During last Friday’s press conference, South Dakota State head coach John Stiegelmeier reflected on his team’s loss in the national title game back in May of 2021 to Sam Houston and admitted to media members “We stayed on the field and watched the trophy presentation. It was a decision our players made ... in the end it got to their hearts.”
That moment was the one that undoubtedly served as a springboard to what transpired in Toyota Stadium on Sunday afternoon. This time the Jackrabbits, many of whom were on that 2021 team, were crying again but not tears of sadness.