FCS history continues to unfold with defending national champion South Dakota State riding a 26-game winning streak – tied for the third-longest in Division I subdivision history.
It will likely take a historic playoff upset – one for the ages, in fact – for Villanova to stop the steamrolling Jackrabbits in their FCS quarterfinal on Saturday.
Following is a capsule preview of the Villanova at SDSU matchup:
No. 8 Seed Villanova (10-2) at No. 1 Seed South Dakota State (12-0)
Kickoff – Noon ET Saturday at Dana J. Dykhouse Stadium in Brookings, South Dakota (ESPN)
Series – South Dakota State leads 2-0 (last meeting: SDSU won 35-21 in a Villanova in 2021 playoff quarterfinal)
Coaches – Villanova: Mark Ferrante (47-28, seventh season); South Dakota State: Jimmy Rogers (12-0, first season)
3 Players to Watch – Villanova: QB Connor Watkins (146 of 251, 2,607 yards, 20 TDs, 9 INTs; 326 rush yards, 10 TDs), RB Jalen Jackson (123 carries, 914 yards, 8 TDs), LB Shane Hartzell (82 tackles, 4 sacks, 1 INT, 8 QB hurries); South Dakota State: QB Mark Gronowski (170 of 248, 2,517 yards, 24 TDs, 4 INTs; 260 rush yards, 7 TDs), RB Isaiah Davis (178 carries, 1,192 yards, 14 TDs; 20 receptions), LB Isaiah Stalbird (65 tackles, 2 sacks, 1 INT, 1 fumble recovery)
Notable – SDSU, the defending national champion, has a 19-game home winning streak in addition to its 26-game overall run. The MVFC champ is the only FCS team to rank in the top 10 of scoring offense, total offense, scoring defense and total defense, and its point differential is by far the best nationally (plus-331 with 455 scored and 124 allowed). Davis has 100+ rushing yards in 10 of his 13 career playoff games. Linebacker Jason Freeman leads with four takeaways on a team that is +11 in turnover margin. Villanova is on a seven-game winning streak with an average 22.7-point margin of victory. The Wildcats are surrendering only 99 rushing yards per game to FCS opponents, but they’ll have to match SDSU’s powerful offensive line (Garret Greenfield and Mason McCormick are committed to the East-West Shrine Bowl). While the CAA tri-champ averages 220.4 rushing yards per game, its downfield passing is a difference maker, with WRs Rayjoun Pringle (38 receptions, 955 yards, 8 TDs) and Jaylan Sanchez (28-716-6) both averaging over 25 yards per catch.
Up Next – The winner will play No. 4 seed Idaho (9-3) or No. 5 seed UAlbany (10-3) in a national semifinal on Dec. 15 or 16.
Prediction – South Dakota State 35, Villanova 17