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South Dakota State Jackrabbits football

The South Dakota State Jackrabbits football team represents South Dakota State University in college football. The program competes at the NCAA Division I Football Championship Subdivision (FCS) level as member of the Missouri Valley Football Conference (MVFC). The Jackrabbits play their home games at Dana J. Dykhouse Stadium on South Dakota State's campus in Brookings, South Dakota.

South Dakota State Jackrabbits football
2024 South Dakota State Jackrabbits football team
First season1900; 124 years ago (1900)
Athletic directorJustin Sell
Head coachJimmy Rogers
2nd season, 20–2 (.909)
StadiumDana J. Dykhouse Stadium
(capacity: 19,340)
Year built2016
Field surfaceTurf
LocationBrookings, South Dakota
NCAA divisionDivision I FCS
ConferenceMissouri Valley
Past conferencesNCC (1922–2003), Great West (2004–2007)
All-time record655–474–38 (.578)
Playoff record22–12
Claimed national titles2 (Div. I FCS): 2022, 2023
Conference titles
  • NCC (14)
    1922, 1924, 1925, 1933, 1939, 1949, 1950, 1953, 1954, 1955, 1957, 1961, 1962, 1963
  • GWC (1)
    2007
  • MVFC (4)
    2016, 2020, 2022, 2023
RivalriesNorth Dakota State (rivalry)
South Dakota (rivalry)
North Dakota
ColorsBlue and yellow[1]
   
Fight songRing the Bell
MascotJack Rabbit
Marching bandThe Pride of the Dakotas
NCAA FCS Playoff Appearances(13) 2009, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023
WebsiteOfficial website

South Dakota State is considered to be among the few perennial powers in the FCS. South Dakota State is also one of only 13 FCS schools to host ESPN's College GameDay.

For the 2019 GameDay matchup, the No. 3 Jackrabbits hosted the No. 1 North Dakota State Bison, where they would lose in a close battle 23–16 after losing their starting QB to a season ending knee injury.[2]

As of August 2024, the Jackrabbits possess a 12-year streak of qualifying for the FCS playoffs, the second-longest in the country at the FCS level.[3] The longest FCS qualification streak - as of August 2024 - belongs to North Dakota State at 13.[4]

South Dakota State are two-time national champions. They achieved their first national championship win in school history on January 8, 2023, defeating North Dakota State 45-21.[5]

Then a year later on January 7, 2024, they repeated by defeating Montana (13–2) with a score of 23–3. The Jackrabbits finished the season with a perfect 15–0 record under first-year head coach Jimmy Rogers, who previously served as defensive coordinator and was a captain of the 2009 SDSU team himself.[6][7]

History

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The Jackrabbits were an NCAA Division II program in the North Central Conference until moving to the Football Championship Subdivision in 2004.

In March 2004, SDSU initially began their Division I FCS era by being a charter member of the now-defunct Great West Football Conference (along with North Dakota State, Southern Utah, Cal Poly, UC Davis, Northern Colorado) and stayed there until 2007 when they were accepted into the Missouri Valley Football Conference and began league play in the 2008 season.

South Dakota State University has invested in their football program's facilities recently as they have some of the finest amenities and facilities at the FCS level including the largest video/scoreboard in the FCS (2015) a new 19,340-seat stadium (2016), and a large state-of-the-art student-athlete center in the north end zone (2010). Connected to the student-athlete center is one of the largest indoor practice facilities in NCAA Division I (completed in 2014). Due to the success of South Dakota State and North Dakota State football programs, the Dakota Marker game was featured on ESPN’s nationally televised College GameDay on October 26, 2019, becoming one of only a few FCS programs to be featured on the show.

South Dakota State reached the Football Championship Subdivision semi-finals six times in 2017, 2018, 2020, 2021, 2022 and 2023 respectively.

They advanced to their first national championship game on May 8, 2021 after defeating the Delaware Fightin' Blue Hens 33–3 in the national semi-finals. They played No. 2 Sam Houston State for the national championship on May 16, 2021 and lost 23–21. The Jackrabbits finished the season 8–2 and as national runner-ups.

A year and a half later on January 8, 2023 they advanced to the national championship game again where they would win their first national title over conference rival North Dakota State, 45–21.[8]

On January 7, 2024, the Jackrabbits successfully defended their National Title when they defeated the Montana Grizzlies football team 23-3. Their victory capped a 15-0 undefeated regular season for first-year coach Jimmy Rogers, including an 8-0 Missouri Valley Conference record.[9]

Classifications

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  • 1952–1972: NCAA College Division
  • 1973–2003: NCAA Division II
  • 2004–present: NCAA Division I–AA/FCS

Conference affiliations

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Players in the National Football League

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A total of 34 Jackrabbits have played for NFL teams, including six signed to team rosters as of March 2024.

29 Jackrabbits have been drafted in the NFL draft. As of 2021, Jim Langer is the only Jackrabbit to be inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

 
Jim Langer
2x Super Bowl Champion,
SDSU's sole NFL Hall of Famer

Record versus Missouri Valley Football Conference

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Rival Record (W–L–T) Winning Percentage
Illinois State 6–8 .429
Indiana State 10–2 .833
Missouri State 14–1 .933
Murray State 0–0 .000
North Dakota 36–47–5 .434
North Dakota State 45–64–5 .413
Northern Iowa 25–32–1 .439
South Dakota 58–54–7 .518
Southern Illinois 11–4 .733
Western Illinois 14–4 .778
Youngstown State 18–7 .720

FCS Playoffs results

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Through December 2023, the Jackrabbits have appeared in the FCS playoffs thirteen times with an overall record of 22–11 (.667). They have made 12 consecutive appearances in the FCS playoffs, currently the second-longest streak in the nation.

Year Round Opponent Result
2009 First Round Montana L 48–61
2012 First Round
Second Round		 Eastern Illinois
North Dakota State		 W 58–10
L 3–28
2013 First Round
Second Round		 Northern Arizona
Eastern Washington		 W 26–7
L 17–41
2014 First Round
Second Round		 Montana State
North Dakota State		 W 47–40
L 24–27
2015 First Round Montana L 17–24
2016 Second Round
Quarterfinals		 Villanova
North Dakota State		 W 10–7
L 10–36
2017 Second Round
Quarterfinals
Semifinals		 Northern Iowa
New Hampshire
James Madison		 W 37–22
W 56–14
L 16–51
2018 Second Round
Quarterfinals
Semifinals		 Duquesne
Kennesaw State
North Dakota State
 W 51–6
W 27–17
L 21–44
2019 Second Round Northern Iowa L 10–13
2020 First Round
Quarterfinals
Semifinals
National Championship		 Holy Cross
Southern Illinois
Delaware
Sam Houston State		 W 31–3
W 31–26
W 33–3
L 21–23
2021 First Round
Second Round
Quarterfinals
Semifinals		 UC Davis
Sacramento State
Villanova
Montana State		 W 56–24
W 24–19
W 35–21
L 17–31
2022 Second Round
Quarterfinals
Semifinals
National Championship		 Delaware
Holy Cross
Montana State
North Dakota State		 W 42–6
W 42–21
W 39–18
W 45–21
2023 Second Round
Quarterfinals
Semifinals
National Championship		 Mercer
Villanova
Albany
Montana		 W 41–0
W 23–12
W 59–0
W 23–3

Division II Playoffs results

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The Jackrabbits have appeared in the Division II playoffs one time with an overall record of 0–1.[citation needed]

Year Round Opponent Result
1979 Quarterfinals Youngstown State L 7–51

Head coaches

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# Coach Tenure
1 Morrison 1900
2 L. L. Gilkey 1901
3 J. Harrison Werner 1903
4 William Blaine 1904
5 William Juneau 1905–1908
6 Jason M. Saunderson 1909–1910
7 Fred Johnson 1911
8 Harry W. Ewing 1912–1917
- No team 1918
9 Charles A. West 1919–1927
10 Cy Kasper 1928–1933
11 Red Threlfall 1934–1937
12 Jack V. Barnes 1938–1940
13 Thurlo McCrady 1941–1946
14 Ralph Ginn 1947–1968
15 Dave Kragthorpe 1969
16 Dean Pryor 1970–1971
17 John Gregory 1972–1981
18 Wayne Haensel 1982–1990
19 Mike Daly 1991–1996
20 John Stiegelmeier 1997–2022
21 Jimmy Rogers 2023–present

Facilities

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Dana J. Dykhouse Stadium – named for university benefactor and former football player Dana J. Dykhouse.
  • Dana J. Dykhouse Stadium (19,340 capacity)
  • Stiegelmeier Family Student-Athlete Center
  • Dykhouse Student-Athlete Center (Connected to the Stiegelmeier Family Student-Athlete Center in north end zone)

In 2014, South Dakota State University started construction of a new stadium on the location of the current Coughlin-Alumni Stadium. The new stadium has a total seating capacity of 19,340 with easy expansion to 22,500.

The Stiegelmeier Family Student-Athlete Center (formerly the Sanford Jackrabbit Athletic Complex) is the Jackrabbits new State-of-the-art indoor practice facility. The facility was opened on October 11, 2014. The Stiegelmeier Family Student-Athlete Center has bleacher seating for up to 1,000 spectators and can be used for football practice, track practice, softball and baseball practice, track competitions, and other events within the SDSU athletic department. The 149,284-square foot facility is the largest indoor practice facility in Division I athletics and features an eight-lane, 300-meter track which is only one of five collegiate indoor tracks of that size in the nation. Inside the track is an 80-yard football field plus end zones at each end and is composed of a soy-based Astroturf. Within the facility it has areas for sports medicine and strength and conditioning. Sports medicine features include rehab space, a training room, weight room expansion, hydrotherapy, a football team room, offices and academic advising facilities. The Stiegelmeier Family Student-Athlete Center is used by many of SDSU's athletic programs.

All-Time statistical leaders

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[when?]

Single-game leaders

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  • Passing Yards: Dan Fjeldheim (460, 9/28/2002)
  • Rushing Yards: Zach Zenner (295 2x, 11/24/2012, 9/7/2013)
  • Receiving Yards: Jeff Tiefenthaler (256, 9/27/1986)

Single-Season leaders

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  • Passing Yards: Taryn Christion (3,714, 2016)
  • Rushing Yards: Josh Ranek (2,055, 1999)
  • Receiving Yards: Jeff Tiefenthaler (1,534, 1986)

Career leaders

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  • Passing Yards: Taryn Christion (11,535, 2015–2018)
  • Rushing Yards: Josh Ranek, (6,744, 1997–2001)
  • Receiving Yards: Jake Wieneke (5,157, 2014–2017)

Media coverage

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All home and road games are covered on the Jackrabbit Sports Network. The broadcast range of the Jackrabbit Sports Network covers eight states (South Dakota, Minnesota, North Dakota, Iowa, Nebraska, Missouri, Kansas, and Wyoming), and consists of the following stations:

The Missouri Valley Football Conference and ESPN have signed a six-year media rights agreement, effective from the 2024 season. As part of the deal, a minimum of nine games will be showcased on ESPN, ESPN 2, or ESPN U throughout the contract. Additionally, the MVFC will maintain its "game of the week" digital package on ESPN+. The agreement also includes exclusive airing of additional league contests on ESPN platforms. Jackrabbits games have also been broadcast on Midco Sports Net, Fox College Sports, the Big Ten Network, Fox Sports North, ABC, and various local television networks.

Record against FBS competition

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Overall 2–11.

Season Opponent Conference Result Record
2008 Iowa State Big 12 L 17–44 0–1
2009 Minnesota Big Ten L 13–16 0–2
2010 Nebraska Big 12 L 3–17 0–3
2011 Illinois Big Ten L 3–56 0–4
2012 Kansas Big 12 L 17–31 0–5
2013 Nebraska Big Ten L 20–59 0–6
2014 Missouri SEC L 18–38 0–7
2015 Kansas Big 12 W 41–38 1–7
2016 TCU Big 12 L 41–59 1–8
2018 Iowa State Big 12 Canceled by weather
2019 Minnesota Big Ten L 21–28 1–9
2021 Colorado State Mountain West W 42–23 2–9
2022 Iowa Big Ten L 3–7 2–10
2024 Oklahoma State Big 12 L 20–44 2–11

Future non-conference opponents

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Announced schedules as of June 6, 2024.[11]

2024 2025 2026 2027 2028 2029 2030
at Oklahoma State at Montana State at Northwestern at Iowa State at Nebraska at Nebraska
Incarnate Word Drake Southeastern Louisiana
Augustana (SD) at Tarleton State
at Southeastern Louisiana

References

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  1. ^ "South Dakota State Jackrabbits Media Information". July 17, 2017. Retrieved November 4, 2018.
  2. ^ Zimmer, Matt. "College GameDay: North Dakota State crashes party at South Dakota State". Argus Leader. Retrieved December 18, 2022.
  3. ^ "JACKS MEET UALBANY IN FCS SEMIFINAL - South Dakota State University Athletics". gojacks.com. Retrieved August 15, 2024.
  4. ^ "North Dakota State Bison preparing for unfamiliar experience at Montana State in FCS playoffs". 406mtsports.com. Retrieved August 15, 2024.
  5. ^ "South Dakota State 45-21 North Dakota State (Jan 8, 2023) Final Score - ESPN". www.espn.com. Retrieved March 17, 2024.
  6. ^ "South Dakota State 23-3 Montana (Jan 7, 2024) Final Score - ESPN". www.espn.com. Retrieved March 17, 2024.
  7. ^ "Jimmy Rogers - Head Coach - Football Coaches - South Dakota State University Athletics". gojacks.com. Retrieved August 15, 2024.
  8. ^ "South Dakota State wins the 2022 FCS Championship". www.ncaa.com. Retrieved March 17, 2024.
  9. ^ "2023 Undefeated College Football Teams". www.sportsbetting3.com. Retrieved March 17, 2024.
  10. ^ "2021 Football Schedule". South Dakota State University Athletics. Retrieved December 7, 2021.
  11. ^ "South Dakota State Jackrabbits Football Future Schedules". FBSchedules.com. Retrieved June 17, 2023.
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