Tag: South Dakota State

Former Wisconsin running back Nate White (20) during spring football practice Thursday, April 25, 2024 in Madison, Wisconsin.Mark Hoffman/Milwaukee Journal Sentinel

SD State mourning death of Wisconsin transfer RB Nate White

Posted on | by Field Level Media

South Dakota State running back Nate White died at age 20, the football program said in a statement late Wednesday.

White spent his first two seasons at Wisconsin but didn’t get into a game. In January, he transferred to play for the Jackrabbits with three years of eligibility remaining.

Police in Brookings, S.D., did not confirm a cause of death and said in a press release an active investigation is underway.

“Jackrabbit football is a brotherhood and today we are all hurting with the shocking news of the loss of Nate White,” South Dakota State coach Dan Jackson said in a statement. “Nate impacted our program with his hard work, determination and overall positive spirit. We grieve with his family and will honor his memory throughout the upcoming season.”

A Milwaukee native, White chose to play for Wisconsin over offers from Vanderbilt, Purdue and Iowa State, among others.

He played quarterback as a high school junior at Rufus King High School in Milwaukee and had 48 rushing touchdowns in his final two seasons as a prep.

–Field Level Media

South Dakota State quarterback Mark Gronowski (11) searches for an opening to pass the ball on Saturday, Sept. 7, 2024, at Dana J. Dykhouse Stadium in Brookings.

FCS star QB Mark Gronowski transferring to Iowa

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Former South Dakota State star quarterback Mark Gronowski is going from the FCS to the Big Ten after committing to Iowa on Tuesday afternoon.

Gronowski was the FCS Player of the Year in 2023 and won two national titles with the Jackrabbits. He had a 49-6 record as a starter.

Gronowski announced his decision on social media, writing, “COMMITTED!! #GoHawkeyes.” The school announced he was “Signed. Sealed. Delivered” a short time later.

Speaking to ESPN, Gronowski said he felt comfortable while visiting the school last week.

“The culture at Iowa reminds me a lot of the classic Midwest culture I grew up in,” Gronowski said. “It’s a family atmosphere, and all the coaches are welcoming. It’s a similar situation to where I’ve been. It’s a big part of why I ended up going there.”

Iowa badly needed an upgrade at quarterback after the transfer of Cade McNamara and the passing struggles of run-heavy signal-caller Brendan Sullivan.

Gronowski passed for 2,719 yards and 23 touchdowns against seven interceptions this season. Overall, he passed for 10,309 yards, 93 touchdowns and 20 interceptions and rushed for 1,767 yards and 37 scores.

When he entered the transfer portal late last month, Gronowski said he was going to consider entering the NFL draft. He previously accepted an invitation to play in the East-West Shrine Bowl.

“My goal throughout the process of transferring was getting in a situation to become the best player and be the best potential prospect for the NFL,” Gronowski said.

–Field Level Media

South Dakota State quarterback Mark Gronowski (11) cheers after singing the victory song on Saturday, Dec. 14, 2024, at Dana J. Dykhouse Stadium in Brookings.

South Dakota State QB Mark Gronowski to enter portal, keep eye on draft

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Quarterback Mark Gronowski, who won two FCS national titles at South Dakota State, is entering the transfer portal but also keeping his eyes on his NFL draft potential, he told ESPN.

In four seasons with the Jackrabbits, he played in 55 games, posting a 49-6 record as a starter. He has one year of eligibility available and is expected to be contacted by several power-conference programs.

“I’m trying to weigh all my options to do what’s best for me and my career,” Gronowski told ESPN on Sunday. “I’m confident in what I can do in the NFL. If there’s opportunities that help my family, I’ll change my mind. It’s doing what’s best for me and my long-term interest overall.”

A native of Illinois, Gronowski led South Dakota State to FCS titles in back-to-back titles in 2022-23. The Jackrabbits lost 28-21 to North Dakota State in the FCS semifinals on Dec. 21.

In 2023, he won the Walter Payton Award, which honors the top FCS offensive player.

In his career, Gronowski has completed 64 percent of his passes for 10,309 yards and 93 touchdowns against 20 interceptions. On the ground, he ran for 1,767 yards and 37 touchdowns.

–Field Level Media

South Dakota State Jackrabbits head coach Jimmy Rogers on the sidelines during the semi-final game against North Dakota State Bison on Saturday, Dec. 21, 2024, at Fargodome in Fargo, Nouth Dakota.

Reports: Washington State hiring Jimmy Rogers as new coach

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Washington State is hiring Jimmy Rogers of South Dakota State as its new head coach, according to multiple reports on Saturday.

Rogers reportedly accepted a five-year deal, according to ESPN.

Rogers, 37, is 27-3 in two seasons as head coach of FCS program South Dakota State. He guided the Jackrabbits to a 15-0 record and the 2023 national championship and went 12-3 in 2024.

Rogers will replace Jake Dickert, who recently departed Washington State to take over the Wake Forest program.

Rogers played linebacker for South Dakota State from 2006-09 and has spent 13 of his 15 seasons in the coaching profession at the school. He became head coach after the 2022 season when John Stiegelmeier retired after leading the team to the FCS title.

Washington State went 8-5 this season and lost 52-35 to Syracuse in the Holiday Bowl on Friday night. It was the Cougars’ fourth straight loss following an 8-1 start.

Star quarterback John Mateer entered the transfer portal after the regular season and will play for Oklahoma next season.

–Field Level Media

Oklahoma State's Ollie Gordon II (0) walks of the field following the Big 12 Football Championship game between the Oklahoma State University Cowboys and the Texas Longhorns at the AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas, Saturday, Dec. 2, 2023.

No. 17 Oklahoma State hosts FCS champion South Dakota State

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Oklahoma State has College Football Playoff aspirations.

Cowboys running back Ollie Gordon II is a Heisman Trophy hopeful.

No. 17 Oklahoma State and Gordon get their first chance to make an impression when they host two-time defending FCS champion South Dakota State on Saturday in Stillwater, Okla.

Gordon rushed for 1,732 yards and 21 touchdowns last season, winning the Doak Walker Award as the nation’s top running back.

He put up those numbers despite a relatively quiet start. In the first three games last season, Gordon rushed for just 109 yards and two touchdowns on 19 carries combined.

Once Big 12 play began, Gordon averaged nearly 148 yards and more than 24 carries per game.

Cowboys coach Mike Gundy said there’s still plenty of room for growth for Gordon, now a junior.

“He looks good,” Gundy said. “He’s a kid, he’s growing. His thighs are pretty big, you don’t know it though because he’s so long and gangly. He’s still four to five years away from fully developing.”

While Gordon leads the way offensively for Oklahoma State, senior edge rusher/linebacker Collin Oliver, who has 22.5 career sacks, is the leader defensively.

“You know me by now,” Oliver said. “Anything for the team, I’m willing to do. The position I’m in, I love it. I’m on the edge some and I’m playing linebacker a little bit as well. It’s a cool thing to have happen and I just love the defense we’re in right now.”

The Cowboys struggled defensively last season, allowing 441.8 yards per game — among the worst in FBS.

Oklahoma State is coming off a 10-win season, their eighth in Mike Gundy’s 19 seasons at the helm. The Cowboys had reached that mark just three times before Gundy’s arrival.

The Jackrabbits have won 29 consecutive games, with their last loss coming in the 2022 season opener at Iowa, 7-3.

South Dakota State brings back quarterback Mark Gronowski, who won the Walter Payton Award last season as the top offensive player in the FCS, but is replacing many of Gronowski’s targets and much of the offensive line.

“I’m really excited for those guys to step up to the challenge,” Gronowski said.

Gronowski threw for 3,058 yards and 29 touchdowns last season and rushed for eight more scores.

But Gronowski and the Jackrabbits are looking to turn the page from last season’s success.

“That was last year,” South Dakota State head coach Jimmy Rogers said recently. “I’ll state this as clearly as I can: Our focus as a program is not about what we’ve done, it’s about where we’re going.”

And where the Jackrabbits are going now is Stillwater, where they’ll face a Cowboys team that has never lost to an FCS opponent.

But Oklahoma State realizes they aren’t facing just any FCS team.

“They have a winning culture for a reason,” Cowboys quarterback Alan Bowman said of the Jackrabbits. “I think they’re a really good team. They’re disciplined, they know what to do. They’re never in the wrong spot, so we’re going to have to be extremely disciplined and take it to them.”

The Jackrabbits are looking for their third victory over an FBS opponent. South Dakota State beat Colorado State 42-23 in 2021 and Kansas 41-38 in 2015.

–Field Level Media

South Dakota State Jackrabbits win the FCS semifinals against UAlbany on Friday, Dec. 15, 2023 at Dana J. Dykhouse in Brookings.

South Dakota State beats Montana for second straight FCS title

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South Dakota State’s offense reawakened in the second half as the Jackrabbits defeated the Montana Grizzlies 23-3 to win their second consecutive FCS championship on Sunday in Frisco, Texas.

Mark Gronowski was selected Most Outstanding Player for the second straight year as he threw for 175 yards and a touchdown and rushed for 62 yards and another score. The Jackrabbits (15-0), who defeated North Dakota State for the 2022 title, extended their winning streak to 29 games.

South Dakota State scored on three straight possessions in the third quarter. Gronowski’s 10-yard scramble widened the cushion to 14-3 midway through the period, and the Jackrabbits tallied again with 2:36 left on Jadon Janke’s 23-yard catch.

South Dakota State then cashed in a fumble by Montana quarterback Clifton McDowell for a 32-yard field goal by Hunter Dustman and a 23-3 lead in the final minute of the third.

The Jackrabbits finished with 372 yards to 273 for the Grizzlies (13-2). McDowell threw for 165 yards and was intercepted once.

After falling behind on South Dakota State’s first possession of the game, Montana had numerous opportunities to recover.

Set up by a 39-yard kickoff return, the Grizzlies drove 57 yards to the South Dakota State 1-yard line, only to be stopped a half-yard short on fourth-and-goal.

Montana quickly got another chance when Corbin Walker picked off Gronowski, and the Grizzlies took over at the Jackrabbits’ 33. It was just Gronowski’s fifth interception of the season. But the Grizzlies had to settle for Nico Ramos’ 30-yard field goal and trailed 7-3.

The Grizzlies got another break and took over at their own 44 when South Dakota State fumbled a punt return, but they stalled at the Jackrabbits’ 46.

South Dakota State opened by driving 75 yards on 11 plays in almost seven minutes. Isaiah Davis capped the drive with a 6-yard touchdown run around the left side. Davis finished with 87 yards rushing, 74 in the second half.

Cade Terveer had 1.5 of the Jackrabbits’ four sacks and also forced a fumble.

–Field Level Media

South Dakota State s Isaiah Davis runs the ball in for a two-point conversion while playing Holy Cross in the FCS quarterfinals on Saturday, December 10, 2022, in Sioux Falls. Fcs Quarterfinal 016

South Dakota State reaches FCS title game, will face North Dakota State

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Isaiah Davis rushed for 158 yards and one touchdown to help top-seeded South Dakota State roll to a 39-18 home victory over fourth-seeded Montana State on Saturday to reach the FCS title game for the second time in three seasons.

The Jackrabbits (13-1) will face third-seeded North Dakota State in the championship game in Frisco, Texas on Jan. 8. This will be the Bison’s 10th trip in 12 seasons, and they have won nine national titles during that span.

North Dakota State (12-2) qualified for its latest title appearance with a 35-32 win over seventh-seeded Incarnate Word (12-2) on Friday in Fargo, N.D.

South Dakota State has won a school-record 13 straight games, including a 23-21 road win over North Dakota State on Oct. 15 in Missouri Valley Conference play.

The Bison will bring a seven-game winning streak into the title clash.

Montana State finishes 12-2.

–Field Level Media

Iowa defensive lineman John Waggoner and linebacker Seth Benson (44) tackle South Dakota State quarterback Mark Gronowski during a NCAA football game, Saturday, Sept. 3, 2022, at Kinnick Stadium in Iowa City, Iowa. 220903 Sdsu Iowa Fb 025 Jpg

Iowa defeats South Dakota State, 7-3, without scoring TD

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Linebacker Jack Campbell and defensive end Joe Evans recorded safeties that proved to be the difference as Iowa took down South Dakota State 7-3 on Saturday afternoon at Iowa City, Iowa, in the season opener for both teams.

Campbell, who was named preseason Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year, dragged running back Isaiah Davis into the end zone late in the third quarter to break a 3-3 tie. Evans then sealed the victory by sacking quarterback Mark Gronowski with 3:58 remaining in the fourth.

Iowa had a chance to extend its narrow lead following Campbell’s safety, but running back Leshon Williams fumbled at the South Dakota State 7 to give possession, and hope, back to the visitors.

But Gronowski and the Jackrabbits offense couldn’t capitalize on the opportunity and were held scoreless for the remainder of the game.

Gronowski threw for 87 yards on 10-for-26 passing. Davis added 50 yards on 18 carries and hauled in five receptions for 27 yards.

Hawkeyes quarterback Spencer Petras was 11 of 25 for 109 yards with an interception. Arland Bruce IV finished with five catches for 68 yards, and Williams carried the ball 24 times for 72 yards.

The teams combined for a total of 21 punts.

Offense came at a premium in the first half. South Dakota State put up 76 total yards (52 passing, 24 rushing), while Iowa managed just 56 (41 passing, 15 rushing). The teams combined for just seven first downs.

It looked like South Dakota State wasn’t going to score during the first 30 minutes of action, but linebacker Caleb Francl intercepted Petras to set up a 44-yard field goal from Hunter Dustman to tie things at 3-3 heading into the break.

Petras struggled in the opening half, completing 6 of 15 passes for a measly 41 yards.

After missing a 40-yard field goal attempt at the end of Iowa’s second drive of the game, Aaron Blom redeemed himself by making good on a 46-yarder to open the scoring with 1:11 left in the first quarter.

–Field Level Media

South Dakota State quarterback Mark Gronowski and Karst Hunter celebrate after their teammate scored a touchdown during the Dakota Marker rivalry game on Saturday, April 17, 2021, at the Fargodome in Fargo. Dakota Marker 004

South Dakota State gains top seed in FCS playoffs

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South Dakota State is the top seed in the field of 16 teams competing for the 2020 NCAA Division I Football Championship, announced Sunday.

The season was pushed to spring because of the coronavirus pandemic.

The Jackrabbits finished 5-1 to win the Missouri Valley Football Conference and will be making their 10th consecutive appearance in the playoffs.

The field consists of 10 automatic qualifiers and six at-large teams. Matchups are based largely on geographical proximity between campuses.

South Dakota State will host Holy Cross (3-0) on Saturday in Brookings, S.D.

The tournament will feature five teams from the MVC, including Missouri State, which will be making its first playoff appearance in 31 years. The Bears are led by Bobby Petrino, previously the head coach at Arkansas, Louisville, Western Kentucky and the Atlanta Falcons.

Missouri State hired Petrino in January 2020 to turn around a program that finished 1-10 in 2019.

FCS teams and first-round pairings:

Holy Cross (3-0) at No. 1 South Dakota St. (5-1)
April 24, Brookings, S.D.

Monmouth (3-0) at No. 2 Sam Houston (6-0)
April 24, Huntsville, Texas

VMI (6-1) at No. 3 James Madison (5-0)
April 24, Harrisonburg, Va.

Davidson (4-2) at No. 4 Jacksonville State (9-2)
April 24, Jacksonville, Ala.

Southern Illinois (5-3) at Weber State (5-0)
April 24, Ogden, Utah

Sacred Heart (3-1) at Delaware (5-0)
April 24, Newark, Del.

Missouri St. (5-4) at North Dakota (4-1)
April 24, Grand Forks, N.D.

Eastern Washington (5-1) at North Dakota St. (6-2)
April 24, Fargo, N.D.

–Field Level Media

Aug 29, 2019; Minneapolis, MN, USA; South Dakota State Jackrabbits wide receiver Cade Johnson (15) rushes with the ball for a first down in the first quarter against the Minnesota Golden Gophers at TCF Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jesse Johnson-USA TODAY Sports

S. Dakota State WR Johnson enters transfer portal

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South Dakota State wide receiver Cade Johnson has entered the NCAA transfer portal.

The 5-foot-10 senior from Papillion, Neb., made the announcement Tuesday on social media.

“Please respect my decision. … I gave my blood, sweat, and tears to the program and wish nothing but the best to my coaches, brothers and the community of Brookings,” tweeted Johnson, one of a handful of players from the FCS level who are on NFL radars for the 2021 draft.

The Jackrabbits play in the Missouri Valley Conference, which announced last week it was postponing its football season to the spring.

Johnson told the Omaha World-Herald he hopes to play his final season with a school in one of the high-profile FBS conferences — if those conferences delay football to the spring. If those conferences stick with a fall season, however, he said he would complete his coursework at South Dakota State and reevaluate his options for the spring.

A 2019 All-American at the FCS level, Johnson caught 72 passes for 1,222 yards and eight touchdowns last season. He had 67 receptions for 1,332 yards and a school-record 17 touchdowns in 2018.

–Field Level Media