In what was dubbed the biggest home game in Missouri State football history, South Dakota State made Bears fans leave the stands unhappy as the Jacks won the the top-five showdown, 28-14.
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SPRINGFIELD, Mo. – In what was dubbed the biggest home game in Missouri State football history, South Dakota State made Bears fans leave the stands unhappy as the Jacks won the the top-five showdown, 28-14.
No. 3 SDSU scored 14 points in the final eight minutes to break a 14-14 tie and get the win. The first touchdown came on a 21-yard pass from Mark Gronowski to Zach Heins with eight minutes left to give SDSU a 21-14 lead. Jadon Janke then put the game away when he took a screen pass 40 yards to the house.
It was the 300th game as the head coach of South Dakota State for John Stiegelmeier. He said he didn’t know about that, but was happy to get the win over the fourth ranked Bears.
“I don’t know those things. … My celebration is through our players. I thank god for those guys every day and to walk into that locker room [after the win], it was a special victory and I’m happy for them,” Steigelmeier said.
SDSU got out to a 7-0 lead with 2:25 left in the first quarter when Gronowski found Jadon Janke for a three-yard touchdown pass. SDSU would drive the ball into MSU territory four times in the first half, but three missed field goals allowed the game to be 7-0 at halftime.
The Bears would start off the second half hot and drove the ball inside the SDSU 10. That’s when Colby Huerter picked off Jason Shelley and returned it all the way to the MSU 24.
“Huge play in the game,” Stiegelmeier said. “It’s one of those deals, I talk to our coaches all the time, there are certain times where a quarterback see’s the receiver and they don’t see the defender. He threw it right at [Huerter’s] chest and he was smart enough to get down the sidelines and make a guy miss. Huge play in the game because we scored on that ensuing possession.”
SDSU would cash in on the turnover as Gronowski found Jaxon Janke for a 13-yard touchdown to make it 14-0 with just over 11 minutes left in the third.
MSU would answer and finally get on the board. Jarcadia Wright ran it in from 15 yards out to cut the lead to 14-7 with 6:34 left in the third.
The Bears would then tie the game just before the end of the third. A blown coverage allowed Shelley to find Raylen Sharp for a 67-yard touchdown and make it 14-14.
That’s when SDSU took control as MSU had just six plays for four yards in the fourth quarter and SDSU had 17 snaps for 154 yards in the final frame.
“Our big guys take pride in [dominating time of possession]. Our entire coaching staff does such a good job of putting together packages. Again, credit Missouri State, they’re a good football team, but we came out on top and I’m really proud of [our team],” Stiegelmeier said.
The Jacks outgained the Bears 475-258 in total yards. Gronowski looked a lot like he did during the 2021 spring season, a season in which he won the Missouri Valley Offensive Player of the Year, as he went 22-for-29 with 319 yards and four touchdowns.
Heins had a career day with seven catches for 127 yards and a touchdown. Jadon Janke had eight catches for 102 yards and two scores. Jaxon Janke had six catches for 83 yards and a touchdown.
“[Heins] has great hands and runs great routes. Some of those routes were designed for him to get the ball and some of them were him being the second look and he made the play. Credit to him and Mark, and then the fat guys blocking,” Stiegelmeier said.
SDSU had 156 yards rushing. Isaiah Davis led the way with 83 yards on 20 carries.
MSU quarterback Jason Shelley was the 2021 MVFC Offensive Player of the Year and the Jacks held him in check except for the long touchdown pass. He was 19-for-29 with 185 yards, one touchdown and one interception.
“Defense played well. … I was really impressed the entire time. They got some yards in the second half, but they came up with some big plays in some crucial times,” Stiegelmeier said.
Safety Matthew Durrance put a bow on the win with an interception of Shelley in the end zone with under a minute to play. Adam Bock led the Jackrabbit defense with seven total tackles, one of which was a sack. Jarod DePriest, Cade Treveer and Ryan Van Marel each had a sack as well.
“I was very impressed with our front four. Christian Smith and Jimmy [Rodgers] do a great job with the package and then getting fresh guys in there. I think to have 10 guys play d line is really a special situation,” Stiegelmeier said.
The Jacks are now 3-1 on the season and will return home next weekend to take on Western Illinois. Kickoff between SDSU and WIU is scheduled for 2 p.m. on Saturday.
