The Jackrabbit football squad took care of business Saturday against Western Illinois picking up a 27-7 win and locked up a Football Championship Subdivision playoff bid.

In return, the team was rewarded Sunday by NCAA with a trip to face the No. 1 seeded Montana Grizzlies (11-0) in the first round of the FCS playoffs.

“People do not respect us and we play with a chip on our shoulder,” said senior linebacker Jimmy Rogers. “The fact we were put against the number one seed in the playoffs, means we squeezed in. A lot of the other guys and myself feel it’s disrespectful and we’ll take that opportunity to show Montana.”

The Grizzlies have made 17 straight trips, including six trips to the championship game, to the FCS playoffs since 1993. South Dakota State (8-3) is making its first trip since 1979 during the Division II era and is looking at starting its own playoff tradition.

“They are a great program but we’re building into a great program,” Rogers said. “Anytime you step on that field, you have to have the mentality we’re going to bring it to them. When we go down there, we’re not thinking about their past and what they’ve done, but what we need to do and what we need to become.”

The two schools have met six times, with the Big Sky Conference champion winning all previous matchups, including a 36-7 decision in Missoula most recently during the 2006 season. This time around the Jacks look to change that outcome, especially for the 16 seniors who were freshmen the last time around.

“Last time we were out there, I think everyone had an eye opening experience,” said senior offensive lineman Casey Bender. “Now we can go back there with a little more comfort and try to win a ball game.”

The Grizzlies have averaged 25,652 fans a game in one of the most hostile environments at the FCS level. Montana has won a total of 149 games in 23 seasons in Washington-Grizzly Stadium. From Sept. 3, 1994 to Oct. 18, 1997, the Grizzlies reeled off 30 straight home victories.

“We’ve been out there and understand the fans in Missoula at the University of Montana,” Jackrabbit head coach John Stiegelmeier said. “Some of our players will not be used to that environment but we’ll get them use to it this week. We’re excited…to be in the playoffs and to be starting off against those guys. The thing I want to emphasize to our players is that Montana is ranked number one, that doesn’t mean we’re number 16.”

Game time at Washington-Grizzly Stadium in Missoula, Mont., is tentatively set for 12:05 p.m. Mountain Time (1:05 p.m. Central). Tickets went on sale at 8:30 a.m. Mountain Time (9:30 a.m. Central) at the Montana Ticket Office. Orders for the SDSU section can be made over the phone by calling 1-888-MONTANA. Tickets are $29 per person.

Look inside tomorrow’s Brookings Register for more leading up to the Jackrabbits’ first playoff game in 30 years.



Opening Round – Saturday, Nov. 28

SDSU (8-3) at No. 1 Montana (11-0), 1:05 p.m.

Eastern Washington (8-3) at Stephen F. Austin (9-2), 2 p.m.

Elon (9-2) at No. 2 Richmond (10-1), noon

Appalachian State (9-2) at South Carolina State (10-1), 11 a.m.

Holy Cross (9-2) at No. 3Villanova (10-1), TBA

New Hampshire (9-2) at McNeese State (9-2), 2 p.m.

Eastern Illinois (8-3) at No. 3 Southern Illinois (10-1), 1 p.m.

Weber State (7-4) at William & Mary (9-2), noon



Quarterfinals – Saturday, Dec. 5

SDSU-Montana winner vs. Eastern Washington-Stephen F. Austin winner, TBA

Elon-Richmond winner vs. Appalachian State-South Carolina State winner, TBA

Holy Cross-Villanova winner vs. New Hampshire-McNeese State winner, TBA

Eastern Illinois-Southern Illinois winner vs. Weber State-William & Mary winner, TBA



Semifinals – Friday, Dec. 11/Saturday, Dec. 12



Championship – Friday, Dec. 18

At Finley Stadium/Davenport Field

Chattanooga, Tenn.