BROOKINGS — The South Dakota State Jackrabbits secured a 28-18 victory over the Drake Bulldogs on March 30, 2024, at Dana J. Dykhouse Stadium. This matchup marked a significant contrast to their last encounter in 2023, where the Jackrabbits triumphed decisively with a score of 70-7. Last season, SDSU was the top-ranked team in the Football Championship Subdivision (FCS) and would go on to win back-to-back national championships.
Despite their previous dominance, the Jackrabbits faced a tougher challenge this time around. The Bulldogs, now led by first-year head coach Joe Woodley, entered the game with an impressive record and a hunger for success. Woodley, known for his previous success at Grand View University, had his team prepared to compete against a formidable opponent.
SDSU, currently ranked No. 2 in the FCS, came off thrilling victories against ranked teams, including a double-overtime win against No. 3 Montana State and a 20-3 defeat of No. 15 Sacramento State. However, the Jackrabbits struggled to maintain their momentum against a resilient Drake team.
The Bulldogs opened the scoring with a swift touchdown on their first drive, taking a 7-0 lead. Backup quarterback Xavier Washington led the charge until he sustained an injury, prompting true freshman Logan Inagawa to step in. Inagawa held his own against the defending champions, demonstrating composure and skill under pressure.
The Jackrabbits quickly responded, regaining the lead with a touchdown pass from Chase Mason to Alex Bullock, followed by a 15-yard touchdown run from Julius Loughridge. Despite this resurgence, SDSU could not pull away decisively. A strong defensive effort from the Bulldogs kept the game competitive, limiting the Jackrabbits’ running game and forcing them into missed opportunities.
As the game progressed, SDSU led 28-10 early in the second half, but Drake continued to fight back, closing the gap to 28-18 late in the third quarter. The Bulldogs’ offense managed to gain a total of 295 yards, a stark contrast to their previous matchups with ranked teams.
Quinten Christensen, SDSU’s captain, reflected on the performance, stating, “That wasn’t what we planned or wanted… you do got to give credit to Drake. I thought they played a really solid game.” He emphasized the importance of taking every opponent seriously, regardless of their ranking.
The Jackrabbits faced challenges converting on third downs, finishing 3-for-9, and struggled in the red zone, missing out on key scoring opportunities. Defensive end Dawson Ripperda acknowledged the Bulldogs’ tactical approach, saying, “They schemed us up pretty well… they just had a really good scheme against us.”
While the Jackrabbits never appeared in serious danger of losing, the atmosphere in the stands reflected a mixture of anticipation and frustration. The sellout crowd of 19,213 hoped for explosive plays, yet the game remained a grinding battle.
Looking ahead, SDSU’s head coach Dan Jackson acknowledged the areas needing improvement during their upcoming bye week. He pointed out the need to enhance their kicking game, third-down efficiency, and red zone performance. Jackson remained optimistic, stating, “It’s kind of the goal of this week — to find a way to keep getting better and keep stacking wins.”
Despite the unsatisfactory nature of the victory, the Jackrabbits continue their season at 3-0, showcasing resilience and the potential for growth. As they work toward refining their performance, the win over Drake may serve as a reminder of the challenges ahead in the pursuit of another championship title.
