FCS National Championship: South Dakota State vs. Montana Offensive Spotlight

We take a look at the best offensive talent between South Dakota State and Montana ahead of the 2024 FCS National Championship

No. 1 South Dakota State (14-0) will face No. 2 Montana (13-1) in the 2024 FCS National Championship at Toyota Stadium in Frisco, Texas. Kickoff is scheduled for Jan. 7 at 1 p.m. CT on ABC.

As we prepare for the FCS national championship game on Jan. 7, we will look at how the talent on the field will stack up. We will combine the rosters from South Dakota State and Montana and look at the starting lineup with players from each team at our disposal. We selected the best player at each position entering the FCS National Championship. 

QB: Mark Gronowski (South Dakota State)
RB: Isaiah Davis (South Dakota State)
WR: Jadon Janke (South Dakota State)
WR: Junior Bergen (Montana)
WR: Jaxon Janke (South Dakota State)
TE: Zach Heins (South Dakota State)
OL: Chris Walker (Montana)
OL: Garret Greenfield (South Dakota State)
OL: Gus Miller (South Dakota State)
OL: Mason McCormick (South Dakota State)
OL: Evan Beerntsen (South Dakota State)
SP: Hunter Dustman (South Dakota State)
RS: Junior Bergen (Montana)
Coach: Bobby Hauck (Montana)

South Dakota State dominates our offensive combined starting lineup with nine of the 11 players. South Dakota State quarterback Mark Gronowski headlines our offense after being named a finalist for the Walter Payton Award. Gronowski has thrown for 2,883 yards and rushed for 349 yards on the ground. He has a total of 35 touchdowns and only has four turnovers this season. Gronowski is a veteran who already has an FCS championship on his resume. Despite his wealth of experience, Mark Gronowski has continued to improve in various aspects of his game. His completion percentage is up from 65% to 69% and he is averaging eight more passing yards per game with fewer attempts per game. Montana’s Clifton McDowell is a dynamic athlete, but Gronowski’s accuracy down the field and veteran experience make him the clear choice for the quarterback position. 

Montana is led by freshman Eli Gillman, who was named the Jerry Rice Award winner this season. He is an explosive athlete who can create explosive plays at any moment. South Dakota State’s Isaiah Davis is the best running back in the nation at the FCS level. Davis has recorded 4,461 rushing yards and 49 rushing touchdowns over his four-year career. Davis has totaled 17 touchdowns this season and is averaging 6.8 yards per carry. The scariest part about Isaiah Davis is that he takes his game to the next level in the postseason. Davis has rushed for 117, 192, and 107 yards in the three playoff games this season. Outside of Isaiah Davis, we have the previously mentioned Eli Gillman, Montana’s Nick Ostmo (8 TDs), and South Dakota State’s Amar Johnson (126 yards in last year’s championship game).

The wide receiver position may be the most underrated positional unit in this game. South Dakota State’s true freshman Griffin Wilde has been a breakout player this season for the Jackrabbits. Even in limited snaps, Wilde has made some huge plays, including a game-winning touchdown against Montana State earlier this season. Keelan White and Aaron Fontes have been outstanding players for Montana in the second half of this season. Both are excellent route runners who can take the top off of a defense with impressive speed. White has 779 receiving yards and Fontes has 541 receiving yards this season.

While both are good players, they are not the complete package that Jadon and Jaxon Janke have been for the Jackrabbits. They are super experienced and have been reliable targets in this offense since 2018. Jaxon has recorded 752 receiving yards this season, while Jadon has totaled 891 receiving yards and nine touchdowns with only one drop.

Montana wide receiver Junior Bergen is our pick for the final receiver spot. Bergen has recorded 1,604 all-purpose yards this season and will be the most dangerous offensive player on the field in Frisco. He has game-breaking speed and can make plays in a variety of ways.

At the tight end spot, we selected South Dakota State’s Zach Heins. Heins only has 29 targets this season and still recorded 25 catches with seven touchdowns. The Jackrabbits do not rely on him for their normal offense, but when they go to him, he is almost automatic. Heins has elite size at 6’7 260 pounds which creates mismatches against safeties and linebackers. are just too small to cover him. He also brings elite blocking ability for the Jackrabbits.

The biggest disparity between Montana and South Dakota State is the offensive line. Montana has comparable talent across all the other position groups, but this is the biggest difference between these teams. South Dakota State is averaging 6.4 yards per carry compared to Montana’s 4.3 yards per carry this season. The Jackrabbits have only allowed 58 total pressures and 10 sacks, while Montana has allowed 98 pressures and 36 sacks entering this game.

The entire South Dakota State offensive line returned after winning the national championship a season ago. South Dakota State guard Mason McCormick is considered the best offensive lineman in the nation, while guard Evan Beerntsen and center Gus Miller are cornerstone pieces in the rushing attack for the Jackrabbits. Offensive tackle Garrett Greenfield has only allowed two sacks this season and earned consensus All-American honors this season. Montana’s Chris Walker takes the final offensive line spot. Walker has only allowed six pressures and zero sacks in the last eight games. He has shown flashes of brilliance in both the run game and pass protection. 

We selected South Dakota State’s Hunter Dustman as our specialist. Dustman has been efficient, making 36-of-49 field goals over his career. South Dakota State’s Tucker Large averaged 18.9 yards a return and scored a touchdown in the semifinal, but he was overshadowed by one of the best return specialists in college football. Junior Bergen has scored three return touchdowns in the last two playoff games and is one of the most electric special teams players at any level of football. Montana head coach Bobby Hauck was selected as the head coach for our combined teams. While Jimmy Rogers has had an incredible first season, Coach Hauck has the advantage in experience and has coached in three FCS championship games. 

FCS National Championship: South Dakota State vs. Montana Defensive Spotlight