South Dakota State football drops road game to Northwestern

Check out the best moments of South Dakota State football vs Stetson in Week 1

South Dakota State had a chance to tie the game in the fourth quarter against Big Ten's Northwestern, but the Jackrabbits couldn't get the game knotted up in a 34-18 loss in Evanston, Illinois.

South Dakota State polished off a nine-play, 75-yard drive in the fourth with a 2-yard Josiah Johnson touchdown run. A Jack Smith pass 2-point attempt was unsuccessful, and Northwestern held a 20-18 lead.

The Wildcats then punched back with a 71-yard drive that ended with a 14-yard QB run from Aidan Chiles, and an 80-yard touchdown run following a missed field goal by SDSU kicker Tristan Alvano iced the game.

South Dakota State scored just the one touchdown in Evanston, with Alvano going 4-for-5 on field goals. The Nebraska transfer hit from 21, 33, 27 and 26, and missed from 38.

Chase Mason went 23-for-48 passing for 285 yards and an interception, while also running the ball 13 times for 39 yards.

Johnson racked up 19 carries for 79 yards and a score and Corey Blair Jr. had seven rushes for 28 yards.

Grahm Goering led the receiving corps with nine grabs for 117 yards, Smith went for 79 yards on five catches and Lofton O'Groske recorded four receptions for 60 yards.

The Jackrabbit defense allowed 497 yards of offense, with Chiles going 14-for-24 for 273 yards and a touchdown and running eight times for 18 yards and a score. Five Wildcats ran for 224 yards and three touchdowns.

South Dakota State is back in action at 6 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 12, at home against New Haven.