SPRINGFIELD, Missouri — In a decisive victory, Mark Gronowski accomplished a passing performance of 258 yards along with two touchdown passes, while Amar Johnson contributed with two touchdowns of his own, leading South Dakota State to a significant 45-9 win over Missouri State on Saturday. This triumph enabled South Dakota State to share the regular-season title in the Missouri Valley Football Conference.

With this latest outcome and North Dakota State’s defeat to South Dakota, a three-way tie has been established for the Missouri Valley Football Conference title, with the Bison, Coyotes, and Jackrabbits all concluding the season with an identical record of 10-2 and 7-1 in conference play.

Missouri State, which had been averaging an impressive 37 points per game, faced a tough competition in what marked their final game as a member of the Missouri Valley Football Conference. The Bears are set to move to Conference USA and transition to the FBS level in 2025. Their 2024 season will commence on August 30, with an away game against Southern Cal.