The numbers don’t lie with FCS finalists South Dakota State and Montana – in some statistics, they’re among the many perfect within the 128-school subdivision, if not one of the best.
On Jan. 7, their strengths will go head-to-head in a much-anticipated championship sport at Toyota Stadium in Frisco, Texas. SDSU (14-0) is the defending nationwide champion and enters on a 28-game profitable streak (third-longest in FCS historical past), whereas blue blood Montana (13-1) makes its eighth all-time look within the ultimate, however the first since 2009.
Following is how the 2 powers stack up towards one another.
When South Dakota State Has the Ball
The Jackrabbits have an offense filled with 2024 NFL prospects, together with left sort out Garret Greenfield (6-foot-7, 320 kilos) and left guard Mason McCormick (6-5, 315) fueling what many consider to be the highest offensive line within the FCS. Quarterback Mark Gronowski, essentially the most excellent participant of the 2022 championship sport, distributes the ball to a wealth of weapons led by working again Isaiah Davis, who has 100 or extra dashing yards in 12 of his 15 profession playoff video games.
On protection, Montana makes use of a 3-3-5 base alignment. Nostril sort out Alex Gubner (6-3, 284) overpowers blockers via the center of the road, which brings extra effectiveness to the Braxton Hill-led linebackers unit and a stout secondary.
Apparently, SDSU is one of the best within the FCS with changing third downs (54.8), however Montana ranks third-best in third-down conversion share protection (28.6).
When Montana Has the Ball
Grizzlies quarterback Clifton McDowell has directed 10 straight wins since changing into the full-time starter, accounting for a mixed 21 passing and dashing touchdowns in that point. He will get the ball to varied weapons, together with tailbacks Eli Gillman, the 2023 Jerry Rice Award recipient, and Nick Ostmo, and large receivers Junior Bergen and Keelan White. The dynamic Bergen has been one of many stars of the FCS playoffs, with three mixed TD returns – two on punts and one on a kickoff – within the final two wins.
SDSU will counter Bergen and the Griz with the FCS’ top-ranked protection, simply the second to publish two shutout wins in the identical playoffs (the opposite is Montana’s 1995 nationwide championship crew). The ‘Rabbits unit is led by the three beginning linebackers – Jason Freeman, Adam Bock and Isaiah Stalbird.
SDSU’s No. 1 rating in crimson zone offense is well-known (success on 98 of its final 100 journeys since final season), however the Jackrabbits are also one of the best within the FCS at defending in its crimson zone (59.4 %, with opponents scoring 10 touchdowns and 9 discipline objectives on 32 crimson zone makes an attempt). Montana has scored on 43 of 52 journeys into an opponent’s crimson zone, though the 82.9 success share ranks simply fiftieth out of 128 FCS groups.
(Listed here are the all-time outcomes of the FCS championship sport)
