignment.
- McLaughlin School District:
- Awarded $11,997 to purchase equipment to offer a new culinary arts program.
- Menno School District:
- Awarded $32,844 to purchase small engines and attend professional development opportunities to enhance the agricultural mechanics program.
- Mitchell School District:
- Awarded $38,663 for the modernization of the automotive technology lab.
- Timber Lake School District:
- Awarded $42,400 for the expansion of agriculture course offerings to strengthen industry alignment.
- Wakpala School District:
- Awarded $40,145 to purchase a skid steer simulator to enhance the agriculture and construction program.
- Wolsey-Wessington School District:
- Awarded $26,201 to purchase industry-aligned equipment to enhance the agriculture and construction program.
You can learn more about the South Dakota Perkins Reserve Grant at doe.sd.gov.
Copyright 2026 Dakota News Now. All rights reserved.
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