UAlbany-South Dakota State and North Dakota State-Montana vie for FCS title

The FCS playoffs are down to the final four, and the two semifinal games will be played this weekend.

The semifinals start at 7 p.m. today as No. 1 South Dakota State hosts No. 5 UAlbany. At 4:30 p.m. on Saturday, No. 2 Montana hosts North Dakota State. ESPN2 will broadcast both games., and ABC will broadcast the championship game on Jan. 7.

UAlbany vs. South Dakota State

UAlbany started the season 1-2 but rebounded nicely and hasn’t lost since dropping a 38-31 decision to New Hampshire in October. The Great Danes (11-3) have won seven straight games since then, including wins over Richmond (41-13) and Idaho (30-22) in the playoffs.

SDSU (13-0) has won 27 straight games, dating back to its season opener last year. The Jackrabbits have beaten Mercer (41-0) and Villanova (23-12) to get to this point.

Albany’s stats to watch: Albany is averaging 30.4 points per game and allowing 17.2 while averaging 368.9 yards per game and 7.9 yards per play and allowing 306 per game and 4.6 per play.

Albany’s names to know: Griffin Woodell leads the rushing attack with 888 yards and eight touchdowns, and Reese Poffenbarger has thrown for 3,371 yards and 36 touchdowns with Brevin Easton pulling in 53 catches for 1,055 yards and 13 touchdowns. Dylan Kelly (155 total tackles) and Ori Jean-Charles (112) lead the defense.

SDSU’s stats to watch: South Dakota State is averaging 36.8 points per game while allowing just 10.5. It’s averaging 448.8 yards per game and 7.5 yards per play while allowing 253.9 yards per game and 4.5 yards per play.

SDSU’s names to know: Isaiah Davis has rushed 1,384 yards and 15 touchdowns, while Amar Johnson has added 717 yards. Quarterback Mark Gronowski has completed 67.8 percent of his passes for 2,618 yards and 25 touchdowns, with Jadon Janke (46 catches for 740 yards) and Jaxon Janke (45 for 730) as the two top receivers. And Jason Freeman paces the defense with 87 tackles.

North Dakota State vs. Montana

North Dakota State was 4-2 after a 49-24 loss to North Dakota in October, but the Bison (11-3) have gone 7-1 since, with the lone loss coming to South Dakota State. NDSU defeated Drake (66-3), Montana State (35-34) and South Dakota (45-17) to reach the semifinals.

Montana’s only loss came to Northern Arizona in September, and the Grizzlies (12-1) have won nine straight since, including wins over Delaware (49-19) and Furman (35-28) in the playoffs.

NDSU’s stats to watch: The Bison are averaging 38.8 points per game and allowing 19.1, and they are averaging 443.4 yards per game and 7.1 yards per play while allowing 303.9 yards per game and 5.5 yards per play.

NDSU’s names to know: TaMerik Williams (715 yards and eight touchdowns) and Cam Miller (645 yards and 13 touchdowns) lead the ground game, while Miller has thrown for 2,531 yards and 18 touchdowns. Cole Wisniewski (81 tackles) and Logan Kopp (80 tackles) anchor the defense.

Montana’s stats to watch: The Grizzlies are averaging 32.3 points per game and allowing 15.9 while averaging 390.5 yards per game and 5.6 yards per play and allowing 309.8 yards per game and 4.7 yards per play.

Montana’s names to know: Eli Gillman has rushed for 901 yards and 10 touchdowns, and Clifton McDowell and Nick Ostmo have nine and eight rushing touchdowns, respectively. McDowell has thrown for 1,701 yards and 12 touchdowns with Keelan White, Junior Bergen and Aaron Fontes combining for 134 catches, 1,963 yards and 13 touchdowns. Braxton leads the defense with 106 tackles.

(Photo: Courtesy of Montana Athletics)