BROOKINGS, S.D.-South Dakota State reached 10 wins in a season for the first time in program history Saturday and earned a satisfying measure of revenge in the process, dominating 20th-ranked Northern Iowa 37-22 in the second round of the FCS playoffs in front of 7,518 fans at Dana J. Dykhouse Stadium.
The 6th-ranked and 5th-seeded Jackrabbits (10-2) won their sixth straight game, going back to a 38-18 loss they suffered to the same Panthers on homecoming six weeks ago.
And that wasn't the only good news for the Jackrabbits. Thanks to New Hampshire upsetting 4th-seeded Central Arkansas, SDSU will get another home game, with the Wildcats visiting Brookings next weekend.
SDSU quarterback Taryn Christion fired three touchdown passes, becoming the school's all-time leader in a single-season (31, breaking a record he shared with Ryan Berry) and a career (68, breaking the record of 65 held by Austin Sumner).
Chase Vinatieri hit a career-high three field goals including a career-long 55-yarder.
ADVERTISEMENT
Sam Houston State 54, South Dakota 42
HUNTSVILLE, Texas-Chris Streveler set a South Dakota passing record with 520 yards and Brandt Van Roekel set a receiving record with 234 yards, but it wasn't enough as the Coyotes' comeback fell short in a 54-42 loss to sixth-seeded Sam Houston State.
Streveler, the Missouri Valley Football Conference's offensive player of the year, completed 33 of 54 passes with five touchdowns and two interceptions. Van Roekel caught 11 passes with one touchdown.
Sam Houston State quarterback Jeremiah Briscoe completed 28 of 43 passes for 505 yards and four touchdowns. Nathan Stewart caught 7 passes for 180 yards and one touchdown.
Sam Houston State will host a quarterfinal game against Kennesaw State, which knocked off third-seeded Jacksonville State Saturday 17-7.
James Madison 26, Stony Brook 7
HARRISONBURG, Va.-Bryan Schor completed 26 of 35 passes for 255 yards and two touchdowns to lift the national defending champion and top-seeded James Madison to a convincing 26-7 win.
James Madison, which was limited to 49 yards rushing, got 94 receiving yards and one touchdown from Terrence Alts. James Madison had 304 total yards compared to Stony Brook's 311 total yards. Stony Brook quarterback Joe Carbone completed 15 of 36 passes for 207 yards but had five interceptions.
ADVERTISEMENT
James Madison will host the Weber State-Southern Utah winner in next week's quarterfinals.
Weber State 30, Southern Utah 13
CEDAR CITY, Utah-Weber State knocked off No. 8 seed Southern Utah with a convincing 30-13 win Saturday night.
Stefan Cantwell completed 21 of 33 passes for 311 yards and ran for 105 yards to lead Weber State to its road win. Drew Batchelor had six receptions for 98 yards.
Weber State advances to a quarterfinal game at defending national champion James Madison.
New Hampshire 21, Central Arkansas 15
CONWAY, Ark.-Jackson Housman returned an interception 56 yards for a third-quarter touchdown to help New Hampshire knock off fourth-seeded Central Arkansas 21-15.
Housman's touchdown gave New Hampshire a 14-7 lead. Malik Love caught a 9-yard touchdown pass to give New Hampshire a 21-9 lead with 7 minutes, 19 seconds remaining.
ADVERTISEMENT
Central Arkansas quarterback completed 27 of 40 passes for 361 yards. Central Arkansas had 434 total yards while New Hampshire had 216 totals yards.
New Hampshire advances to a quarterfinal game at South Dakota State.
Kennesaw State 17, Jacksonville State 7
JACKSONVILLE, Ala.-Redshirt freshman Bryson Armstrong tallied 11 tackles and junior defensive back Jace White recorded an interception, leading a stout defensive effort as Kennesaw State upset No. 3-seed Jacksonville State, 17-7.
The win was the 12th straight for Kennesaw State (12-1) and advances the Owls to the quarterfinals, where they will meet the winner of No. 6 seed Sam Houston State/ South Dakota game.
Kennesaw, which trailed 7-3 at halftime, got a 9-yard touchdown run in the third quarter from Darnell Holland and a 2-yard touchdown run in the fourth quarter from Chandler Burks.
