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PHOTOS: Griz fall to Jackrabbits in FCS Championship, 23-3

by CASEY KREIDER, Daily Inter Lake
| January 7, 2024 5:00 PM

Grizzlies wide receiver Aaron Fontes (14) looks for room to run after a reception in the second quarter against South Dakota State in the FCS National Championship at Toyota Stadium in Frisco, Texas on Sunday, Jan. 7. (Casey Kreider/Daily Inter Lake)

    Grizzlies running back Nick Ostmo (26) is brought down by South Dakota State safety Tucker Large (1) in the first quarter of the FCS National Championship at Toyota Stadium in Frisco, Texas on Sunday, Jan. 7. (Casey Kreider/Daily Inter Lake)
 Casey Kreider 
 
 
    Grizzlies running back Eli Gillman (10) picks up yardage on a run in the first quarter against South Dakota State in the FCS National Championship at Toyota Stadium in Frisco, Texas on Sunday, Jan. 7. (Casey Kreider/Daily Inter Lake)
 Casey Kreider 
 
 
    Grizzlies linebackers Riley Wilson (42), Ryan Tirrell (44) and Braxton Hill (35) stop a run by South Dakota State running back Amar Johnson (3) in the second quarter of the FCS National Championship at Toyota Stadium in Frisco, Texas on Sunday, Jan. 7. (Casey Kreider/Daily Inter Lake)
 Casey Kreider 
 
 
    Grizzlies quarterback Clifton McDowell (17) walks off the field after Montana's 23-3 loss to South Dakota State in the FCS National Championship at Toyota Stadium in Frisco, Texas on Sunday, Jan. 7. (Casey Kreider/Daily Inter Lake)
 Casey Kreider 
 
 
    Grizzlies players walk off the field after Montana's 23-3 loss to South Dakota State in the FCS National Championship at Toyota Stadium in Frisco, Texas on Sunday, Jan. 7. (Casey Kreider/Daily Inter Lake)
 Casey Kreider 
 
 
    South Dakota State wide receiver Jaxon Janke (10) celebrates after a 23-3 win over Montana in the FCS National Championship at Toyota Stadium in Frisco, Texas on Sunday, Jan. 7. (Casey Kreider/Daily Inter Lake)
 Casey Kreider 
 
 
    Grizzlies wide receiver Junior Bergen (5) runs after a reception in the second quarter against South Dakota State in the FCS National Championship at Toyota Stadium in Frisco, Texas on Sunday, Jan. 7. (Casey Kreider/Daily Inter Lake)
 Casey Kreider 
 
 
    Grizzlies cornerback Corbin Walker (8) celebrates after intercepting a pass in the second quarter against South Dakota State in the FCS National Championship at Toyota Stadium in Frisco, Texas on Sunday, Jan. 7. (Casey Kreider/Daily Inter Lake)
 Casey Kreider 
 
 
    Grizzlies cornerback Corbin Walker (8) celebrates after intercepting a pass in the second quarter against South Dakota State in the FCS National Championship at Toyota Stadium in Frisco, Texas on Sunday, Jan. 7. (Casey Kreider/Daily Inter Lake)
 Casey Kreider 
 
 
    Grizzlies cornerback Corbin Walker (8) returns an interception in the second quarter against South Dakota State in the FCS National Championship at Toyota Stadium in Frisco, Texas on Sunday, Jan. 7. (Casey Kreider/Daily Inter Lake)
 Casey Kreider 
 
 
    Grizzlies running back Nick Ostmo (26) is brought down by South Dakota State safety Tucker Large (1) in the first quarter of the FCS National Championship at Toyota Stadium in Frisco, Texas on Sunday, Jan. 7. (Casey Kreider/Daily Inter Lake)
 Casey Kreider 
 
 
    Grizzlies quarterback Clifton McDowell (17) celebrates after a first down in the first quarter against South Dakota State in the FCS National Championship at Toyota Stadium in Frisco, Texas on Sunday, Jan. 7. (Casey Kreider/Daily Inter Lake)
 Casey Kreider 
 
 
    South Dakota State quarterback Mark Gronowski (11) hands off the running back Isaiah Davis (22) in the first quarter against Montana in the FCS National Championship at Toyota Stadium in Frisco, Texas on Sunday, Jan. 7. (Casey Kreider/Daily Inter Lake)
 Casey Kreider 
 
 
    South Dakota State quarterback Mark Gronowski (11) throws in the first quarter against Montana in the FCS National Championship at Toyota Stadium in Frisco, Texas on Sunday, Jan. 7. (Casey Kreider/Daily Inter Lake)
 Casey Kreider 
 
 
    Grizzlies quarterback Clifton McDowell (17) is stopped by South Dakota State safety Tucker Large (1) on a run in the first quarter of the FCS National Championship at Toyota Stadium in Frisco, Texas on Sunday, Jan. 7. (Casey Kreider/Daily Inter Lake)
 Casey Kreider 
 
 
    Grizzlies wide receiver Junior Bergen (5) runs after a reception in the second quarter against South Dakota State in the FCS National Championship at Toyota Stadium in Frisco, Texas on Sunday, Jan. 7. (Casey Kreider/Daily Inter Lake)
 Casey Kreider 
 
 
    Grizzlies wide receiver Junior Bergen (5) runs after a reception in the second quarter against South Dakota State in the FCS National Championship at Toyota Stadium in Frisco, Texas on Sunday, Jan. 7. (Casey Kreider/Daily Inter Lake)
 Casey Kreider 
 
 
    Grizzlies wide receiver Aaron Fontes (14) looks for room to run after a reception in the second quarter against South Dakota State in the FCS National Championship at Toyota Stadium in Frisco, Texas on Sunday, Jan. 7. (Casey Kreider/Daily Inter Lake)
 Casey Kreider 
 
 
    Grizzlies wide receiver Aaron Fontes (14) looks for room to run after a reception in the second quarter against South Dakota State in the FCS National Championship at Toyota Stadium in Frisco, Texas on Sunday, Jan. 7. (Casey Kreider/Daily Inter Lake)
 Casey Kreider 
 
 
    South Dakota State tight end Zach Heins (87) holds on to a reception in the third quarter against Montana in the FCS National Championship at Toyota Stadium in Frisco, Texas on Sunday, Jan. 7. (Casey Kreider/Daily Inter Lake)
 Casey Kreider 
 
 
    South Dakota State wide receiver Jaxon Janke (10) holds on to a reception in the third quarter against Montana in the FCS National Championship at Toyota Stadium in Frisco, Texas on Sunday, Jan. 7. (Casey Kreider/Daily Inter Lake)
 Casey Kreider 
 
 
    Grizzlies quarterback Clifton McDowell (17) is stopped by South Dakota State safety Tucker Large (1) on a run in the first quarter of the FCS National Championship at Toyota Stadium in Frisco, Texas on Sunday, Jan. 7. (Casey Kreider/Daily Inter Lake)
 Casey Kreider 
 
 
    Grizzlies running back Isiah Childs (28) catches a pass during warmups before the FCS National Championship against South Dakota State at Toyota Stadium in Frisco, Texas on Sunday, Jan. 7. (Casey Kreider/Daily Inter Lake)
 Casey Kreider 
 
 
    Glacier High School alum Drew Deck (2) warms up before the start of the FCS National Championship against South Dakota State at Toyota Stadium in Frisco, Texas on Sunday, Jan. 7. (Casey Kreider/Daily Inter Lake)
 Casey Kreider 
 
 
    Montana wide receiver and returner Junior Bergen (5) warms up before the FCS National Championship against South Dakota State at Toyota Stadium in Frisco, Texas on Sunday, Jan. 7. (Casey Kreider/Daily Inter Lake)
 Casey Kreider 
 
 
    Mark Gronowski holds up the championship trophy as South Dakota State celebrates after a 23-3 win over Montana at Toyota Stadium in Frisco, Texas on Sunday, Jan. 7. (Casey Kreider/Daily Inter Lake)
 Casey Kreider 
 
 
    Montana tight end Erik Barker (88) recovers a fumble on a muffed punt return by South Dakota State in the FCS National Championship against South Dakota State at Toyota Stadium in Frisco, Texas on Sunday, Jan. 7. (Casey Kreider/Daily Inter Lake)
 Casey Kreider 
 
 
    Montana quarterback Clifton McDowell (12) throws during the FCS National Championship against South Dakota State at Toyota Stadium in Frisco, Texas on Sunday, Jan. 7. (Casey Kreider/Daily Inter Lake)
 Casey Kreider 
 
 
    Grizzlies wide receiver Junior Bergen (5) looks upfield after a reception in the FCS National Championship against South Dakota State at Toyota Stadium in Frisco, Texas on Sunday, Jan. 7. (Casey Kreider/Daily Inter Lake)
 Casey Kreider