North Dakota State and South Dakota State remained scoreless in the third quarter. There were five punts on all five drives, with South Dakota State facing a third-and-seven at its own 19-yard line when play resumed.

There wasn’t much offense, but the defense stood out.

North Dakota State had four tackles for loss. South Dakota State had two tackles for loss and forced a fumble that was lost.

Check out the three-quarter stats below

Four punts opened the first four drives of the third quarter as both the South Dakota State and North Dakota State defenses held their own. We are still deadlocked in the first FCS semifinal game.

Filled. pic.twitter.com/4yCL1EPRre

— NDSU Football (@NDSUfootball) December 21, 2024

North Dakota State and South Dakota State are tied at 14 apiece after the first half. It was a hard-fought battle, as most fights between the two rivals are.

South Dakota State was able to lean on its running attack, gaining 111 yards to NDSU’s 53. Amar Johnson and Mark Gronowski scored on the ground.

Meanwhile, Cam Miller accounted for both of North Dakota State’s touchdowns, scoring once with his legs and once with his arm. Miller was also efficient, completing six of seven passes.

The biggest play of the first half was the lone turnover, an Amar Johnson fumble that gave North Dakota State the ball in Jackrabbit territory.

When play resumes, North Dakota State will get the kickoff in the second half. First half stats can be found below.

Points from sales! After a 12-yard pass to Bryce Lance, North Dakota State ran the ball six plays in a row until it reached the end zone. It was Cam Miller running down the right edge for a two-yard score that clinched the game.

TOUCHDOWN, Bison!

We are all tied up. pic.twitter.com/UD84sR2BOb

— NDSU Football (@NDSUfootball) December 21, 2024

A routine handoff turned into a fumble after Amar Johnson was stripped in the backfield by Kody Huisman. North Dakota State recovered and will take possession near the red zone at South Dakota State’s 23-yard line.

This is our ball pic.twitter.com/GSfVpuCtg1

— NDSU Football (@NDSUfootball) December 21, 2024

Amar Johnson caused numerous defenders to miss the mark on a 39-yard touchdown run that involved both a hurdle and a stiff arm. The run gave the Jackrabbits 100 yards on the ground today and gave them a 14-7 lead.

The touchdown capped an 86-yard scoring drive. Overall, South Dakota State has outscored its opponents 238-43 in the second quarter this year.

Amar Johnson. Large. Time. Run.

39 yards and a 14-7 lead for Jackrabbit

📽️ » ABC/NCAA#GoJacks🐰🏈 pic.twitter.com/eEQbqw6Lrr

– SDSU Football (@GoJacksFB) December 21, 2024

In the Dakota Marker rematch we are tied after the first quarter. With both teams tied on their scoring drives, South Dakota State forced a three-and-out against North Dakota State after the Bison made a false start on fourth down and were forced to punt.

When play resumes, South Dakota State will have the ball on its own 42-yard line, facing second and fourth teams. First quarter statistics can be found below.

South Dakota State answered North Dakota State’s first points with a scoring drive of its own. The Jackrabbits didn’t have a negative play or an incomplete pass on their 10-play drive, which was capped by a quarterback sneak by Mark Gronowski.

1st place and goal!

Mark Gronowski finds Lofton O’Groske open over the middle for a 35-yard gain

📽️ » ABC/NCAA pic.twitter.com/QHdghz6chr

– SDSU Football (@GoJacksFB) December 21, 2024

Touchdown, Jackrabbits

Mark Gronowski sneaks in from one yard out, capping a 10-play, 75-yard scoring drive…Gronowski’s fifth rushing touchdown of the 2024 playoffs

Jacks and Bison were tied at 4:14 minutes in Q1
📽️ » ABC/NCAA#GoJacks🐰🏈 pic.twitter.com/tjS3fdBcVV

– SDSU Football (@GoJacksFB) December 21, 2024

The connection between Cam Miller and Bryce Lance boils early. The duo connected twice for plays of 30 and 21 yards on North Dakota State’s first drive, with the latter catch resulting in a touchdown.

Miller 🎯 Lance

TOUCHDOWN, Bison! pic.twitter.com/xzFXoLcRq5

— NDSU Football (@NDSUfootball) December 21, 2024

Here’s how to watch the 2024 FCS semifinal game between South Dakota State and North Dakota State:

Here are some of the key storylines and players to keep an eye on in this year’s FCS semifinal game between South Dakota State and North Dakota State

Storylines

• How they got here
  • South Dakota State is the two-time defending FCS champion and its only FCS loss this year came to semifinal opponent North Dakota State. In the playoffs, the Jackrabbits showed why they are among the top championship contenders by outscoring Montana and UIW (in a rematch) by an average of 29 points.
  • North Dakota State entered the postseason with one loss and fended off an early scare from Abilene Christian in the second round to win by 20 points. In the quarterfinals, the Bison defeated Mercer 31-7.
• Past encounters
• Coaching
  • Two young coaches meet again. South Dakota State coach Jimmy Rogers is in his second year at the helm after winning a championship in his first season. North Dakota State coach Tim Polasek is looking to build on Rogers’ success as the Bison standout enters his first year as head coach.
• What is at stake
  • North Dakota State is experiencing its longest title drought since its first title in 2011, as the Bison have not lifted the trophy since 2021. Meanwhile, South Dakota State is trying to become the first three-peat champion since the Bison accomplished the feat in 2019. Getting to Frisco begins Saturday.

Players to keep an eye on

Here are some South Dakota State players to keep an eye on.

South Dakota State All-MVFC player

• 1st team | RB Amar Johnson
• 1st team | OL Evan Beerntsen
• 1st team | OL Gus Miller
• 1st team | DL Jarod DePriest
• 1st team | LB Adam Bock
• 1st team | LB Caleb Francl
• 1st team | DB Dalys Beanum
• 1st team | DB Tucker big
• 1st team | AP Angel Johnson
• 2nd team | QB Mark Gronowski
• 2nd team | WR Griffin Wilde
• 2nd team | DB Colby Huerter
• 2nd team | DB Colby Humphrey

Here are some North Dakota State players to keep an eye on.

• MVFC Offensive Player of the Year: QB Cam Miller
• Newcomer and Freshman of the Year: RB CharMar Brown

North Dakota State All-MVFC player

• 1st team | QB Cam Miller
• 1st team | OL Mason Miller
• 1st team | OL Gray Zabel
• 1st team | WR Bryce Lance
• 1st team | DL Eli Mostaert
• 1st team | LB Logan Kopp
• 2nd team | RB CharMar Brown
• 2nd team | PK Griffin Crosa
• 2nd team | RS Jackson Williams

At the end of the season, South Dakota State was ranked No. 2 and North Dakota State was ranked No. 4 FCS Coaches Poll. The Jackrabbits placed 2nd and the Bison placed 3rd STATISTICS Conduct a survey to end the regular season.

MORE: Memorable Moments, All-Time History of the Dakota Marker

Here’s a look at how the programs are performing based on this season’s results.

South Dakota State vs. North Dakota State

State of South Dakota	Statistics for 2024	State of North Dakota
12-2 (7-1)	Recording (Conf)	12-2 (7-1)
#2	Rank of FCS coaches	No. 4
#2	FCS STATISTICS Perform a rank	No. 3
37.8	Points per game	39.1
12.9	Points allowed	17.5
441.3	Yards per game	425.1
197.5	Passing yards per game	229.3
243.8	Rush yards per game	195.8
289.4	Yards allowed per game	315.1
191.3	Pass yards are allowed per game	196.5
89.1	Rush yards are allowed per game	118.6
QB Mark Gronowski 2,515 yards, 22 TDs, 7 INTs	Overtaking leader	QB Cam Miller 2,873 yards, 28 TDs, 4 INTs
RB Amar Johnson 1,145 yards, 13 touchdowns	Onrushing Leader	RB CharMar Brown 1,081 yards, 14 touchdowns
WR Griffin Wilde 66 receptions, 1,081 yards, 12 touchdowns	Reception manager	WR Bryce Lance 60 receptions, 839 yards, 13 TDs
LB Adam Bock 94 tkl, 8 tfl, 3 sk, 2 ints	defense	LB Logan Kopp 59 tkl, 6 tfl, 3 sk, 3 int