PHOTOS: South Dakota State Defeats UAlbany For Spot In 2024 FCS National Championship

Photos from South Dakota State's FCS Playoff win over UAlbany to clinch a spot in the 2024 FCS National Championship Game

Zachary McKinnell | Dec 16, 2023

PHOTOS: South Dakota State Defeats UAlbany For Spot In 2024 FCS National Championship /

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No. 1 South Dakota State (14-0, 8-0 MVFC) dominated No. 5 UAlbany (11-4, 7-1 CAA) in a 59-0 shutout win on Friday night in Dana J. Dykhouse Stadium. It was the largest shutout win in FCS Playoff history.

The Jackrabbits forced four turnovers and held the Great Danes to only 298 total yards. South Dakota State suffocated the UAlbany rushing attack to only 66 yards and less than three yards per carry. Linebacker Jason Freeman led the Jackrabbits with nine total tackles and a defensive touchdown.

South Dakota State's offense averaged over 10.5 yards per play and rolled up over 550 yards of total offense. Quarterback Mark Gronowski completed 15-of-19 passes for 265 passing yards and three passing touchdowns.

Below are photos from South Dakota State's dominant win over UAlbany on Friday night in the semifinals of the FCS Playoffs.

SDSU's offensive lineman Mason McCormick poses with a group after the FCS semifinals against UAlbany on Friday, Dec. 15, 2023 at Dana J. Dykhouse in Brookings.

SDSU's safety Cale Reeder (25) celebrates winning the FCS semifinals on Friday, Dec. 15, 2023, at Dana J. Dykhouse in Brookings.

SDSU s fullback Michael Morgan (34) celebrates the win against UAlbany during the FCS semifinals on Friday, Dec. 15, 2023 at Dana J. Dykhouse in Brookings.

SDSU's wide receiver Jadon Janke (1) runs with the ball during the second quarter while playing against University of Albany on Friday, Dec. 15, 2023 at Dana J. Dykhouse in Brookings.

South Dakota State Jackrabbits win the FCS semifinals against UAlbany on Friday, Dec. 15, 2023 at Dana J. Dykhouse in Brookings.

SDSU's running back Isaiah Davis (22) throws the ball on the ground after a touchdown on Friday, Dec. 15, 2023 at Dana J. Dykhouse in Brookings.

UAlbany wide receiver gets tackled by SDSU player on Friday, Dec. 15, 2023 at Dana J. Dykhouse in Brookings.

SDSU's wide receiver Griffin Wilde poses with teammates after a touchdown on Friday, Dec. 15, 2023 at Dana J. Dykhouse in Brookings.

SDSU's tight end Zach Heins screams after a touchdown on Friday, Dec. 15, 2023 at Dana J. Dykhouse in Brookings.

UAlbany's linebacker Dylan Kelly (42) jumps over SDSU player on Friday, Dec. 15, 2023 at Dana J. Dykhouse in Brookings.

SDSU's wide receiver Jadon Janke (1) misses the pass on Friday, Dec. 15, 2023 at Dana J. Dykhouse in Brookings.

SDSU's wide receiver Jadon Janke (1) scores the touchdown during the second quarter while playing against University of Albany on Friday, Dec. 15, 2023 at Dana J. Dykhouse in Brookings.

South Dakota State Jackrabbits win the FCS semifinals against UAlbany on Friday, Dec. 15, 2023 at Dana J. Dykhouse in Brookings.

SDSU's wide receiver Jaxon Janke (10) catches the ball during the second quarter while playing against University of Albany on Friday, Dec. 15, 2023 at Dana J. Dykhouse in Brookings

South Dakota State Jackrabbits win the FCS semifinals against UAlbany on Friday, Dec. 15, 2023 at Dana J. Dykhouse in Brookings.

SDSU's wide receiver Griffin Wilde runs for the touchdown on Friday, Dec. 15, 2023 at Dana J. Dykhouse in Brookings.

South Dakota State Jackrabbits win the FCS semifinals against UAlbany on Friday, Dec. 15, 2023 at Dana J. Dykhouse in Brookings

SDSU's linebacker Jason Freeman (11) talks to press after winning the FCS semifinals on Friday, Dec. 15, 2023 at Dana J. Dykhouse in Brookings.

SDSU's running back Amar Johnson (3) runs with the ball on Friday, Dec. 15, 2023 at Dana J. Dykhouse in Brookings.

South Dakota State Jackrabbits win the FCS semifinals against UAlbany on Friday, Dec. 15, 2023 at Dana J. Dykhouse in Brookings.

SDSU's quarterback Mark Gronowski (11) signs a football for a kid after winning the FCS semifinals on Friday, Dec. 15, 2023 at Dana J. Dykhouse in Brookings.

South Dakota State Jackrabbits win the FCS semifinals against UAlbany on Friday, Dec. 15, 2023 at Dana J. Dykhouse in Brookings.

SDSU's quarterback Chase Mason and quarterback Mark Gronowski (11) celebrate the win against UAlbany on Friday, Dec. 15, 2023 at Dana J. Dykhouse in Brookings.

SDSU's wide receiver Jaxon Janke (10) misses the pass on Friday, Dec. 15, 2023 at Dana J. Dykhouse in Brookings.

SDSU's quarterback Mark Gronowski (11) runs with the ball on Friday, Dec. 15, 2023 at Dana J. Dykhouse in Brookings.

SDSU's tight end Zach Heins (87) runs with the ball during the second quarter while playing against University of Albany on Friday, Dec. 15, 2023 at Dana J. Dykhouse in Brookings.

South Dakota State Jackrabbits win the FCS semifinals against UAlbany on Friday, Dec. 15, 2023 at Dana J. Dykhouse in Brookings.

SDSU's tight end Zach Heins (87) throws the ball after a touchdown on Friday, Dec. 15, 2023 at Dana J. Dykhouse in Brookings.

South Dakota State Jackrabbits win the FCS semifinals against UAlbany on Friday, Dec. 15, 2023 at Dana J. Dykhouse in Brookings.

SDSU's quarterback Mark Gronowski (11) runs with the ball on Friday, Dec. 15, 2023 at Dana J. Dykhouse in Brookings.

South Dakota State Jackrabbits win the FCS semifinals against UAlbany on Friday, Dec. 15, 2023 at Dana J. Dykhouse in Brookings.

SDSU's linebacker Dalton Mcgaughy (0) jumps before the FCS semifinals on Friday, Dec. 15, 2023 at Dana J. Dykhouse in Brookings.

SDSU's wide receiver Jadon Janke (1) runs with the ball during the second quarter while playing against University of Albany on Friday, Dec. 15, 2023 at Dana J. Dykhouse in Brookings.

South Dakota State Jackrabbits win the FCS semifinals against UAlbany on Friday, Dec. 15, 2023 at Dana J. Dykhouse in Brookings.

SDSU's wide receiver Jaxon Janke (10) catches the ball during the second quarter while playing against University of Albany on Friday, Dec. 15, 2023 at Dana J. Dykhouse in Brookings.

South Dakota State Jackrabbits win the FCS semifinals against UAlbany on Friday, Dec. 15, 2023 at Dana J. Dykhouse in Brookings.

SDSU's wide receiver Jadon Janke (1) scores the touchdown during the second quarter while playing against University of Albany on Friday, Dec. 15, 2023 at Dana J. Dykhouse in Brookings.

Published Dec 16, 2023

ZACHARY MCKINNELL

Zach McKinnell is the Founder and Senior Editor of FCS Football Central. He is also a columnist for HERO Sports and a contributor for Athlon Sports. In 2022, he became an official voter in the FCS Stats Perform Top-25. He is a former contributor for Vols Wire, part of the USA TODAY Sports Network, and Fly War Eagle on FanSided. Zach graduated from Auburn University in 2018.