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Villanova at South Dakota State

Saturday, December 9, 2023, FCS Championship – Quarterfinals, CFP Quarterfinal

South Dakota State beat Villanova 23–⁠12. It was their third meeting; South Dakota State leads the series 3–⁠0.

AwayVillanova10–⁠3 in 2023
12
HomeSouth Dakota State15–⁠0 in 2023
23

Final at Dana J. Dykhouse Stadium, BrookingsTV: ESPN, ESPN+Attendance 10,216

At kickoff
27°F, overcast, wind 31 mph from the northwest, gusts to 40 mphWeather: NOAA NCEI Integrated Surface Database; Brookings Municipal Airport (KBKX), 3 km from the stadium
Official
Gregg WilsonGame officials: stats.ncaa.org box scores, via SportsDataverse

Scoring by quarter

TeamQ1Q2Q3Q4Final
Villanova090312
South Dakota State377623

Standouts

  • RushingIsaiah Davis22 carries, 162 yards, 1 TDSouth Dakota State
  • DefenseDalys Beanum1 INTSouth Dakota State

Player stats

Villanova

PassingC/AttYdsTDInt
Connor Watkins6/187401
RushingCarYdsTDLong
Jalen Jackson967125
Connor Watkins1350011
Dee Wil Barlee112206
T.D. Ayo-Durojaiye2603
ReceivingRecYdsTDLong
Rayjoun Pringle229025
Dee Wil Barlee228014
Jalen Jackson116016
Jaaron Hayek1101

South Dakota State

PassingC/AttYdsTDInt
Mark Gronowski10/188710
RushingCarYdsTDLong
Isaiah Davis22162166
Mark Gronowski839015
Amar Johnson41306
ReceivingRecYdsTDLong
Zach Heins126026
Isaiah Davis224022
Jaxon Janke222120
Griffin Wilde1808
DefenseTklTFLSacksInt
Dalys Beanum0001

From CollegeFootballData’s box score. Names lead to each player’s page. ★ a career high on file.

Team stats

VillanovaSouth Dakota State
219Total yards301
74Passing yards87
145Rushing yards214
4.1Yards per pass4.8
4.1Yards per rush6.3
10First downs13
6–⁠15Third downs3–⁠11
0–⁠0Fourth downs1–⁠1
1Turnovers1
2–⁠20Penalties4–⁠40
28:33Possession25:33

Efficiency

VillanovaSouth Dakota State
28%Success rate37%
−0.16EPA per play0.10
1.22Explosiveness1.24
0.03Rushing EPA0.17
−0.13Passing EPA−0.05
22%Passing-down success25%

From CollegeFootballData.com: each offense’s efficiency, and the havoc each defense caused. The better side of each line is bold.

Before kickoff

Our ratings and the line, going in

Our ratings (scores only)

South Dakota State 78% to win. Elo’s favorite won.

The line

South Dakota State −20.5, over/under 44.5.

The last line on file before kickoff: the consensus line when the books publish one, otherwise a single major sportsbook’s.

Before kickoff, the win chances were South Dakota State 92%, Villanova 8%. CollegeFootballData.com’s estimate from the point spread.

Every drive

South Dakota State end zoneVillanova end zoneQ1 VillanovaPunt, 5 playsQ1 South Dakota StateField goal, 7 playsQ1 VillanovaPunt, 5 playsQ1 South Dakota StatePunt, 5 playsQ1 VillanovaPunt, 3 playsQ1 South Dakota StatePunt, 6 playsQ2 VillanovaPunt, 3 playsQ2 South Dakota StatePunt, 3 playsQ2 VillanovaTouchdown, 5 playsQ2 South Dakota StatePunt, 3 playsQ2 VillanovaPunt return TD, 3 plays (South Dakota State scores)Q2 VillanovaField goal, 8 playsQ2 South Dakota StateEnd of half, 4 playsQ3 South Dakota StateFumble, 4 playsQ3 VillanovaPunt, 3 playsQ3 South Dakota StateTouchdown, 9 playsQ3 VillanovaField goal, 16 playsQ4 South Dakota StateTouchdown, 2 playsQ4 VillanovaInterception, 1 playQ4 South Dakota StatePunt, 7 playsQ4 VillanovaPunt, 3 playsQ4 South Dakota StateResult not recorded, 3 plays
Solid bars scored; an outline in the other team’s color marks points the defense scored. South Dakota State drives left to right, Villanova right to left.
  1. Q1 VillanovaPunt, 5 plays, 0 yards
  2. Q1 South Dakota StateField goal, 7 plays, 6 yards
  3. Q1 VillanovaPunt, 5 plays, 0 yards
  4. Q1 South Dakota StatePunt, 5 plays, −43 yards
  5. Q1 VillanovaPunt, 3 plays, 80 yards
  6. Q1 South Dakota StatePunt, 6 plays, −35 yards
  7. Q2 VillanovaPunt, 3 plays, 83 yards
  8. Q2 South Dakota StatePunt, 3 plays, −9 yards
  9. Q2 VillanovaTouchdown, 5 plays, 44 yards
  10. Q2 South Dakota StatePunt, 3 plays, 0 yards
  11. Q2 VillanovaPunt return TD, 3 plays (South Dakota State scores), −4 yards
  12. Q2 VillanovaField goal, 8 plays, 0 yards
  13. Q2 South Dakota StateEnd of half, 4 plays, 0 yards
  14. Q3 South Dakota StateFumble, 4 plays, 0 yards
  15. Q3 VillanovaPunt, 3 plays, 72 yards
  16. Q3 South Dakota StateTouchdown, 9 plays, −38 yards
  17. Q3 VillanovaField goal, 16 plays, 0 yards
  18. Q4 South Dakota StateTouchdown, 2 plays, 0 yards
  19. Q4 VillanovaInterception, 1 play, 0 yards
  20. Q4 South Dakota StatePunt, 7 plays, −32 yards
  21. Q4 VillanovaPunt, 3 plays, 72 yards
  22. Q4 South Dakota StateResult not recorded, 3 plays, −1 yard

Play by play

1st quarter6 drives, then South Dakota State 3, Villanova 0
Villanova Punt, 5 plays
15:00Hunter Dustman kickoff for 65 yds for a touchback
15:001st & 10 at own 25Connor Watkins run for 7 yds to the VILL 32
15:002nd & 3 at own 32Jalen Jackson run for 6 yds to the VILL 38 for a 1ST down
15:001st & 10 at own 38DeeWil Barlee run for a loss of 3 yards to the VILL 35
15:002nd & 13 at own 35DeeWil Barlee run for no gain to the VILL 35
15:003rd & 13 at own 35Connor Watkins pass incomplete
12:164th & 13 at own 35Nathan Fondacaro punt for a loss of 4 yards , Kevin Brenner returns for no gain to the VILL 31
South Dakota State Field goal, 7 plays
12:161st & 10 at opp 31Isaiah Davis run for 3 yds to the VILL 28
12:162nd & 7 at opp 28Isaiah Davis run for 1 yd to the VILL 27
12:163rd & 6 at opp 27Mark Gronowski run for 6 yds to the VILL 21 for a 1ST down
12:161st & 10 at opp 21Mark Gronowski pass complete to Jadon Janke for a loss of 5 yards to the VILL 26
12:162nd & 15 at opp 26Mark Gronowski run for 1 yd to the VILL 25
12:163rd & 14 at opp 25Mark Gronowski pass incomplete
8:384th & 14 at opp 25Hunter Dustman 42 yd FG GOODSouth Dakota State 3, Villanova 0
Villanova Punt, 5 plays
8:32Hunter Dustman kickoff for 65 yds , TD Ayo-Durojaiye return for 15 yds to the VILL 15
8:321st & 10 at own 15Connor Watkins pass incomplete
8:322nd & 10 at own 15Jalen Jackson run for 14 yds to the VILL 29 for a 1ST down
8:321st & 10 at own 29TD Ayo-Durojaiye run for 3 yds to the VILL 32
8:322nd & 7 at own 32DeeWil Barlee run for 4 yds to the VILL 36
8:323rd & 3 at own 36Connor Watkins pass incomplete
8:324th & 3 at own 36Villanova Penalty, Unsportsmanlike Conduct (Jaylan Sanchez) to the VILL 21
6:104th & 18 at own 21Nathan Fondacaro punt for 36 yds, downed at the SDST 43
South Dakota State Punt, 5 plays
6:101st & 10 at own 43Isaiah Davis run for 5 yds to the SDST 48
6:102nd & 5 at own 48Isaiah Davis run for 7 yds to the VILL 45 for a 1ST down
6:101st & 10 at opp 45Mark Gronowski pass incomplete
6:102nd & 10 at opp 45Isaiah Davis run for a loss of 4 yards to the VILL 49
6:103rd & 14 at opp 49Mark Gronowski pass incomplete
6:104th & 14 at opp 49South Dakota State Penalty, Delay Of Game (-5 Yards) to the SDST 46
3:534th & 19 at own 46Hunter Dustman punt for 54 yds for a touchback
Villanova Punt, 3 plays
3:531st & 10 at own 20Jalen Jackson run for 1 yd to the VILL 21
3:532nd & 9 at own 21Connor Watkins run for 5 yds to the VILL 26
3:533rd & 4 at own 26Jalen Jackson run for 3 yds to the VILL 29
1:394th & 1 at own 29Nathan Fondacaro punt for 36 yds
South Dakota State Punt, 6 plays
1:391st & 10 at own 35Isaiah Davis run for 3 yds to the SDST 38
1:392nd & 7 at own 38Isaiah Davis run for a loss of 3 yards to the SDST 35
0:003rd & 10 at own 35Mark Gronowski pass complete to Isaiah Davis for 22 yds to the VILL 43 for a 1ST down
Q2 15:001st & 10 at opp 43Amar Johnson run for 4 yds to the VILL 39
Q2 15:002nd & 6 at opp 39Amar Johnson run for 2 yds to the VILL 37
Q2 15:003rd & 4 at opp 37Mark Gronowski pass incomplete
Q2 15:004th & 4 at opp 37GRONOWSKI, Mark pass deep to the right complete for 22 yards to JANKE, Jadon caught at the VIL15 and advanced to the VIL15 (MARSHALL, Devon). PENALTY Before the snap, SDS Illegal Formation enforced 5 yards from the VIL37 to the VIL42. NO PLAY (replay the down).
Q2 13:124th & 9 at opp 42Hunter Dustman punt for 25 yds, downed at the VILL 17
2nd quarter7 drives, then South Dakota State 10, Villanova 9
Villanova Punt, 3 plays
13:121st & 10 at own 17DeeWil Barlee run for 1 yd to the VILL 18
11:593rd & 7 at own 20Timeout South Dakota State, clock 11:59
11:592nd & 9 at own 18Connor Watkins run for 2 yds to the VILL 20
11:593rd & 7 at own 20Connor Watkins pass incomplete
11:394th & 7 at own 20Nathan Fondacaro punt for 71 yds, downed at the SDST 9
South Dakota State Punt, 3 plays
11:391st & 10 at own 9Isaiah Davis run for 2 yds to the SDST 11
11:392nd & 8 at own 11Mark Gronowski pass incomplete
11:393rd & 8 at own 11Mark Gronowski pass complete to Jadon Janke for a loss of 3 yards to the SDST 8
10:014th & 11 at own 8Hunter Dustman punt for 36 yds, downed at the SDST 44
Villanova Touchdown, 5 plays
10:011st & 10 at opp 44Connor Watkins pass incomplete
10:012nd & 10 at opp 44Connor Watkins pass complete to Rayjuon Pringle for 4 yds to the SDST 40
10:013rd & 6 at opp 40Connor Watkins run for 8 yds to the SDST 32 for a 1ST down
10:011st & 10 at opp 32Connor Watkins run for 7 yds to the SDST 25
7:552nd & 3 at opp 25Jalen Jackson run for 25 yds for a TD (Matthew Mercurio PAT MISSED)Villanova 6, South Dakota State 3
South Dakota State Punt, 3 plays
7:55Nathan Fondacaro kickoff for 65 yds , Grahm Goering return for 3 yds to the SDST 3 Grahm Goering fumbled, recovered by SDST return for 3 yds , return for no gain to the SDST 3
7:551st & 10 at own 3Isaiah Davis run for a loss of 1 yard to the SDST 2
7:552nd & 11 at own 2Isaiah Davis run for 6 yds to the SDST 8
7:553rd & 5 at own 8Mark Gronowski pass incomplete
6:014th & 5 at own 8Hunter Dustman punt for 33 yds, downed at the SDST 41
Villanova Punt return TD, 3 plays (South Dakota State scores)
6:011st & 10 at opp 41Jalen Jackson run for 7 yds to the SDST 34
6:012nd & 3 at opp 34Connor Watkins pass incomplete
6:013rd & 3 at opp 34Villanova Penalty, Delay Of Game (Isas Waxter) to the SDST 39
6:013rd & 8 at opp 39Connor Watkins sacked by Quinton Hicks for a loss of 6 yards to the SDST 45
4:234th & 14 at opp 45Matthew Durrance 45 Yd Punt Return (Hunter Dustman Kick)South Dakota State 10, Villanova 6
Villanova Field goal, 8 plays
4:23Hunter Dustman kickoff for 51 yds
4:231st & 10 at own 25Connor Watkins run for 11 yds to the VILL 36 for a 1ST down
4:231st & 10 at own 36DeeWil Barlee run for 4 yds to the VILL 40
4:232nd & 6 at own 40Connor Watkins pass incomplete
4:233rd & 6 at own 40Connor Watkins pass complete to Rayjuon Pringle for 25 yds to the SDST 35 for a 1ST down
4:231st & 10 at opp 35Connor Watkins pass incomplete
2:342nd & 10 at opp 35DeeWil Barlee run for 6 yds to the SDST 29
1:104th & 3 at opp 28Timeout Villanova, clock 01:10
1:103rd & 4 at opp 29Connor Watkins pass complete to Jaaron Hayek for 1 yd to the SDST 28
1:064th & 3 at opp 28Matthew Mercurio 46 yd FG GOODSouth Dakota State 10, Villanova 9
South Dakota State End of half, 4 plays
1:06Nathan Fondacaro kickoff for 65 yds for a touchback
1:061st & 10 at own 25Mark Gronowski run for 15 yds to the SDST 40 for a 1ST down
1:061st & 10 at own 40Mark Gronowski sacked by Jake Green and Jake Reichwein for a loss of 2 yards to the SDST 38
1:062nd & 12 at own 38Isaiah Davis run for 3 yds to the SDST 41
0:003rd & 9 at own 41Mark Gronowski pass complete to Isaiah Davis for 2 yds to the SDST 43
3rd quarter4 drives, then South Dakota State 17, Villanova 9
South Dakota State Fumble, 4 plays
14:55Matthew Mercurio kickoff for 57 yds , Griffin Wilde return for 20 yds to the SDST 28
14:551st & 10 at own 28Mark Gronowski pass complete to Griffin Wilde for 8 yds to the SDST 36
14:552nd & 2 at own 36Isaiah Davis run for 10 yds to the SDST 46 for a 1ST down
14:551st & 10 at own 46Mark Gronowski pass incomplete
13:222nd & 10 at own 46Mark Gronowski pass complete to Zach Heins for 26 yds Zach Heins fumbled, recovered by VILL Jalen Goodman J. Goodman return for 0 yds
Villanova Punt, 3 plays
13:221st & 10 at own 28Jalen Jackson run for 5 yds to the VILL 33
13:222nd & 5 at own 33Connor Watkins run for 1 yd to the VILL 34
13:223rd & 4 at own 34Connor Watkins run for 1 yd to the VILL 35
11:084th & 3 at own 35Nathan Fondacaro punt for 27 yds
South Dakota State Touchdown, 9 plays
11:081st & 10 at own 38Mark Gronowski run for 4 yds to the SDST 42
11:082nd & 6 at own 42Isaiah Davis run for 3 yds to the SDST 45
11:083rd & 3 at own 45Isaiah Davis run for 1 yd to the SDST 46
11:084th & 2 at own 46Mark Gronowski run for 3 yds to the SDST 49 for a 1ST down
11:081st & 10 at own 49Mark Gronowski pass incomplete
11:082nd & 10 at own 49Mark Gronowski pass complete to Jadon Janke for 9 yds to the VILL 42
11:083rd & 1 at opp 42Isaiah Davis run for 18 yds to the VILL 24 for a 1ST down
11:081st & 10 at opp 24Isaiah Davis run for 4 yds to the VILL 20
7:012nd & 6 at opp 20Mark Gronowski pass complete to Jaxon Janke for 20 yds for a TD South Dakota State Penalty, Unsportsmanlike Conduct (John O’Brian) to the VILL 18 (Hunter Dustman KICK)South Dakota State 17, Villanova 9
7:01South Dakota State Penalty, Unsportsmanlike Conduct (John O’Brian) to the VILL 18
Villanova Field goal, 16 plays
6:54Hunter Dustman kickoff for 65 yds , TD Ayo-Durojaiye return for 24 yds to the VILL 24
6:541st & 10 at own 24Jalen Jackson run for 2 yds to the VILL 26
6:542nd & 8 at own 26Connor Watkins run for 5 yds to the VILL 31
6:543rd & 3 at own 31Connor Watkins pass complete to Jalen Jackson for 16 yds to the VILL 47 for a 1ST down
6:541st & 10 at own 47Jalen Jackson run for 4 yds to the SDST 49
6:542nd & 6 at opp 49DeeWil Barlee run for 2 yds to the SDST 47
6:543rd & 4 at opp 47Connor Watkins pass complete to DeeWil Barlee for 14 yds to the SDST 33 for a 1ST down
6:541st & 10 at opp 33DeeWil Barlee run for 6 yds to the SDST 27
6:542nd & 4 at opp 27DeeWil Barlee run for 2 yds to the SDST 25
6:543rd & 2 at opp 25Connor Watkins run for 5 yds to the SDST 20 for a 1ST down
6:541st & 10 at opp 20Connor Watkins pass incomplete
6:542nd & 10 at opp 20Connor Watkins run for no gain to the SDST 20
0:003rd & 10 at opp 20Connor Watkins pass complete to DeeWil Barlee for 14 yds to the SDST 6 for a 1ST down
Q4 15:001st & goal at opp 6DeeWil Barlee run for a loss of 2 yards to the SDST 8
Q4 15:002nd & goal at opp 8DeeWil Barlee run for 2 yds to the SDST 6
Q4 15:003rd & goal at opp 6Connor Watkins pass incomplete
Q4 13:294th & goal at opp 6Matthew Mercurio 23 yd FG GOODSouth Dakota State 17, Villanova 12
4th quarter5 drives, then South Dakota State 23, Villanova 12
South Dakota State Touchdown, 2 plays
13:29Nathan Fondacaro kickoff for 65 yds for a touchback
13:291st & 10 at own 25Mark Gronowski run for 9 yds to the SDST 34
12:342nd & 1 at own 34Isaiah Davis run for 66 yds for a TD (Two-Point Conversion failed)South Dakota State 23, Villanova 12
Villanova Interception, 1 play
12:29Hunter Dustman kickoff for 51 yds , TD Ayo-Durojaiye return for 13 yds to the VILL 27
12:211st & 10 at own 27Connor Watkins pass intercepted Dalys Beanum return for no gain to the SDST 32
South Dakota State Punt, 7 plays
12:211st & 10 at own 32Isaiah Davis run for 7 yds to the SDST 39
12:212nd & 3 at own 39Mark Gronowski pass complete to Jadon Janke for 6 yds to the SDST 45 for a 1ST down
12:211st & 10 at own 45Isaiah Davis run for 7 yds to the VILL 48
12:212nd & 3 at opp 48South Dakota State Penalty, Unsportsmanlike Conduct (-15 Yards) to the SDST 43 for a 1ST down
12:211st & 10 at own 43Mark Gronowski pass complete to Jaxon Janke for 2 yds to the SDST 45
12:212nd & 8 at own 45Mark Gronowski run for 3 yds to the SDST 48
12:213rd & 5 at own 48Amar Johnson run for 1 yd to the SDST 49
7:284th & 4 at own 49Hunter Dustman punt for 23 yds, downed at the VILL 28
Villanova Punt, 3 plays
7:281st & 10 at own 28TD Ayo-Durojaiye run for 3 yds to the VILL 31
7:282nd & 7 at own 31Connor Watkins pass incomplete
7:283rd & 7 at own 31Connor Watkins run for 4 yds to the VILL 35
5:544th & 3 at own 35Nathan Fondacaro punt for 46 yds , Tucker Large returns for 6 yds to the SDST 25
South Dakota State Result not recorded, 3 plays
5:541st & 10 at own 25Isaiah Davis run for 13 yds to the SDST 38 for a 1ST down
5:032nd & 7 at own 41Timeout Villanova, clock 05:03
5:031st & 10 at own 38Isaiah Davis run for 3 yds to the SDST 41
5:032nd & 7 at own 41Isaiah Davis run for 8 yds to the SDST 49 for a 1ST down

Play-by-play from CollegeFootballData.com, as its scorers wrote it. The clock is the time left in the quarter; the spot is from the side of the team with the ball.

The series

Every Villanova–South Dakota State game

South Dakota State leads 3–⁠0 in three meetings.

Recent meetings
2023South Dakota State 23, Villanova 12FCS Championship – Quarterfinals, CFP Quarterfinal
2021South Dakota State 35, Villanova 21FCS Championship – Quarterfinals, CFP Quarterfinal
2016South Dakota State 10, Villanova 7

Around this game

Villanova

South Dakota State