GAME #14: Bobcats, Jackrabbits Meet with a Trip to FCS Championship Game on the Line
12/15/2022 2:56:00 PM | Football
Montana State, SDSU square off in FCS Semifinals for second straight year
BOZEMAN, Montana – Montana State faces its toughest test of the postseason when the Bobcats visit No. 1 South Dakota State for an FCS Playoffs Semifinals showdown on Saturday at 2 pm MT.
Saturday's contest pits the nation's top rushing offense (MSU averages 331.8 yards per game) against South Dakota State's top-ranked rushing defense. The Jackrabbits allow just 85.4 yards a game on the ground.
"They're very fundamentally sound," said MSU head coach Brent Vigen. "They tackle well, and they just don't get out of position or make mistakes."
While the Bobcat ground game has hovered near the top of the national rankings throughout the season, it received a boost in the playoffs when All-America running back Isaiah Ifanse returned after missing the regular season rehabilitating an injury. Ifanse gained 91 yards in his first game back against Weber State in the Playoffs' second round, then gashed William & Mary for 162 yards in last week's quarterfinals win.
Ifanse already owns Montana State's single-game rushing record, and on a 68=yard touchdown run last week he moved into the top spot on the career rushing list. He is also a 1,000-yard rusher in playoff games, gaining 1,095 in 10 post-season contests. He holds that school record, as well.
"Isaiah gives us a presence inside," Vigen said. "He's a tough runner, hard to bring down, and physical." As such, he is the perfect complement to the Mr. Outside/Mr. Inside quarterback tandem of Tommy Mellott, himself a 1,000-yard rushing this year, and Sean Chambers. And that's not to mention running backs Elijah Elliott and Marqui Johnson, who helped carry the load during Ifanse's absence.
MSU's multi-weapon attack faces a stout defense that allowed more than 100 yards rushing only twice in the regular season (127 by North Dakota State and 106 by Indiana State, both in SDSU wins). Last week, Holy Cross rushed for 261 yards. Jason Freeman leads the Jackrabbits in tackles with 68, including seven for a loss. Reece Winkelman stars, with 12 tackles-for-loss and 6.5 sacks, both team highs.
South Dakota State's star power is bright on offense. Quarterback Mark Gronowski throws for 196.5 yards per game, completing 64.6 percent of his passes, and rushes for 23.0 yards a contest. Isaiah Davis is a brilliant, battering ball carrier, averaging 99.2 yards a game, while Gronowski's aerial weapons include Jaxon Janke (54 catches) and Jadon Janke (45 catches), along with star tight end Tucker Kraft (21 catches in seven games).
While Montana State's defensive don't impress over the course of the season, the team has improved greatly since the return of safety Rylan Ortt. In the last four games, against Cal Poly's high-powered passing game and three playoff teams, the Cats have allowed just 81 total points and around 320 yards and 17 first downs a game.
South Dakota State and Montana State enter Saturday's matchup in the habit of making deep playoff runs. This season marks MSU's third straight in the semifinals, while South Dakota State has advanced to this stage in four of the last five campaigns. Each have advanced to the title game once in that span.
Saturday's game is televised national on ESPN2, and is available over the air waves throughout Montana on the Bobcat Radio Network. It is also streamed on Learfield's Varsity Network.
#GoCatsGo
Saturday's contest pits the nation's top rushing offense (MSU averages 331.8 yards per game) against South Dakota State's top-ranked rushing defense. The Jackrabbits allow just 85.4 yards a game on the ground.
"They're very fundamentally sound," said MSU head coach Brent Vigen. "They tackle well, and they just don't get out of position or make mistakes."
While the Bobcat ground game has hovered near the top of the national rankings throughout the season, it received a boost in the playoffs when All-America running back Isaiah Ifanse returned after missing the regular season rehabilitating an injury. Ifanse gained 91 yards in his first game back against Weber State in the Playoffs' second round, then gashed William & Mary for 162 yards in last week's quarterfinals win.
Ifanse already owns Montana State's single-game rushing record, and on a 68=yard touchdown run last week he moved into the top spot on the career rushing list. He is also a 1,000-yard rusher in playoff games, gaining 1,095 in 10 post-season contests. He holds that school record, as well.
"Isaiah gives us a presence inside," Vigen said. "He's a tough runner, hard to bring down, and physical." As such, he is the perfect complement to the Mr. Outside/Mr. Inside quarterback tandem of Tommy Mellott, himself a 1,000-yard rushing this year, and Sean Chambers. And that's not to mention running backs Elijah Elliott and Marqui Johnson, who helped carry the load during Ifanse's absence.
MSU's multi-weapon attack faces a stout defense that allowed more than 100 yards rushing only twice in the regular season (127 by North Dakota State and 106 by Indiana State, both in SDSU wins). Last week, Holy Cross rushed for 261 yards. Jason Freeman leads the Jackrabbits in tackles with 68, including seven for a loss. Reece Winkelman stars, with 12 tackles-for-loss and 6.5 sacks, both team highs.
South Dakota State's star power is bright on offense. Quarterback Mark Gronowski throws for 196.5 yards per game, completing 64.6 percent of his passes, and rushes for 23.0 yards a contest. Isaiah Davis is a brilliant, battering ball carrier, averaging 99.2 yards a game, while Gronowski's aerial weapons include Jaxon Janke (54 catches) and Jadon Janke (45 catches), along with star tight end Tucker Kraft (21 catches in seven games).
While Montana State's defensive don't impress over the course of the season, the team has improved greatly since the return of safety Rylan Ortt. In the last four games, against Cal Poly's high-powered passing game and three playoff teams, the Cats have allowed just 81 total points and around 320 yards and 17 first downs a game.
South Dakota State and Montana State enter Saturday's matchup in the habit of making deep playoff runs. This season marks MSU's third straight in the semifinals, while South Dakota State has advanced to this stage in four of the last five campaigns. Each have advanced to the title game once in that span.
Saturday's game is televised national on ESPN2, and is available over the air waves throughout Montana on the Bobcat Radio Network. It is also streamed on Learfield's Varsity Network.
#GoCatsGo
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