Montana
Zimmer: Playoffs bring out best in Gronowski as Jacks roll past Montana
BROOKINGS — You could say Mark Gronowski hasn’t quite been the same quarterback this year he was in leading South Dakota State to back-to-back FCS national championships in 2022 and 2023.
Plenty of people have.
And the statistics are down a tad this year.
But in Saturday’s playoff opener for the Jackrabbits in the second round against Montana, the reigning Walter Payton Award winner delivered a performance that should silence and maybe even embarrass anyone who’s been down on the senior signal-caller.
In leading SDSU to a 35-18 win over the Grizzlies that wasn’t nearly that close (it was 35-3 when Gronowski was given the rest of the day off), ‘Captain 11’ completed eight of his first nine throws, two for touchdowns, and finished 12-of-16 for 151 yards and four total touchdowns as the Jacks advanced to the quarterfinal round, where they’ll host Incarnate Word. He even caught a 21-yard pass from H-back Kevin Brenner that should’ve been ruled a touchdown (he was ruled down at the 1-yard line).
Maybe those numbers don’t jump off the page, but in person Gronowski couldn’t have been much more impressive. His passes were on time, on target and had the kind of heat on them that close observers have noticed Gronowski putting on his best throws since the summer.
“Everything was clicking,” Gronowski said. “I was seeing things well and the O-line was giving me time back there, so I was able to make those reads and Griffin was making the plays.”
That would be Griffin Wilde, the second-year wideout who spent last year behind the Janke twins and this year was thrust into the role of No. 1 on the depth chart and on opposing secondary’s scouting reports. The former Sioux Falls Jefferson standout had six catches for over 100 yards and two touchdowns in the first half alone, finishing the day with seven receptions for 114 yards. For the season he now has 63 catches for 1,014 yards and 10 touchdowns.
Marcus Traxler / Mitchell Republic
But Wilde wasn’t the only face in a new role this year. New starters on the O-line, a new offensive coordinator, no Isaiah Davis or Zach Heins — the continuity of the previous years wasn’t there back in September, so was it really that surprising that Gronowski and the offense (particularly the passing game) had some hiccups along the way?
There was a 24-3 win over Augustana in which he threw for just 141 yards on 27 attempts with two picks, and a week later he was 7-of-17 for 65 yards and an interception (though they won that game 41-0). Four games into the season, Gronowski had thrown five interceptions, equaling his total for all of 2023.
He’s thrown just one in the nine games since.
“It just takes time to work with a different set of people and that’s what he’s done,” said coach Jimmy Rogers. “He was really sharp today and made a ton of huge plays and threw the ball really accurately. Our O-line gave him time to throw and those wide receivers came down with the ball. I’m excited about how he’s progressed with the group of players he’s been working with.”

Marcus Traxler / Mitchell Republic
That goes for Wilde and running backs Amar Johnson and Angel Johnson, all three of whom had some mini-slumps midseason but are firing on all cylinders now.
If the Jacks didn’t look much like the team that went 15-0 last year without being seriously tested, they’re starting to now.
“That team last year was just better than everyone else,” said Montana coach Bobby Hauck. “But (this team) is finding ways to win. They’re finding yards.”
Hauck didn’t sound too disappointed in how his defense played. They played hard. They were in position. They just had trouble containing SDSU’s elite athletes, and slowing down a quarterback who once again looks like one of the best players in the nation.
“He’s a good quarterback,” said Grizzlies defensive back Trevin Gradney. “He spins it well, he can run. We just didn’t do a good enough job in the back end. He’s good.”

Marcus Traxler / Mitchell Republic
He’s good and now the games mean more than ever. It isn’t just the playoffs where it’s win or go home, for Gronowski and the other seniors, it’s win or be done as a Jackrabbit. Unless NDSU gets upset in next week’s quarterfinals, the upcoming game against Incarnate Word will be the final game at Dana J. Dykhouse Stadium, and if you don’t think those kind of stakes are going to bring out the best in the winningest quarterback in South Dakota State history, you don’t know Mark Gronowski.
“It’s kind of like a new season when you get to the playoffs,” Gronowski said. “It’s win or go home at this point. For us seniors it could be our last game if we don’t play well. We’ll come out next week with a little more extra juice.”
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.
Montana
Montana Lottery Powerball, Lucky For Life results for Jan. 10, 2026
The Montana Lottery offers multiple draw games for those aiming to win big. Here’s a look at Jan. 10, 2026, results for each game:
Winning Powerball numbers from Jan. 10 drawing
05-19-21-28-64, Powerball: 14, Power Play: 3
Check Powerball payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Lucky For Life numbers from Jan. 10 drawing
17-24-36-38-43, Lucky Ball: 17
Check Lucky For Life payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Lotto America numbers from Jan. 10 drawing
06-15-20-22-25, Star Ball: 10, ASB: 02
Check Lotto America payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Big Sky Bonus numbers from Jan. 10 drawing
03-07-20-23, Bonus: 13
Check Big Sky Bonus payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Powerball Double Play numbers from Jan. 10 drawing
10-19-39-47-67, Powerball: 18
Check Powerball Double Play payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Montana Cash numbers from Jan. 10 drawing
06-12-17-18-25
Check Montana Cash payouts and previous drawings here.
Feeling lucky? Explore the latest lottery news & results
When are the Montana Lottery drawings held?
- Powerball: 8:59 p.m. MT on Monday, Wednesday, and Saturday.
- Mega Millions: 9 p.m. MT on Tuesday and Friday.
- Lucky For Life: 8:38 p.m. MT daily.
- Lotto America: 9 p.m. MT on Monday, Wednesday and Saturday.
- Big Sky Bonus: 7:30 p.m. MT daily.
- Powerball Double Play: 8:59 p.m. MT on Monday, Wednesday, and Saturday.
- Montana Cash: 8 p.m. MT on Wednesday and Saturday.
Missed a draw? Peek at the past week’s winning numbers.
Winning lottery numbers are sponsored by Jackpocket, the official digital lottery courier of the USA TODAY Network.
Where can you buy lottery tickets?
Tickets can be purchased in person at gas stations, convenience stores and grocery stores. Some airport terminals may also sell lottery tickets.
You can also order tickets online through Jackpocket, the official digital lottery courier of the USA TODAY Network, in these U.S. states and territories: Arizona, Arkansas, Colorado, Idaho, Maine, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Montana, Nebraska, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Oregon, Puerto Rico, Washington D.C., and West Virginia. The Jackpocket app allows you to pick your lottery game and numbers, place your order, see your ticket and collect your winnings all using your phone or home computer.
Jackpocket is the official digital lottery courier of the USA TODAY Network. Gannett may earn revenue for audience referrals to Jackpocket services. GAMBLING PROBLEM? CALL 1-800-GAMBLER, Call 877-8-HOPENY/text HOPENY (467369) (NY). 18+ (19+ in NE, 21+ in AZ). Physically present where Jackpocket operates. Jackpocket is not affiliated with any State Lottery. Eligibility Restrictions apply. Void where prohibited. Terms: jackpocket.com/tos.
This results page was generated automatically using information from TinBu and a template written and reviewed by a Great Falls Tribune editor. You can send feedback using this form.
Montana
Service door of Crans-Montana bar where 40 died in fire was locked from inside, owner says
The French owner of the Swiss bar where 40 people died in a fire during new year celebrations has told investigators a service door had been locked from the inside.
Jacques Moretti, co-owner of the Constellation bar in the Swiss resort of Crans-Montana, was taken into custody on Friday, as prosecutors investigated the tragedy.
Most of the 40 people who died were teenagers, and another 116 people were injured.
Moretti told the Valais public prosecutor’s office that he had found out about the locked door just after the deadly fire.
When he arrived at the scene, he forced open the door, according to excerpts from police reports published by several French and Swiss media outlets confirmed to AFP by a source close to the case.
Moretti said he had found several people lying behind the door after opening it.
Initial findings suggest the fire was caused by sparklers coming into contact with soundproofing foam installed on the ceiling of the establishment’s basement.
Questions are also being raised regarding the presence and accessibility of fire extinguishers, and whether the bar’s exits were in compliance with regulations.
No safety inspections at site of Swiss bar fire for past five years, mayor says
“We always add a sparkler candle when we serve a bottle of wine in the dining room,” said his wife and co-owner, Jessica, who was released after Friday’s hearing.
Moretti told investigators he had carried out tests and the candles were not powerful enough to ignite the acoustic foam.
He said he bought the foam in a DIY store and installed it himself during renovations carried out after buying the establishment in 2015.
Regarding the presence of numerous underage kids in the bar at the time of the tragedy, Moretti said the establishment prohibited anyone under the age of 16 and that customers aged 16 to 18 had to be accompanied by an adult.
He said he had given these “instructions” to the security staff, but acknowledged that “it is possible that there was a lapse in protocol”.
The couple is suspected of “negligent homicide, negligent bodily harm, and negligent arson”.
Montana
‘It was apocalyptic’, woman tells Crans-Montana memorial service, as bar owner detained
Tragedy brought people together in Crans-Montana and brought the country to a standstill.
On Friday, just down the road from the bar where 40 young people were killed by fire on New Year’s Eve, church bells rang in their memory.
They tolled right across Switzerland, to mark a national day of mourning.
Then, moments after the last notes of a special memorial service had faded, came the news that one of the bar’s owners had been detained.
Swiss prosecutors said Jacques Moretti, a French national, was a potential flight risk. He and his wife Jessica, who is also French, are suspected of manslaughter by negligence, bodily harm by negligence and arson by negligence.
Many of the victims’ families had demanded action like this from the start: more than a week after the fire, the anger in this community has been increasing.
At the main ceremony in Martigny, down in the valley, relatives of the dead were joined by survivors. Some had come from hospital for the memorial. People held white roses in their laps and gripped each other’s hands for support.
“The images we faced were unbearable. A scene worse than a nightmare. Screams ringing out in the icy cold, the smell of burning. It was apocalyptic,” a young woman called Marie told the audience.
She had been in a bar opposite Le Constellation when the fire broke out and suddenly found herself helping the injured as they ran from the flames.
She said she would never forget what she’d seen.
Listening in the front row were the presidents of France and Italy, whose citizens were among those killed and injured in the fire. Both countries have opened their own investigations.
Back in Rome, Italy’s prime minister vowed to make sure all those responsible were identified.
“This was no accident. It was the result of too many people who did not do their jobs,” Giorgia Meloni said.
She wants to know why the music wasn’t cut as soon as the fire started.
“Why did no-one tell the young people to get out? Why did the council not make the proper checks? There are too many whys.”
In Crans-Montana people have the same questions and many more.
For now, the only two formal suspects are the co-owners of Le Constellation, Jacques and Jessica Moretti. Early on Friday, the pair were called in by prosecutors. They are being investigated for causing death and injury through negligence but have not been charged.
Now Jacques Moretti has been remanded in custody. In a statement, the public ministry said the move followed a “new assessment of the flight risk.”
“I constantly think of the victims and of the people who are struggling,” his wife told a crush of TV cameras after several hours of questioning at the ministry.
It was her first public comment since the fire.
“It is an unimaginable tragedy. It happened in our establishment, and I would like to apologise.”
Nine days on, Le Constellation is still obscured from view behind white plastic sheets. A lone policeman stands guard, his face covered against the relentless snow.
What unfolded inside the building’s basement has gradually become clearer – and it’s the story of a disaster that should never have happened.
Mobile phone footage shows a sparkler tied to a champagne bottle apparently starting the fire as it brushes the ceiling. Covered with soundproofing foam that was never safety tested, it ignites quickly.
When the crowd eventually rush for the exit in panic, there is a crush on the stairs. It seems the emergency doors were blocked.
But another video, from six years ago, suggests the risk was well known. On the footage, a waiter can be heard warning that the material on the ceiling is flammable.
“Be careful with the foam,” the voice shouts, as people wave the same sparklers.
But the questions here are not just for the owners.
This week the local authorities in Crans made the shocking admission that they hadn’t carried out mandatory safety checks of the bar for five years.
They offered no explanation.
“It was a hell inside that bar. More than 1,000 degrees of temperature. There was no way to escape,” Italy’s ambassador to Switzerland, Gian Lorenzo Cornado, told the BBC, citing a long list of safety violations.
Six Italians were killed as a result.
“Italy wants justice, the Italian government wants justice and the Italian people want justice, for sure. The families want justice,” the ambassador stressed.
That includes for those with life-changing injuries.
The regional hospital in Sion took the first major influx of patients. The stress was compounded by the fact that many doctors’ own children were partying in Crans for the New Year.
“They were all scared the next stretcher to arrive would be carrying their own child,” hospital director Eric Bonvin remembers.
But he’s proud of how his team coped.
Some casualties were unconscious and so badly burned, it took time to identify them.
The most serious cases were moved to specialist burns centres elsewhere in Switzerland and in Europe where some are still in a critical condition.
All face a long, tough path to recovery which the doctor likens to a “rebirth” because many of his young patients have severe burns to the face.
“First the body needs to be protected, like the foetus in a mother’s womb. That’s what’s happening for many now. Then they will have to re-enter the world and find their identity,” Professor Bonvin says.
“It will take a lot of work and resilience.”
Add to that the anguish of surviving.
“They came round and at first they felt lucky to be alive. But some now feel this guilt, wondering why they are here, but not their friend or brother,” Bonvin explains.
“It is a delicate moment.”
In central Crans, the heap of tributes for the dead is still growing, protected from the elements by a canvas.
After leaving their own fresh flowers on Friday, many people then stood in front of the ruins of the bar itself for a moment. Remembering, in silence.
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