Too Early to Preview 2024 Season Opener? The Back-to-Back FCS Champs are Coming
STILLWATER – Oklahoma State coming off another 10-win season under Mike Gundy and returning a lot of starters as in nine starters on offense and nine starter on defense with the punter and one of the deep snappers returning as well will have big aspirations and expectations. Next season begins the new 16-team Big 12 with Arizona, Arizona State, Colorado, and Utah joining the existing teams. There will be a 12-team College Football Playoff where the Big 12 champ is assuredly in and there could be a wildcard or two from the conference. The Cowboys will open the 2024 football season with as of this afternoon, Jan. 7, the back-to-back champions from the Football Playoff Subdivision (FCS). South Dakota State will visit Boone Pickens Stadium on Aug. 31. The Jackrabbits took care of Montana 23-3 in Frisco, Texas to win their second straight title.
South Dakota State defeated Montana 23-3 and finished a perfect 15-0 on the season. Quarterback Mark Gronowski ran for a touchdown and threw for one. He completed 62 percent of his passes while throwing for 175-yards in the game. He rushed for 62-yards and even downed a punt inside the 10-yard-line during the win.
South Dakota State came into this season returning 18 starters. They will have somewhat of a rebuild for next season as they will return just four starters on offense, but that includes Gronkowski, back-to-back outstanding player in the FCS Championship Game and this season the Walter Payton Award winner as the top player in the FCS. He will have jumbo center Gus Miller, freshman wide receiver Griffin Wilde, and back-up running back and kick returner Amar Johnson with him.
On defense the Jackrabbits will return just one starter in safety Tucker Large. They di have kicker and punter Hunter Dustrom returning. Tight ends coach Chris Meyers is a former Oklahoma State graduate assistatn coach.