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South Dakota State football vs. Montana: preview, prediction for FCS national championship game

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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.

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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.

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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

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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.

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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.

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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





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SD Lottery Mega Millions, Millionaire for Life winning numbers for March 10, 2026

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

Here’s a look at March 10, 2026, results for each game:

Winning Mega Millions numbers from March 10 drawing

16-21-30-35-65, Mega Ball: 07

Check Mega Millions payouts and previous drawings here.

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Winning Millionaire for Life numbers from March 10 drawing

03-27-43-45-49, 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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Trading property tax for sales tax: Legislature moves forward with parts of homeowner relief package

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Trading property tax for sales tax: Legislature moves forward with parts of homeowner relief package


PIERRE — Two pieces of a property tax reduction package prepared by South Dakota’s legislative leadership and the executive branch are moving forward, but one bill failed during votes on Monday as lawmakers began the final week of the annual legislative session.

The House of Representatives voted

42-27

in support of

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Senate Bill 245

, which would pull future revenue from a scheduled sales tax increase from 4.2% to 4.5% next year into a relief fund for homeowner property taxes, and use nearly $56 million in one-time money to seed the fund before the sales tax increase.

The Senate supported

House Bill 1323

, which would reduce the number of petition signatures needed to force an election on a local government’s decision to levy property taxes beyond limits set by the state. The Senate passed the bill 19-15.

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Both bills have to return to the opposite chamber for consideration of amendments.

The Senate rejected

House Bill 1253

, which would cap annual assessment growth for owner-occupied homes and commercial properties at 5% annually and reset assessments back to market value every five years. The bill failed with a 9-24 vote.

The bills are part of a broader,

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five-bill legislative package

targeted at property tax relief.

Another bill

in the package, which would allow counties to implement a half-percent sales tax with proceeds going to homeowner property tax credits, is awaiting the governor’s signature after he proposed it and it received both chambers’ approval.

The legislative budget committee is scheduled to consider a fifth piece of legislation in the package on Tuesday.

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The bill

would reduce maximum property tax levies for school districts.

Sales tax bill overcomes concerns about future budget needs

SB 245 would capture revenue from the impending sales tax increase to deposit into a “homeowner property tax reduction fund” meant to reduce property taxes levied by school districts. The Legislature and then-Gov. Kristi Noem reduced the state sales tax rate three years ago but scheduled the reduction to sunset in 2027.

House Speaker Jon Hansen, R-Dell Rapids, told lawmakers on Monday that the bill would be an “investment in the people,” because it’ll give South Dakota homeowners more money to spend as they choose. Hansen, the bill’s sponsor and a candidate for governor, said that would lead to more spending and, therefore, more sales tax revenue. The state relies on sales taxes, while counties and schools rely on property taxes, and cities receive revenue from property taxes and sales taxes.

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Some opponents said the legislation would favor wealthier, property-owning South Dakotans rather than lower-income renters.

Rep. Mike Weisgram, R-Fort Pierre, speaks on the House floor at the Capitol in Pierre on March 9, 2026.

(Photo by Makenzie Huber/South Dakota Searchlight)

Rep. Mike Weisgram, R-Fort Pierre, worried that automatically diverting future state revenue to reduce homeowner property taxes would come at the cost of other priorities, such as annual funding increases for state employees, Medicaid providers and public schools — which are known as the “big three” budget priorities. Lawmakers often

aim

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to increase funding for the groups by 3% or inflation, whichever is less. An inflationary increase this legislative session would be 2.5%, according to the state Department of Education.

“We are just clawing to get 1.4% for the big three,” Weisgram said. “I don’t think any of us are proud of that.”

Hansen said the decision “is not an either-or” situation.

“We can help the property taxpayers in the state who desperately, desperately need it,” Hansen said, “and then I trust fully that this state is going to continue to grow and that we are going to be able to meet the needs of our core obligations of this state.”

The bill was introduced as an amendment to placeholder legislation last week, and it will head to the Senate for approval. The Senate narrowly rejected a

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similar proposal

earlier this legislative session.

Senate approves lower signature threshold to force election on excess taxes

The version of House Bill 1323 that passed the Senate would set the number of petition signatures needed to force an election on an excess tax levy (often called an “opt-out”) for a local government at 2,500 or 5% of registered voters within its jurisdiction, whichever is less. The current threshold to refer decisions by a local government is 5% of registered voters in the district, without a 2,500 signature cap.

The bill’s sponsor, Sen. Taffy Howard, R-Rapid City, said it will still be difficult to refer decisions by a local government to voters.

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“You’re talking dozens and dozens of volunteers, weeks of organized effort,” Howard said. “There’s not a lot of people that have been through that and can even organize that kind of effort. So it’s not a trivial bar.”

Because the bill was amended since it last appeared in the House, it’ll now go to the House for approval.

HB 1253 intended to provide South Dakota homeowners and commercial property owners predictable increases in their property assessments, which factor into property taxes they pay, over five year periods.

But opponents said the change would shift the property tax burden onto farmers and ranchers and surprise homeowners every five years when assessments would be re-based on market value, which could lead to double-digit increases in assessments.

This story was originally published on

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SouthDakotaSearchlight.com.

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Political Pulse: South Dakota Senate Majority Leader Jim Mehlhaff on data centers, property taxes and more

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Political Pulse: South Dakota Senate Majority Leader Jim Mehlhaff on data centers, property taxes and more


RAPID CITY, S.D. (KOTA) – State Senate Majority Leader Jim Mehlhaff joined Political Pulse over the weekend.

Mehlhaff weighed in on property tax proposals, data centers, and effort to repeal the death penalty and speculation that Kristi Noem could run for Senate.

The interviewed was taped on Saturday.

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