The 2024 FCS playoffs have mostly played to form entering the quarterfinal round. Everybody’s chasing the national championship, including UIW and South Dakota State as they get set to meet in a rematch.
It ended as an early season loss, but UIW can consider it a positive to have already played at South Dakota State heading into their quarterfinal-round matchup in the FCS playoffs on Saturday.
It gives the Cardinals experience with playing at Dana J. Dykhouse, where the two-time defending FCS champion Jackrabbits have a 28-game winning streak since 2021.
This decade, UIW has stepped up to a higher level in the FCS, and it’s seeking a second trip to the national semifinals in a three-season span. The Jackrabbits, on the other hand, already are a national power, and they’re seeking the final four for the seventh time in eight seasons.
The eight highest seeds from a 24-team bracket have advanced to the quarterfinals. School host sites are utilized in the FCS playoffs until the national championship game on Jan. 6 at Toyota Stadium in Frisco, Texas.
FCS Playoffs – Quarterfinal
No. 6 seed UIW (11-2) at No. 3 seed South Dakota State (11-2)
Kickoff – Noon ET Saturday at Dana J. Dykhouse Stadium in Brookings, South Dakota (ESPN)
Series – South Dakota State leads 1-0 (45-24 win on Sept. 7)
Wins in FCS Playoffs – UIW: Villanova (13-6); South Dakota State: Montana (35-18)
Coaches – UIW: Clint Killough (19-4, second season); South Dakota State: Jimmy Rogers (26-2, second season)
3 Players to Watch – UIW: QB Zach Calzada (310 of 477, 3,533 yards, 34 TDs, 8 INTs; 309 rush yards, 4 TDs), WR Jalen Walthall (76 receptions, 1,224 yards, 14 TDs), S Mason Chambers (81 tackles, 3 INTs, 7 PBU, 1 FR); South Dakota State: QB Mark Gronowski (185 of 296, 19 TDs, 6 INTs; 313 rush yards, 7 TDs), WR Griffin Wilde (63 receptions, 1,014 yards, 10 TDs), LB Adam Bock (83 tackles, 8 TFL, 3 sacks, 2 INTs, 1 FR)
Notable – Their September matchup was tied 17-17 midway through the third quarter before SDSU pulled away from UIW in arguably the biggest nonconference game during the FCS regular season. Gronowski finished with four TD passes to offset Calzada’s 394 yards of total offense and three TD passes. The Jackrabbits will seek ball control behind leading rusher Amar Johnson (1,013 yards) and an attack that averages 6.4 yards per carry (second-best in the FCS). On defense, the ‘Rabbits rank No. 1 nationally in fewest points per game allowed (12.8), having surrendered just one first-half touchdown in their last five games while posting a 145-24 margin before halftime. Walthall and Roy Alexander (87 receptions, 1,016 yards, 12 TDs) give UIW one of only two FCS tandems with 1,000+ receiving yards each. Running back Lontrell Turner has stepped up in leading rusher Dekalon Taylor’s absence, including a career-best 120 rushing yards against Villanova.
Up Next – The winner will play either No. 2 seed North Dakota State (11-2) or No. 7 seed Mercer (11-2) in a national semifinal on Dec. 21
Prediction – South Dakota State 27, UIW 15
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