South Dakota

Zimmer: UNI's bye week adjustments had no chance of slowing down South Dakota State

Published

1 year ago

October 6, 2024

Zimmer: UNI's bye week adjustments had no chance of slowing down South Dakota State

CEDAR FALLS, Iowa — Northern Iowa coach Mark Farley has been in charge of the Panthers since 2001. He’s taken them to 13 FCS playoff tournaments and seven conference championships in that time, and entering Saturday’s tilt with No. 1 defending national champion South Dakota State, one Farley state that felt particularly relevant was this one: In home games coming off of a bye week, Farley’s teams were 10-0. Overall, 17-5 after a bye.

Some stats are more coincidental or incidental than they are cause for concern, but there have been times throughout the SDSU/UNI rivalry that Farley, to his credit, has come up with a schematic wrinkle or two that have thrown the Jacks for a loop and contributed to an SDSU defeat.

Perhaps Panther fans felt good about their team’s chances, too. A crowd of 12,611 was on hand — the biggest UNI-Dome crowd since 2017.

Most of them were gone by the start of the fourth quarter though, as Farley had no answers for the Rabbits in Saturday’s Missouri Valley Football Conference opener for both teams.

SDSU players said they were prepared for something unexpected — a schematic adjustment here, a personnel change there — but it never really came. No, the Panthers decided to just be the same team that came in 2-2 with a pair of wins over non-scholarship Pioneer League teams and a pair of losses to FBS teams.

As it turned out, maybe they should’ve tried some sleight of hand.

“We were kind of relieved to see they wanted to be who they were this year,” said linebacker Adam Bock. “They stuck with what they’ve been doing. We’re always prepared for something but it’s nice to have a mindset of (what to expect) going into a game and then have that come to fruition.”

South Dakota State’s Angel Johnson signals a first down following a rushing play during a college football game on Saturday, Oct. 5, 2024 at the UNI-Dome in Cedar Falls, Iowa.

Marcus Traxler / Mitchell Republic

The Jackrabbits pounded the Panthers 41-3, and they punished them as much physically as they did on the scoreboard.

UNI (2-3) managed just 66 rushing yards in the game (they came in averaging 202) and committed four turnovers. They also thought about going for it on a first-half fourth down, called a timeout to think about it, decided to punt and saw the Jacks block the punt and return it for a back-breaking touchdown.

The SDSU offense, meanwhile, rolled up 390 yards behind quarterback Mark Gronowski’s best game of the season, and they hardly broke a sweat doing it, thanks in large part to the defense giving them short fields and never letting the Panthers get anything going in the way of momentum.

100524 SDSU UNI Wilde catch.JPG — South Dakota State’s Griffin Wilde reaches up to make a catch during a college football game on Saturday, Oct. 5, 2024 at the UNI-Dome in Cedar Falls, Iowa.

This was a rout in every sense, and that it came against a quality conference foe, on the road, only speaks to how good the Jacks are, even as they still seem to be finding their footing in a bid for a third straight national championship.

“Playing in this building I was kind of expecting a dogfight,” said Gronowski, who went 16-of-22 for 223 yards and three touchdown passes. “We knew we had to start fast to try to take the air out of the stadium quick.”

It didn’t happen right away. The Jacks (4-1) went 3-and-out on their opening series and led just 7-0 after a quarter. It was 10-0 in the second when Farley mulled over a 4th down conversion attempt, and the hesitation opened the door for the biggest play of the game.

100524 SDSU UNI 99 78.JPG — South Dakota State’s Dawson Ripperda rushes the passer around Northern Iowa right tackle Tristan Roper during a college football game on Saturday, Oct. 5, 2024 at the UNI-Dome in Cedar Falls, Iowa.

“We had a gameplan (for a blocked punt) all week,” said Noah Thompson, a sophomore safety from Brandon who scooped up the blocked kick and ran it in 50 yards for his first career touchdown to make it 17-0. “We had a ’23’ call where Cullen (McShane) and I are coming from both sides. Brody Gormley blew up the shield and Cullen dove in and blocked it and I just picked it up and took it to the house. When they were second-guessing themselves there we knew we had ’em. We were already playing well and that kind of killed ’em right there.”

Only moments later a strip-sack by Jarod DePriest gave the Jacks a short field and Chase Mason’s touchdown run made it 24-0. It was pretty much over at that point, but the SDSU defense did not let up, extending their streak of consecutive games without allowing a touchdown to three. Since their 24-3 win over Division II Augustana the Jacks have sandwiched wins of 41-0 and 41-3 around their bye week.

“We spent a lot of time together during the bye week, whether it was outside of football, hanging out with each other, but on the field, too,” said Gronowski, whose team has won 31 in a row against FCS teams. “We were out there for 30 minutes after every practice getting routs and talking through some different things and even having meetings with the receivers to get everyone on the same page, and it seemed like we were today.”

Matt Zimmer is a Sioux Falls native and longtime sports writer. He graduated from Washington High School where he played football, legion baseball and developed his lifelong love of the Minnesota Twins and Vikings. After graduating from St. Cloud State University, he returned to Sioux Falls, and began a long career in amateur baseball and sports reporting. Email Matt at mzimmer@siouxfallslive.com.

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South Dakota

SD Lottery Powerball, Lotto America winning numbers for March 2, 2026

Published

2 hours ago

March 3, 2026

Press Room

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

Here’s a look at March 2, 2026, results for each game:

Winning Powerball numbers from March 2 drawing

02-17-18-38-62, Powerball: 20, Power Play: 2

Check Powerball payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Lotto America numbers from March 2 drawing

03-08-17-24-34, Star Ball: 06, ASB: 02

Check Lotto America payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Millionaire for Life numbers from March 2 drawing

28-41-42-50-55, Bonus: 02

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

How South Dakota officials have reacted to ‘massive’ US attack on Iran

Published

14 hours ago

March 2, 2026

Press Room

How South Dakota officials have reacted to ‘massive’ US attack on Iran

South Dakota’s Congressional leaders are praising President Donald Trump for his action of joining Israel for a missile-launched attack this weekend in Iran, with the intent to target and dismantle Iran’s nuclear capabilities and demand regime change.

“Our objective is to defend the American people by eliminating imminent threats from the Iranian regime, a vicious group of very hard, terrible people,” Trump said Saturday, Feb. 28, calling the strikes, “a massive and ongoing operation.”

Trump has since faced scrutiny for a lack of clarity about the timeline and overall goals of the war, and acting without the direct approval of Congress, which has the power to officially declare war for the U.S. Lawmakers are also in heated debate about whether the Trump’s decision may violate the Constitution, with Democrats calling for a war powers resolution vote to stop the effort, according to multiple military outlets.

Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, Iran’s supreme leader, was directly targeted, a Middle Eastern official told USA TODAY. Khamenei was killed in the attacks on Feb. 28, according to Israeli sources who told USA TODAY, CNN and Reuters. He was 86 and had led Iran since 1989.

Iran retaliated with drone and missile strikes, hitting American and Israeli targets, including a U.S. Naval base in Bahrain. Iran said its enemies would be “decisively defeated.”

At least four Americans and an estimated 200 other individuals have been killed, and an estimated 700 injured as of March 2.

President Trump said he expects more to come.

Here’s what South Dakota Congressional leaders, along with former South Dakota Gov. Kristi Noem, who now sits at the helm of the Department of Homeland Security as secretary, have to say about what has been named by the administration as Operation Epic Fury.

U.S. Senate Majority Leader John Thune

“For years, Iran’s relentless nuclear ambitions, its expanded ballistic missile inventory and its unwavering support for terror groups in the region have posed a clear and unacceptable threat to U.S. servicemembers, citizens in the region, and many of our allies,” said Thune, a Republican, the morning of Feb. 28 in a comment from his office.

“Despite the dogged efforts of the president and his administration, the Iranian regime has refused the diplomatic off-ramps that would peacefully resolve these national security concerns. I commend President Trump for taking action to thwart these threats,” Thune said, thanking Secretary Rubio for providing updates on these issues throughout the week.

“I look forward to administration officials briefing all senators about these military operations,” he said. “I commend the bravery of the servicemembers carrying out these operations and pray for the safety of those in harm’s way.”

U.S. Sen. Mike Rounds

Rounds, a Republican, said Trump took “the right course of action” when handling the strike.

Rounds later congratulated the United States military and Trump on the death of the Iranian leader, stating the moment “offers a path for a more peaceful Middle East.”

U.S. Rep. Dusty Johnson

Johnson, a Republican and the lone U.S. representative for South Dakota, stated the Iranian regime “is full of theocratic thugs and is the world’s largest state sponsor of terror.” He said Trump had given multiple opportunities to change direction.

“I’m praying for the safety of America’s servicemembers, and our allies involved in Operation Epic Fury,” Johnson stated on social media.

DHS Secretary Kristi Noem

Noem, who left her governorship after she was appointed secretary at the beginning of Trump’s current term, took to social media as well, stating she was actively monitoring any potential threats against America.

“I am in direct coordination with our federal intelligence and law enforcement partners,” she said.

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South Dakota

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

Published

1 day 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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