Rewind and going forward with UCD football

LOOKING BACK, LOOKING FORWARD ... Those who follow FCS football, the level at which UC Davis competes, no doubt know that a team from the Dakotas once again has claimed the national championship. Only this time it wasn’t perennial champion North Dakota State, but their nemesis, South Dakota State.

Yes, the Jackrabbits hammered the Mighty Bison in a way no one has in the last decade, taking a 45-21 win in the title game earlier this month in Frisco, Texas. This is indeed the Year of the Rabbit, but in Brookings, South Dakota at least, it’s also the Year of the Jackrabbit.

What some folks may forget is that way back on Sept. 10, the second week of the 2022 season, the Aggies traveled to Brookings and came within a whisker of handing the eventual national champions a stunning defeat.

The Jackrabbits were seemingly in control, leading 24-10 with the ball at midfield as the clock in the final quarter ticked down under five minutes.

But Teddye Buchanan forced a fumble that Nick Eaton jumped on and Aggie quarterback Miles Hastings completed five quick passes, the last of which went to Justin Poerio for a touchdown from nine yards out. The extra point was blocked, however, and the Aggies still trailed, 24-16, wth 3:19 remaining.

After a successful onside kick, Hastings again hit paydirt, this time with a 25-yard strike to McCallan Castles. Suddenly the Aggies were just two points down with 2:03 left, but Hastings’ two-point pass fell incomplete and South Dakota State was able to run out the clock after recovering UCD’s onside kick attempt.

The Jackrabbits then ran off 13 more wins without a loss to claim their first national championship.

A GOOD MAN GOES OUT ON TOP ... South Dakota State head coach John Stiegelmeier —