South Dakota

South Dakota State repeats as FCS champs with 29th consecutive win, 23-3 over Montana

Published

2 years ago

January 7, 2024

South Dakota State repeats as FCS champs with 29th consecutive win, 23-3 over Montana

FRISCO, Texas (AP) — South Dakota State never bought into all the hype as defending FCS national champions. With standout quarterback Mark Gronowski and a stifling defense, the Jackrabbits just went out and won another title.

“That first one was … really, really sweet, just because it was that first one,” said Gronowski, who started his third Football Championship Subdivision title game. “We got to see the other team do it three years ago and be up on that stage where we weren’t, so I think that’s part of the thing that makes this whole thing so much sweeter.”

Gronowski ran for a touchdown and threw for another after halftime as SDSU repeated as champions with a 23-3 win over Montana on Sunday. The Jackrabbits have won 29 games in a row, including over North Dakota State last year for their first national title.

“With as much hype surrounding this football program, we never paid much attention to it. We stayed consistent. We worked extremely hard week in and week out, and this is the result,” said Jimmy Rogers, the first-year head coach with a 15-0 record after being South Dakota State’s defensive coordinator last season.

SDSU linebacker Adam Boch stuffed running back Eli Gillman for no gain on fourth-and-goal from the 1 on Montana’s opening drive. SDSU allowed only 273 total yards, had five sacks and wrapped up a four-game playoff run in which it allowed only 15 points and had two shutouts.

“Best defense in FCS history,” Rogers said. “I’m proud of that, proud of this football team, proud to go back-to-back.”

South Dakota State had an impressive game-opening drive, but led only 7-3 at halftime. Gronowski then bulled into the end zone for a 10-yard score midway through the third quarter, and on the next possession threw a 23-yard TD to Jadon Janke.

Gronowski was 13-of-21 passing for 175 yards and ran eight times for 62 yards to join Carson Wentz and Brock Jensen, quarterbacks who won multiple championships with North Dakota State, as the only players selected as most outstanding player in consecutive FCS title games. Gronowski was a true freshman when he tore his left ACL on the opening series of the unusual May 2021 title game the Jackrabbits lost at the end of a pandemic-affected season.

“They have a heck of a leader back there. And he makes them go for sure,” Montana linebacker Braxton Hill said.

Montana’s 27 playoff appearances are the most in the second tier of Division I football. National champions in 1995 and 2001, the Grizzlies (13-2) have now finished as the runner-up six times, four under coach Bobby Hauck.

This was the Grizzlies’ first title game since 2009, when they were runner-ups for the third time in Hauck’s first seven seasons. Hauck then left for FBS team UNLV and also was on staff at San Diego State before returning to Montana in 2018.

Less than two weeks after South Dakota State was crowned champions last year, John Stiegelmeier retired after 26 seasons as head coach. He was succeeded by Rogers, a former Jackrabbits linebacker who was captain of their first playoff team in 2009 — when they lost to Montana after blowing a 27-point lead.

Both teams had only one possession in the first quarter Sunday. Montana’s opening drive spilled into the first play of the second quarter, when Boch had the big fourth-down stop.

South Dakota State had opened the game with a 75-play, 11-play drive. Gronowski completed his first five passes for 55 yards and converted a third-and-4 with a 9-yard keeper right before Isaiah Davis’ 6-yard TD run.

“The fourth down stop was a big play in the game,” Hauck said. “They’re just a big, physical senior-oriented team and they do a nice job.”

THE TAKEAWAY

Montana: Playmaking quarterback Clifton McDowell, who had been 11-0 as the Griz starter, was under increased pressure, especially after halftime. He completed 22 of 39 passes for 165 yards, but was sacked four times. After he was stripped of the ball when being sacked late in the third quarter, 295-yard defensive tackle Ryan Van Marel came up with the ball.

South Dakota State: The Jackrabbits became the first team since North Dakota State (2017-19) to repeat as champions.

UP NEXT

Montana: The Big Sky champion Grizzlies take on one of SDSU’s Missouri Valley Conference rivals in their 2024 opener. They host Missouri State on Aug. 31.

South Dakota State: The Jackrabbits open next season on the road Aug. 31 at Big 12 team Oklahoma State, the first major conference team they will play since a 7-3 loss at Iowa of the Big Ten in the 2022 opener that was their last loss.

___

AP college football: https://apnews.com/hub/ap-top-25-college-football-poll and https://apnews.com/hub/college-football

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South Dakota

SD Lottery Millionaire for Life winning numbers for March 1, 2026

Published

11 hours ago

March 2, 2026

Press Room

The South Dakota Lottery offers multiple draw games for those aiming to win big.

Here’s a look at March 1, 2026, results for each game:

Winning Millionaire for Life numbers from March 1 drawing

10-11-12-35-56, Bonus: 04

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.

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South Dakota

South Dakota High School Students Showcase Culinary Skills – Harrisburg Today

Published

23 hours ago

March 1, 2026

Press Room

South Dakota High School Students Showcase Culinary Skills – Harrisburg Today

Published on Mar. 1, 2026

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

The South Dakota ProStart® Invitational is an annual culinary competition where high school students from across the state showcase their cooking and restaurant management skills. This year, 12 schools will send a total of 60 talented students to Pierre to compete in events like cake decorating, culinary arts, and restaurant management. Winners will receive scholarships and the opportunity to advance to the National ProStart® Invitational in Baltimore, Maryland.

Why it matters

The ProStart® program is an important investment in developing South Dakota’s future culinary and hospitality industry leaders. By providing high school students with hands-on experience and the chance to compete at the state and national levels, the program helps cultivate the next generation of skilled chefs, restaurateurs, and food service professionals.

The details

The South Dakota ProStart® Invitational will take place on March 9-10, 2026 in Pierre. The competition kicks off on Monday, March 9th at 2:00 PM with a cake decorating contest. The more intense culinary arts and restaurant management competitions will be held on Tuesday, March 10th starting at 8:45 AM. Students will be judged on their technical skills, creativity, and business acumen as they compete for scholarships and a spot at the national competition.

The South Dakota ProStart® Invitational will take place on March 9-10, 2026.
The cake decorating competition will be held on Monday, March 9th at 2:00 PM.
The culinary arts and restaurant management competitions will take place on Tuesday, March 10th starting at 8:45 AM.

The players

Nathan Sanderson

Executive Director of the South Dakota Retailers Association, which administers the ProStart® program.

Florence

One of the 12 high schools sending students to compete in the South Dakota ProStart® Invitational.

Harrisburg

One of the 12 high schools sending students to compete in the South Dakota ProStart® Invitational.

Huron

One of the 12 high schools sending students to compete in the South Dakota ProStart® Invitational.

Mitchell CTE

One of the 12 high schools sending students to compete in the South Dakota ProStart® Invitational.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“ProStart® is an excellent way for us to invest in South Dakota’s future industry leaders. Our students are highly skilled and graduate workplace ready.”

— Nathan Sanderson, Executive Director of the South Dakota Retailers Association (b1027.com)

What’s next

The winners of the South Dakota ProStart® Invitational will advance to the National ProStart® Invitational in Baltimore, Maryland, where they will represent the state on a national stage.

The takeaway

The South Dakota ProStart® Invitational is a valuable program that helps cultivate the next generation of culinary and hospitality professionals in the state, providing high school students with hands-on experience, scholarships, and the opportunity to showcase their skills at the national level.

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South Dakota

3 takeaways from South Dakota State basketball’s revenge win over USD

Published

1 day ago

March 1, 2026

Press Room

3 takeaways from South Dakota State basketball’s revenge win over USD

BROOKINGS — The South Dakota State women’s basketball team got some payback on its in-state rival, knocking off South Dakota 82-49 in both teams’ final game of the regular season.

Here’s a few reasons the Jackrabbits got their get back.

Meyer with one final home masterpiece

The Senior Day festivities before the game clearly didn’t phase the South Dakota State seniors, especially star forward Brooklyn Meyer. She dominated from the first possession, scoring 12 points on 6-of-7 shooting in the first 10 minutes.

That start helped the Jackrabbits get out to a 27-8 lead through a quarter and basically put this thing on ice before it even got started.

Meyer was able to get post-up opportunities by flashing from the opposite block and spinning in front of the Coyote defenders, catching the ball in the mid-post and choosing to either attack with a post move or face and attack.

The senior also cut from elbow to block well, especially as she became the screener in the pick-and-roll more frequently.

Meyer added eight points in both the second and third quarters, and five in the fourth to close her career at First Bank & Trust Arena with a 33-point effort on 13-for-17 shooting.

Size proves to be an issue

This one encompasses both sides of the ball, as the Coyotes struggled mightily to handle South Dakota State’s size on either end of the floor.

Molly Joyce was the only South Dakota player to consistently find success, but that started way too late. Point guard Angelina Robles was constantly harassed and never got enough free space to work her magic, and the Coyotes eventually turned to contested jumpers as a way to get shots on the rim.

Joyce closed the game with 21 points for South Dakota, and Robles ended with 11.

It was the same defensive model North Dakota State used to great success, but the Jackrabbits kept the ‘Yotes in front for the most part and didn’t allow much deep dribble penetration.

South Dakota State’s length showed itself in a non-traditional way offensively, with the guards able to get their shots off frequently and in rhythm. The South Dakota guards tried to be active and available defensively, but the quick triggers didn’t let them be effective.

Meyer and Brooklyn Felchle also had a size advantage down low that helped a lot, and that showed itself in a more traditional sense. The duo got their shots up over smaller defenders, rebounded hard and disrupted shots in the paint.

Fox continues to ascend

Emilee Fox’s emergence for South Dakota State has come with this current seven-game winning streak. The sophomore has embraced her role as point guard, which coincidentally has increased her scoring output.

Fox ripped off four more 3-pointers, on only seven attempts, and dished out four assists, too.

Fox and Hadley Thul were tonight’s big-time contributors from deep on a night when Maddie Mathiowetz was particularly cold.

The sophomore point guard has added an element to this offense that it had needed in Summit League play, and the Jackrabbits might now be peaking at just the right time.

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