No. 2 South Dakota State just went on the road and absolutely dropped the hammer on No. 10 Illinois State, walking away with a dominant 31-14 win on Saturday, October 3. This wasn’t just a win, it was a statement game, especially with their starting quarterback sidelined.
Holst Steps Up Big Time
The big story here? Starting QB Chase Mason was out for his second straight game. But Josh Holst, making only his second start, looked way more comfortable this time around. He was surgical, completing 18 of 23 passes for 153 yards and tossing two crucial touchdowns. That kind of efficiency from a backup, on the road against a ranked opponent, is just massive. You love to see a guy learn and grow that quickly.
24 Unanswered Points To Seal It
Illinois State never knew what hit them in the second half. South Dakota State ripped off 24 consecutive points, turning a close game into a rout. It started right before halftime with a field goal as the clock hit zero, giving them a boost going into the locker room. Then, late in the third quarter, Holst connected with Greyton Gannon for a touchdown that really swung momentum. But the Jackrabbits weren’t done. Myles Green snagged an interception and took it 31 yards to the house, and then James Basinger broke free for a monster 66-yard rushing touchdown. Game over, lights out. Illinois State was left scratching their heads.
That road victory, beating a top-10 team while your starting QB is out, just screams that No. 2 South Dakota State is for real. This kind of performance sends a clear message across college football about what they are capable of this season.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Yahoo Sports.
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