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Indiana State University Athletics

Indiana State Sycamores football against the South Dakota State University Jackrabbits, October 29 at Dana J Dykhouse Stadium in Brookings, South Dakota.

Football Seth Montgomery | GoSycamores.com

No. 1/1 Jackrabbits top Sycamores in MVFC play, 49-7

Box Score BROOKINGS, S.D. – No. 1/1 South Dakota State scored touchdowns in each of their seven offensive drives to top visiting Indiana State on Saturday afternoon, 49-7.
 
The Sycamores (1-7, 0-5 MVFC) were unable to limit the Jackrabbits (8-1, 6-0 MVFC) balanced offensive attack on the day as SDSU posted 409 total offensive yards (247 passing, 162 rushing) in the game.
 
Indiana State's offensive and special teams unit provided some excitement in the first half with Harry Van Dyne providing an acrobatic 25-yard touchdown reception, while Geoffrey Brown rumbled for 29 yards on a fake punt. SDSU was able to keep control of the game with two late touchdowns in the first half including a three-yard pass from Mark Gronowski to Mike Morgan with 0:03 remaining in the opening period to keep the Jackrabbits firmly in command.
 
The Jackrabbits added touchdowns on each of their first two offensive drives in the second half to cap the scoring on the day. Indiana State had chances late but a goal-line stand from the SDSU defense kept the Sycamores off the scoreboard in closing out the game.
 
Cade Chambers went 11-of-24 through the air for 114 yards and a touchdown to lead the Sycamore offense before a targeting call took the Sycamore quarterback out of the game in the third quarter. Gavin Screws closed out the game going 2-of-8 for 40 yards as the Sycamores targeted eight different receivers in the loss.
 
Dante Hendrix led ISU's receiving efforts in the game with a team-high four receptions for 41 yards. Harry Van Dyne made it back-to-back games with a receiving score on his way to finishing with three catches for 39 yards in the loss. Justin Dinka was ISU's leader in the backfield with 16 carries for 52 yards
 
Rylan Cole led the Sycamores' defensive efforts with a team-high seven tackles (five solo), while Michael Lufile added six stops (four solo) on the afternoon. Casey Miller and Tony Roberts both added tackles for loss.
 
SDSU quarterback Mark Gronowski went 22-of-28 through the air for 233 yards and three touchdowns through the air, while adding a rushing touchdown in leading the Jackrabbits offense. Jaden Janke was the favorite target on the day with five catches for 82 yards, while Tucker Kraft added five receptions for 59 yards and a touchdown in the game.
 
The Jackrabbit rushing game was led by Amar Johnson's 10 carries for 75 yards and a score, while Isaiah Davis added two first half rushing touchdowns in the win.
The Jackrabbit defense was led by Jason Freeman's game-high 10 tackles, while Quinton Hicks posted SDSU's lone sack of the day. Dalys Beanum added an interception in the SDSU win.
 
How They Scored
  • South Dakota State took their opening drive of the game 57 yards on eight plays to take the early 7-0 lead over the Sycamores. Isaiah Davis capped the drive with a four-yard touchdown carry on the direct snap with 9:31 remaining in the first quarter.
  • Mark Gronowski scored on a two-yard QB keeper to stretch the SDSU lead to 14-0 with 1:52 remaining in the first quarter. The touchdown carry capped a six-play, 41-yard drive set up by a Jaxon Janke 49-yard punt return.
  • SDSU scored on a second direct snap to Isaiah Davis with 14:13 left in the second quarter as the Jackrabbits' running back took it 10 yards up the middle to make it a 21-0 lead. The score ended a four-play, 26-yard drive set up by an interception deep in Sycamore territory.
  • Cade Chambers found Harry Van Dyne for the 25-yard touchdown pass down the middle to put the Sycamores on the board with 9:43 remaining in the second quarter following the nine-play, 75-yard drive. The drive was aided by a 29-yard Geoffrey Brown carry on a fake punt to move the Sycamores into SDSU territory.
  • SDSU went ahead 28-7 on Gronowski's 11-yard touchdown pass to Jadon Janke in the back left corner of the end zone to cap an eight-play, 75-yard drive with 5:19 left in the first half. Amar Johnson's 27-yard carry highlighted the drive for the Jackrabbits.
  • The Jackrabbits added another touchdown just before the halftime break as Gronowski found Mike Morgan for a two-yard score with 0:03 remaining in the first half to put SDSU ahead 35-7. The score ended a seven-play, 61-yard drive and was aided by a late defensive pass interference to set up the touchdown.
  • SDSU marched down the field on the opening possession of the second half to extend the lead to 42-7. Gronowski found Tucker Kraft over the middle for the 21-yard score with 10:55 remaining in the third quarter to end the nine-play, 65-yard drive.
  • A Sycamore fumble gave SDSU possession near midfield and the Jackrabbits capitalized to add to the lead with 4:50 remaining in the third quarter. Amar Johnson went two yards up the middle on the direct snap to put the score at 49-7 following the eight-play, 47-yard drive. 
Inside the Numbers
  • Indiana State finished the game with 260 total yards of offense on the day as the Sycamores posted 154 passing yards and 106 rushing yards in the loss.
  • The Sycamores posted 15 total first downs and held onto the ball for 29:18.
  • Indiana State turned the ball over twice in the contest, while SDSU posted a clean game in the turnover battle.
  • SDSU posted 409 total offensive yards and scored on their first seven offensive drives to take their eighth consecutive win in the series.
  • The Jackrabbits posted 23 first downs and held onto the ball for 30:42 in the win. 
News & Notes
  • Indiana State fell to 2-10 all-time against South Dakota State with the loss.
  • The Sycamores also fell to 1-11 all-time when facing the No. 1-ranked team in the FCS.
  • Blake Surface and Michael Lufile became the 17th and 18th different Sycamore defenders to start a game in the 2022 season as the linebacker duo were both on the field for the first snap.
  • Dante Hendrix ran his receiving streak to 34 consecutive games following his four-catch game. The MVFC receiving leader was limited to 41 yards in the contest.
  • Justin Dinka was also limited in the contest with 52 rushing yards, snapping his streak of five consecutive games with 70+ yards.
  • Hendrix finished the game with 2,371 career receiving yards sitting just 14 yards behind Sam Logan (2,385 – 2003-06) in the ISU's all-time annals. 
Up Next
Indiana State returns home to continue MVFC play this upcoming weekend against the University of North Dakota in the first meeting between the two teams. Kickoff between the Sycamores and the Fighting Hawks is set for 1 p.m. ET and will be carried live on ESPN+ and 105.5 The Legend.
 
Follow the Sycamores
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