VERMILLION – Fifth-ranked South Dakota State turned the ball over four times in falling to in-state rival South Dakota, 24-21, in the regular season finale for both teams Saturday in the South Dakota Showdown Series football game at the DakotaDome in Vermillion.. SDSU finished with a 498-369 advantage in total offense. Quarterback Keaton Heide completed 26-of-35 passes for 308 yards. Mikey Daniel finished with a career-high 125 yards on 17 carries for the Jackrabbits. For USD, quarterback Austin Simmons completed 20-of-32 passes for 252 yards and also led the Coyotes in rushing with 47 yards on 16 carries. USD ends their season with a 5-7 record. The Jackrabbits wrapped up the regular season with an 8-4 overall record, including a 5-3 mark in the Missouri Valley Football Conference. USD recorded its first win in the South Dakota Showdown Series and ended a 10-game losing streak in the overall series that dated back to 2001. SDSU leads the overall series, 54-51-7. SDSU will await its postseason fate until the Football Championship Subdivision playoff field is announced at 11:30 a.m. Sunday on ESPNU.
