The article provides a detailed play-by-play account of a college basketball game between South Dakota State Jackrabbits and Arizona Wildcats on December 29, 2025, including scores, player actions, and fouls.
The No. 1 North Dakota State football team dominated No. 2 South Dakota State 38-7 in a rivalry game, but the matchup lacked excitement due to SDSU's starting quarterback Chase Mason being sidelined with an injury, which diminished the anticipated high-stakes showdown.
College GameDay missed a prime opportunity to visit South Dakota State for the Dakota Marker rivalry, a significant moment for FCS football and Pat McAfee's history with the show, instead opting for an SEC game between Vanderbilt and Missouri, highlighting ongoing debates about network bias and the show's focus on power conference matchups.
The 2024 FCS football playoffs feature a 24-team bracket with Montana State as the top seed. Predictions for the tournament include South Dakota State winning the championship against Montana State, leveraging their strong defense to stop Montana State's run game. Key matchups in the playoffs highlight teams like Villanova, North Dakota State, and South Dakota, with South Dakota State expected to secure a three-peat in the championship game.
The 2024 FCS playoffs will feature Montana State as the top seed after an undefeated season, marking the first time the playoffs will run through Bozeman, Montana. The Bobcats, who last won the FCS national championship in 1984, secured the top spot following a decisive victory over Montana. North Dakota State and South Dakota State, both strong contenders, are seeded second and third, respectively. The playoffs will culminate in Frisco, Texas, continuing a 15-year tradition.
Montana State has secured the No. 1 seed in the 24-team FCS playoffs, with South Dakota State, the two-time defending champion, seeded third. The playoffs feature eight teams with first-round byes, including North Dakota State and South Dakota. The Missouri Valley Conference claimed three of the top four seeds, highlighting its dominance in recent FCS championships. Montana State, leading in scoring and total offense, is seen as a strong contender to challenge the Dakotas' recent dominance. The playoffs begin with first-round games on Saturday, broadcast on ESPN-plus.
Zeke Mayo, a former Lawrence High standout and South Dakota State transfer, has committed to play for the Kansas Jayhawks, choosing them over Creighton, Oklahoma, and Texas. The 6-foot-4 guard, who averaged 18.8 points and 5.7 rebounds at SDSU, aims to provide offensive firepower for KU and coach Bill Self. Mayo's decision to return home was influenced by the support system and the opportunity to play in front of family and friends.
Iowa State, a No. 2 seed, will face South Dakota State in the first round of the NCAA Tournament. If they advance, they will play either Washington State or Drake. The Cyclones are aiming for their first Final Four appearance in 80 years, with the defending champion Connecticut as the No. 1 seed in their region. This matchup is notable as Iowa State's head coach, T.J. Otzelberger, began his coaching career at South Dakota State.
South Dakota State University's football team, the Jackrabbits, secured their second consecutive FCS national championship with a 23-3 victory over Montana, finishing the season 15-0 and extending their winning streak to 29 games. The win marks the first time in school history that the team has achieved an undefeated season at the Division I level. Despite a slow start, the Jacks dominated the game, with quarterback Mark Gronowski earning MVP for the second year in a row. The victory was a testament to the team's talent and experience, and it solidifies their place in FCS history.
South Dakota State wins its second consecutive FCS Championship by defeating Montana 23-3. Quarterback Mark Gronowski ran for a touchdown and threw for another in the second half, leading the Jackrabbits to an undefeated season and extending their winning streak to 29 games. Montana, making their first title game appearance since 2009, finished as the runner-up for the sixth time.
The FCS semifinals are set, with South Dakota State facing off against Albany and North Dakota State taking on Montana. South Dakota State remains dominant, with a 27-game winning streak and a strong defense. Albany's defense will be key in trying to stop South Dakota State's potent offense. In the other matchup, North Dakota State has bounced back after a rocky season and will face a tough Montana team. Both games are expected to be competitive, but South Dakota State and North Dakota State are favored to advance to the championship game.
The FCS quarterfinals are set, featuring matchups between Furman and Montana, Villanova and South Dakota State, North Dakota State and South Dakota, and UAlbany and Idaho. South Dakota State remains the favorite to win the championship, boasting a dominant offense and a strong defense. North Dakota State seeks revenge against South Dakota, while Montana aims to continue their impressive run. UAlbany and Villanova also hope to pull off upsets in their respective games.
South Dakota State is the overwhelming favorite to win the FCS playoffs for the second year in a row, with a 57% chance of winning the title according to SP+. However, there are several other teams that could challenge them, including North Dakota State, Montana, Montana State, Villanova, and Albany. The playoffs feature a total of 24 teams, with the top eight seeds receiving a bye. While South Dakota State is the heavy favorite, upsets are always possible in the FCS playoffs, making it an exciting and unpredictable tournament.
The Montana Grizzlies enter the FCS playoffs as the No. 2 seed and with the No. 2 ranking in the Stats Perform FCS Top 25 Poll, their highest ranking since 2010. They received all 56 second-place votes, trailing only No. 1 South Dakota State. If they continue to win, both teams are guaranteed home games through the semifinals, with the championship game scheduled for January 7.
The 2023 FCS football playoffs are set to begin, and predictions have been made for each round and game. South Dakota State is the top seed, with Montana and South Dakota following closely behind. Some notable predictions include Mercer defeating Gardner-Webb, Youngstown State defeating Duquesne, and North Carolina Central defeating Richmond. The article concludes with a prediction that South Dakota State will win the championship game against South Dakota, completing an undefeated season.