Jackrabbits down Villanova 23-12

BROOKINGS, S.D. (AP) — Isaiah Davis ran for 192 yards, including a 66-yard touchdown run, and top-seeded South Dakota State, the defending national champions, defeated eighth-seeded Villanova 23-12 on Saturday in the quarterfinals of the FCS playoffs.

That touchdown early in the fourth quarter was the only offensive score by either team going into the wind, which gusted up to 45 miles an hour.

The Jackrabbits (130), who won their 27th-straight game, are home against the winner of No. 4 Idaho and No. 5 Albany in the semifinals next weekend.

The only other touchdown going into the wind was Matthew Durrance's punt block, scoop and score covering 45 yards in the second quarter that gave South Dakota State a 10-6 lead.

The Wildcats (10-3) had taken the lead on a 25-yard run by Jalen Jackson, but missed the extra point. Matthew Mercurio kicked a field goal late in the second quarter to pull them within 10-9.

South Dakota State got a key touchdown midway through the third quarter on a Mark Gronwoski pass to Jaxon Jahnke that covered 20 yards.

Villanova got another field goal early in the fourth quarter, but on the next possession, Davis burst through the stacked line for the game-sealing touchdown.

Gronowski was 11 of 19 for 101 yards and the Jackrabbits ran for 242 yards.

Connor Watkins completing 6 of 18 for 74 yards with an interception. Villanova had 219 total yards.

The only three meetings between the schools have come in the playoffs with the Jackrabbits winning all three.

N. Dakota State 45, South Dakota 17

VERMILLION, S.D. (AP) — Cam Miller had a touchdown by pass and run, Cole Payton rushed for two scores and North Dakota State rolled over South Dakota 45-17 on Saturday in the quarterfinals of the FCS playoffs.

The Bison (11-3), who have won nine of the past 11 FCS championships, will travel to second-seeded Montana for a semifinal matchup.

The third-seeded Coyotes (10-3) won 24-19 at NDSU in September to snap a six-game losing streak to the Bison but were down 21-0 after the first quarter Saturday following an 82-yard punt return by Jayden Price. Miller ran 9 yards to cap NDSU's opening 75-yard drive and running quarterback Payton rushed for a 43-yard score.

Miller added a 4-yard TD pass to finish an 81-yard drive and Payton ran 17 yards for a 35-3 halftime lead.

Miller was 13-of-15 passing for 210 yards, Payton had 65 yards on six carries and TaMerik Williams added 58 yards rushing and another TD.

Aidan Bouman was 13-of-22 passing for 199 yards and a TD to Javion Phelps before Bouman was knocked out of the game early in the fourth quarter. Bouman was intercepted twice by Cole Wisniewski and Sam Jung added another pick off backup Jarrett Synek.

NDSU outgained South Dakota 416-298 and held the Coyotes to 52 yards rushing.