Gronowski leads South Dakota State to victory over Northern Iowa
- Mark Gronowski threw three touchdown passes, leading South Dakota State to a decisive victory.
- The Jackrabbits' defense was dominant, allowing only a field goal and limiting Northern Iowa's offense.
- This win solidifies South Dakota State's position as the number one team in the FCS coaches poll.
In Cedar Falls, Iowa, the top-ranked South Dakota State Jackrabbits faced off against the Northern Iowa Panthers in their Missouri Valley Conference opener on Saturday. Mark Gronowski led the Jackrabbits with an impressive performance, throwing three touchdown passes, including a notable 68-yard completion to Angel Johnson. The Jackrabbits dominated the game, holding the Panthers to just 246 yards of offense and allowing only a single field goal in the second quarter. Gronowski's scoring passes included a 16-yard touchdown to Kentrell Prejean and a 7-yard pass to Grahm Goering, showcasing his efficiency as he completed 16 of 22 passes for 223 yards without any interceptions. Noah Thompson also contributed significantly, returning a punt for a 49-yard touchdown, further extending the Jackrabbits' lead. Northern Iowa struggled offensively, with Aidan Dunne completing 8 of 15 passes for 113 yards and suffering two interceptions. Mathew Schecklman took over later in the game, completing 9 of 16 passes for 67 yards. Tye Edwards was the leading rusher for the Panthers, carrying the ball 12 times for 62 yards. The victory improved South Dakota State's record to 4-1, solidifying their position as the number one team in the FCS coaches poll. This game highlighted the Jackrabbits' strong defense and effective offensive strategy, setting a positive tone for the remainder of the season.