The South Dakota State Jack Rabbits are celebrating an FCS national championship nearly two decades after border-state rivals South Dakota State and North Dakota State moved up together to the Division I level.
Mark Gronowski threw three touchdowns and ran 51 yards for another score as the Jackrabbits won 45-21 win over North Dakota State, which lost for the first time in its 10 FCS title game appearances since the move from NCAA Division II.
Former area high school standouts Ryan Van Marel a senior defensive lineman from Sheldon, Garret Greenfield senior offensive lineman from the Boyden Hull Rock Valley program and Sophomore linebacker Davion Sterner from the West Lyon program are members of that national championship team.
Jacks Head Coach John Stiegelmeier said, “I continue to think back in 2004 and wondering how it was going to work out. Well, this is pretty sweet how it’s worked out.” For South Dakota State its their first Football Championship Subdivision title.
