Rapid reaction: No. 1 South Dakota State 39, No. 4 Montana State 18

BROOKINGS, S.D. — Montana State’s path again to the nationwide championship sport hit a serious roadblock in a 39-18 FCS semifinal playoff loss at South Dakota State on a frigid Saturday at Dana J. Dykhouse Stadium.

SDSU stifled the Bobcats’ working sport and scored touchdowns on its first 5 possessions to finish Montana State’s season and advance to the title sport on Jan. 8 towards Missouri Valley Soccer Convention rival and nine-time FCS champion North Dakota State in Frisco, Texas.

The Bobcats pulled inside 7-6 on a 1-yard landing run by QB Sean Chambers within the first quarter, however Chambers suffered a decrease leg harm and didn’t return. The purpose-after try was botched and the Cats trailed all through.

The Jackrabbits took management with a barrage of touchdowns: a 1-yard run from quarterback Mark Gronowski, a 41-yard run by Isaiah Davis, a 38-yard run by Amar Johnson and a 5-yard cross from Gronowski to Johnson.

Montana State’s top-ranked speeding assault was restricted to 52 yards on 34 carries, a mean of 1.5 per rush. SDSU outgained the Bobcats in complete offense 473 to 281.

No. 1-seeded South Dakota State improved to 13-1 with the win. The fourth-seeded Bobcats completed their season with a 12-2 mark.

Turning level: SDSU’s Isaiah Davis, on his 41-yard landing run with 8:47 left within the second quarter, let go of the soccer as he crossed the airplane of the aim line and it rolled out of the again of the tip zone. The officers reviewed the play and deemed that Davis had broke the airplane earlier than dropping the ball and upheld the TD.

Video proof didn’t present a definitive angle, however had that decision gone the opposite manner, MSU would have gotten the ball again down 14-6 as a substitute of 21-6. The Jackrabbits maintained management.

Stat of the sport: The Bobcats got here in averaging 331.8 speeding yards per sport, tops within the FCS. Extremely, they had been restricted to 52 yards on the bottom towards the Jackrabbits, who got here in with the No. 1 rush protection within the nation (85.4 ypg). MSU’s speeding complete was 280 yards underneath its per-game common.

Bobcat sport balls: QB Tommy Mellott (offense). Pressured to cross way more than ordinary, Mellott threw for 174 yards whereas enduring hit after hit. Mellott scored on a 10-yard run within the fourth quarter to tug MSU inside 39-18. Mellott was injured on that play, although, and didn’t return.

PK Blake Glessner (particular groups). The dependable Glessner made subject targets of 36 and 37 yards. Glessner completed the season making 15 of his final 16 subject aim tries.

What’s subsequent: The Bobcats will head again to Bozeman to start the offseason. MSU gained a share of the Huge Sky Convention title in 2022 and has gained 25 video games in two seasons underneath coach Brent Vigen. The Cats can have their eyes on one other league title and deep playoff run in 2023.