South Dakota State vs. Montana score: Jackrabbits cruise to second straight FCS national championship

The Jackrabbits continue to build a dynasty with its second straight title win on Sunday

South Dakota State stands alone at the top of the FCS ranks for a second straight season. The No. 1 Jackrabbits capped an undefeated 2023 season with a 23-3 win against No. 2 Montana in Sunday's FCS national championship game from Toyota Stadium in Frisco, Texas. South Dakota State is the first program to win consecutive FCS titles since North Dakota State's impressive run from 2017-19. 

The final result was rarely in doubt at any point. South Dakota State stormed to an early lead on the game's opening drive, embarking on an 11-play, 75-yard march that ended in a 3-yard touchdown sprint from running back Isaiah Davis. The offense went quiet from there, but a staunch Jackrabbits defense clamped down and preserved the lead. 

Montana got the ball on South Dakota State's 33-yard line early in the second quarter thanks to an interception. The Grizzlies moved the ball all the way to the 13, where they had to settle for a field goal. Montana had two red zone possessions end inside the 15-yard line and came away with just three points in the first half. 

With Montana struggling to move the ball, SDSU came alive over the last 30 minutes. The Jackrabbits scored on three of four possessions in the third quarter to open their decisive 23-3 lead and played ball control throughout the final frame while limiting Montana's opportunities. 

Sunday's result is the latest step in South Dakota State's emergence as the preeminent FCS program. The Jackrabbits have now won their last 28 games with the last loss coming by four points on the road against Iowa early in the 2022 season. That's the third-longest winning streak in FCS history. In that span, South Dakota State has outscored its opponents 314-81 in eight FCS Playoff games. All four of its postseason games this year were decided by at least two possessions. 

[Jan 7, 2024 at 3:15 pm ET · Will Backus]

HALF: No. 1 South Dakota State 7, No. 2 Montana 3 

South Dakota State holds a narrow lead after the first two quarters of play in Sunday's FCS national championship game. The Jackrabbits marched down the field to open the game, capping an 11-play, 75-yard drive with a 3-yard touchdown run from Isaiah Davis. They had plenty of opportunity to expand on that drive throughout the first half, but South Dakota State crossed midfield just once in its next three possessions in the first half. 

As the score might suggest, Montana's offense went through its own set of tribulations. The Grizzlies moved the ball well on their own first drive, and it looked as if they might answer SDSU after a great kick return gave them the ball in plus territory. But 15 plays and 57 yards later, Montana was stopped on fourth down at South Dakota State's 1-yard line. The Grizz had two red zone possessions, both of which ended inside the 15-yard line without a touchdown. 

Montana's defense buckled on its first drive, but the Grizzlies shored things up from there. They capitalized on a couple of crucial mistakes to give their offense a chance. Montana forced two turnovers in the first half -- this against a Jackrabbits team that had just three turnovers total in their last six games and 11 all season -- including an interception off quarterback Mark Gronowski. That gave Montana the ball on SDSU's 33-yard line and set up its only scoring drive of the game thus far, ending in a 30-yard field goal.