The South Dakota State Jackrabbits are back-to-back champions of the Football Championship Subdivision (FCS), winners of twenty-nine consecutive games. The Jacks capped the 2023-24 season with a 23-2 victory over the Montana Grizzlies.
Talk about a great opening game! Oklahoma State junior running back Ollie Gordon II (1,732 yards rush, 21 TDs, 6.1 yd avg. 400 yds. Rec. 8 TDs) is arguably the FBS’ most prolific weapon. The nation’s leading rusher in 2023, he finished seventh in the Heisman vote.
Then there’s quarterback Allan Bowman (3,460 yards., Passing., 15 TDs, 14 INTs, 68.7 QBR), receiver Brennan Presley (101 receptions, 991 yards., six TDs), and the stout defense of linebacker Nick Martin (140 tackles, six sacks, one forced fumble), safety Kendal Daniels (105 tackles), safety Trey Rucker (100 tackles), and linebacker Collin Oliver (73 tackles). Bottom line: the Cowboys are loaded!
If Oklahoma State can convincingly stifle a talented South Dakota State program, it would signify that the Cowboys could be in the mix to win the College Football Playoff (CFP).
But first things first. OSU needs to contain FCS’s most valuable player, quarterback Mark Gronowski (3,058 yds. passing, 29 TDs, five INTs, 402 yards rushing, 8 TDs), who led a team that averaged 37 points per game and 450 yards of total offense per game.
The Jackrabbits’ leading rusher last year, Isaiah Davis (1,578 yards, 18 TDs, 6.7 avg), is off to the next level with the New York Jets. But South Dakota State is now in the capable hands of senior Amar Johnson (801 yards rushing, four TDs, 6.3-yard average). Another NFL departure, Jackrabbits’ leading receiver, Jadon Janke (946 yards, receiving, ten touchdowns), will be succeeded by sophomore receiver Griffin Wilde (20 catches, 399 yards receiving, six TDs). On defense, the Jacks are led by linebackers Jason Freeman (96 tackles, two INTs), Saiveon Williamson (57 tackles), and Adam Bock (53 tackles). Strong support in the defensive backfield includes safety Cale Reeder (52 tackles, one INT).
It’s Oklahoma State vs. South Dakota State, August 31, 2 p.m., at Boone Pickens Stadium, Stillwater, Oklahoma, with the game televised by ESPN. (ESPNBet (8/16/24), Oklahoma State -9)
