FRISCO, Texas - Quarterback Mark Gronowski passed for 223 yards and three touchdowns to lead No. 1-ranked South Dakota State to a 45-21 victory over third-seeded North Dakota State in the NCAA Division I Football Championship Game on Sunday, Jan. 8 before a sellout crowd of 18,023 at Toyota Stadium.
Gronowski, voted the game's Most Outstanding Player, completed 14 of 21 passes and added 57 yards on five carries for SDSU, which won its first national championship and completed a 14-1 season. His 51-yard TD run capped a three-play scoring drive to open the second half and gave the Jackrabbits a 24-point lead.
Isaiah Davis rushed 22 times for 103 yards and Amar Johnson had 126 yards on nine carries for the Jacks, who converted 7 of 8 third-down attempts in the first half and finished 9 of 14 for the game.
South Dakota State scored on five of six first-half possessions and opened a 31-14 halftime lead. It was the most first-half points scored against NDSUÂ since 2002. SDSU's 45 points were the most in Toyota Stadium's FCS Championship history and the second most allowed by NDSUÂ since beginning Division I play in 2004.
NDSU quarterback
Cam Miller was 18 of 29 passing for 260 yards and two touchdowns, a 27-yard play to tight end
Joe Stoffel in the first quarter and a 44-yard pass to wide receiver
Eli Green in the second quarter for Green's first career score.
Miller rushed for 64 yards on 13 carries and
Kobe Johnson added 63 yards on 11 carries for the Bison, including a 9-yard touchdown run in the fourth quarter.
Zach Mathis made seven receptions for 123 yards, both career highs.
Safety
Michael Tutsie made a game-high 12 tackles for NDSU and linebacker
James Kaczor added 10 tackles.
The Bison finished the season 12-3 overall.
Â