JACKS SHOW DOME DOMINANCE IN WIN AT UNI

Saturday, October 5

Cedar Falls, Iowa

4 p.m.

South Dakota State University

4-1 , 1-0

Northern Iowa

2-3 , 0-1

1st

2nd

3rd

4th

South Dakota St.

UNI

Photo by: SDSU Athletics

10/5/2024 7:53:00 PM | Football

Box Score SDSU POSTGAME COMMENTS

CEDAR FALLS, Iowa — Top-ranked South Dakota State forced four Northern Iowa turnovers, scored on a blocked punt and found balance on offense to cruise past Northern Iowa, 41-3, in the Missouri Valley Football Conference opener for both teams Saturday afternoon at the UNI-Dome.

The Jackrabbits improved to 4-1 overall in extending their winning streak against Football Championship Subdivision opponents to 31 games. UNI, which entered the weekend ranked 18^th in the coaches' poll and receiving votes in the media poll, dropped to 2-3 overall.

SDSU forced its first turnover on UNI's opening drive of the game as Jarod DePriest jarred the ball loose from Panther running back Tye Edwards and Kobe Clayborne recovered at the Jackrabbit 46. Mark Gronowski connected with Griffin Wilde on a 15-yard pass play to open the ensuing drive and Amar Johnson picked up 25 yards on the ground before Gronowski hooked up with Kentrell Prejean in the left corner of the end zone for a 16-yard touchdown.

After a Steven Arrell interception, a 22-yard field goal by Hunter Dustman on the second play of the second quarter gave SDSU a 10-0 lead and kick-started an avalanche of more big plays.

As UNI lined up to punt near midfield on its first possession of the second quarter, Cullen McShane broke through the protection to block the attempt and Noah Thompson scooped up the loose ball and scored from 49 yards out.

The Jackrabbits then forced their second fumble of the opening half with Max Baloun stripping the ball from quarterback Aidan Dunne and DePriest recovering at the UNI 14. Two plays later, SDSU backup quarterback Chase Mason plunged in from 6 yards for a 24-0 Jackrabbit lead.

UNI put its only points of the game on the board late in the first half with an eight-play, 57-yard drive that ended with a 40-yard field goal by Caden Palmer.

SDSU worked the two-minute drill effectively to close the first half. Amar Johnson caught four passes out of the backfield as part of a nine-play, 41-yard march that culminated with a 41-yard field goal by Dustman.

The Jackrabbits showed no signs of a letdown in the third quarter as they tacked on two more touchdowns. An Adam Bock interception and return deep in UNI territory set up a 6-yard touchdown pass from Gronowski to Grahm Goering for the first score.

SDSU's final tally came on a screen pass from Gronowski to Angel Johnson. With the ball at the UNI 34, Johnson caught the middle screen two yards behind the line of scrimmage and weaved his way through traffic and down the left sideline, getting a key block from wide receiver Elijah Ervin for a 66-yard touchdown.

Gronowski ended the day 16-of-22 for 221 yards and a season-high three touchdowns. Amar Johnson was the leading pass-catcher with four receptions for 28 yards, with Goering (52 yards) and Wilde (39 yards) adding three catches each.

Overall, SDSU held a 390-246 advantage in total offense with Kirby Vorhees pacing the rushing attack with 45 yards on eight carries late in the contest.

Dunne closed the afternoon with 113 yards on 8-of-15 passing. Matthew Schecklman finished at quarterback for the Panthers, completing 9-of-16 attempts for 67 yards. Sergio Morancy caught a game-high six passes for 73 yards, with Edwards picking up 62 yards on the ground on 12 carries.

DePriest led SDSU with six tackles, including two for loss and a sack. Colby Huerter registered five stops.

J.J. Dervil led all players with eight tackles for UNI.

UP NEXT
The Jackrabbits return home to host Youngstown State on Hobo Day next Saturday (Oct. 12). Kickoff is set for 2 p.m. at Dana J. Dykhouse Stadium.

NOTES

UNI leads the all-time series, 33-26-2, although the Jackrabbits have won the last three meetings
SDSU has won 18 consecutive MVFC regular season games
The Jackrabbits have won 21 in a row against ranked FCS foes
SDSU improved to 10-7 in MVFC openers
Gronowski went over 10,000 yards in total offense for his career (10,037)
Prejean's touchdown was the first of his career
DePriest's six tackles marked a career high
SDSU has not allowed a touchdown over its last three full games
The Jackrabbits have returned a punt for touchdown (including on blocked punts) in four of their last eight games dating back to the 2023 season