Montana

Zimmer: Playoffs bring out best in Gronowski as Jacks roll past Montana

Published

1 year ago

December 8, 2024

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.

South Dakota State’s Mark Gronowski prepares to throw a pass during an NCAA FCS second-round playoff game on Saturday, Dec. 7, 2024 at Dykhouse Stadium in Brookings.

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.”

120724 SDSU Montana Wilde.jpg — South Dakota State wide receiver Griffin Wilde carries the football after a reception during an NCAA FCS second-round playoff game on Saturday, Dec. 7, 2024 at Dykhouse Stadium in Brookings.

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.”

120724 SDSU Montana Brenner pass.jpg — South Dakota State tight end Kevin Brenner, center, throws a pass during an NCAA FCS second-round playoff game on Saturday, Dec. 7, 2024 at Dykhouse Stadium in Brookings.

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.

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Montana

Montana GOP won’t endorse in federal races this cycle • Daily Montanan

Published

5 hours ago

March 5, 2026

Press Room

Montana GOP won’t endorse in federal races this cycle • Daily Montanan

Although newly minted GOP candidates for the U.S. House and U.S. Senate have garnered heavyweight endorsements, the Montana Republican Party said Thursday it won’t throw its support behind any candidates for federal office in the primary.

“The Montana Republican Party (MTGOP) stands behind its deep bench of qualified candidates seeking to represent Montanans and supports a competitive primary process to let voters pick their preferred candidates,” the Montana GOP said in a news release Thursday.

Monday, U.S. Rep. Ryan Zinke announced he was retiring due to health concerns once his term ends, and he immediately tapped talk-show host Aaron Flint as his preferred successor in Congress.

Secretary of State Christi Jacobsen and Flathead County Republican Central Committee Chairperson Al Olszewski also filed for the U.S. House as Republicans, as did Ray Curtis of Bonner.

Wednesday, U.S. Sen. Steve Daines withdrew, and in a statement the same night, announced an endorsement of former U.S. Attorney Kurt Alme, who had filed the same day.

In the Senate, Lee Calhoun and Charles Walking Child also filed to run in the Republican primary.

Endorsements for Flint and Alme cascaded. U.S. President Donald Trump endorsed both candidates, and U.S. Sen. Tim Sheehy and Gov. Greg Gianforte threw their weight behind Flint and Alme.

Late on Wednesday, the Montana GOP did not immediately have comment on the news Daines, Montana’s senior U.S. senator, had resigned, but Thursday, the party thanked Zinke and Daines for their service.

A news release said the party would not endorse any candidates in the federal primary and would leave the job in the hands of voters.

“The party hopes every candidate will make their case to the public, contrasting their Republican policies and principles with those of Democrats — as well as phony ‘Independents,’” the news release said.

Former University of Montana President Seth Bodnar announced a run for the U.S. Senate as an independent this week.

A tension within the Republican party has emerged in recent years between hardline conservatives and more moderate members, and some legislative primaries illustrate the split.

This week, the state GOP said the number of primaries for state legislative seats shows a high interest from Montanans who want to serve the state and pass Republican policy, and the MTGOP “is glad to see so many Republicans being called to public service.”

In a brief call, MTGOP spokesperson Ethan Holmes said the party had not ruled out endorsements in legislative primaries.

In the news release, however, the MTGOP offered its view of the larger political debate.

“Montana voters know that beyond the primaries, there is a clear choice between Republican and Democratic governance; one path leads to lower taxes, less crime and stronger families, and the other leads to higher taxes, more crime, and social decay,” MTGOP Chairperson Art Wittich said in a statement.

The news release also said the state GOP is working “tirelessly to deliver a Bright Red Future” at both the state and federal level and looks forward to help candidates whom voters select win in November.

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Montana

Montana Lottery Powerball, Lotto America results for March 4, 2026

Published

17 hours ago

March 5, 2026

Press Room

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

Here’s a look at March 4, 2026, results for each game:

Winning Powerball numbers from March 4 drawing

07-14-42-47-56, Powerball: 06, Power Play: 4

Check Powerball payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Lotto America numbers from March 4 drawing

33-38-39-47-51, Star Ball: 07, ASB: 02

Check Lotto America payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Big Sky Bonus numbers from March 4 drawing

01-07-08-27, Bonus: 12

Check Big Sky Bonus payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Powerball Double Play numbers from March 4 drawing

05-10-26-53-59, Powerball: 06

Check Powerball Double Play payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Montana Cash numbers from March 4 drawing

03-04-06-08-10

Check Montana Cash payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Millionaire for Life numbers from March 4 drawing

12-13-36-39-58, Bonus: 03

Check Millionaire for Life 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.
Millionaire for Life: 9:15 p.m. MT daily.

Missed a draw? Peek at the past week’s winning numbers.

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.

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University of Montana president job draws high interest • Daily Montanan

Published

1 day ago

March 4, 2026

Press Room

University of Montana president job draws high interest • Daily Montanan

The search for a new University of Montana president has drawn more than 60 applicants, according to a spokesperson for the Office of the Commissioner of Higher Education.

“We do not have an exact count at this time, as several applications are still being completed and additional submissions are expected,” said spokesperson and Deputy Commissioner Galen Hollenbaugh in an email earlier this week.

In January, then-UM-President Seth Bodnar announced his resignation to pursue other public service. Wednesday, the final day of filing, he announced he was running as an independent for the U.S. Senate to try to unseat Republican incumbent Steve Daines.

Commissioner of Higher Education Clayton Christian earlier said that with the advice of AGB Search, a firm that’s helped the Montana University System conduct other executive searches, he would undertake an expedited process to appoint a new president.

Christian has been providing brief updates on a website dedicated to the search. Last week, he said he and AGB Search are reviewing applications, and the pool of candidates was “strong and diverse.”

The commissioner also announced he was convening a small working group to assist in the search, members who “represent a variety of perspectives to assist in vetting and narrowing this field of exceptional candidates.”

In an email this week, Hollenbaugh identified the members of the working group who are assisting Christian with application review as: