South Dakota State University (SDSU) has secured a spot in the Football Championship Subdivision (FCS) playoffs as the 14-seed, marking their 14th consecutive appearance in the tournament. This announcement came shortly after the Jackrabbits ended a four-game losing streak with a dramatic victory over North Dakota, winning 34-31 in overtime during their regular season finale.
Upcoming Matchup Against New Hampshire
The Jackrabbits, who finished the season with an overall record of 8-4, will host the New Hampshire Wildcats on November 25, 2023, at 12:00 noon at Dana J. Dykhouse Stadium in Brookings, South Dakota. This first-round playoff game will be broadcast on ESPN+.
Fans interested in attending can purchase tickets online, with season ticket holders given until 5 p.m. on Tuesday to claim their usual seats. Any unclaimed tickets will be made available to the general public the following morning.
This matchup marks the second meeting between SDSU and New Hampshire in FCS playoff history. Their first encounter occurred in 2017, where the Jackrabbits triumphed with a commanding score of 56-14.
Performance and Playoff Landscape
Both SDSU and New Hampshire enter the playoffs with identical records of 8-4. The Jackrabbits began the season strongly, achieving a remarkable 7-0 record and reaching as high as No. 2 in the national rankings. However, a subsequent four-game losing streak raised concerns about their playoff eligibility, which they ultimately dispelled with their recent win.
New Hampshire, ranked 25th, enters the playoffs on a high note, riding a five-game winning streak and finishing 6-2 in the Colonial Athletic Association. This success demonstrates their resilience and capability heading into the postseason.
The FCS playoffs reflect a competitive landscape, particularly for teams from the Missouri Valley Football Conference, where six teams have qualified. North Dakota State holds the No. 1 seed, while the University of South Dakota is seeded 11th and Youngstown State 15th. Additionally, Illinois State and North Dakota have entered the playoffs as unseeded qualifiers.
SDSU fans are eager to see how their team will perform on home turf as they aim to advance in the playoffs, with the winner of the upcoming game set to face the third-seeded Montana Grizzlies in Missoula. The atmosphere at Dana J. Dykhouse Stadium is expected to be electric as the Jackrabbits look to capitalize on their playoff experience.
