Cowboys to Open 2024 against Reigning FCS Champions South Dakota State

With most of its stars set to return, Oklahoma State should be set to hit the ground running in 2024. And they’d better.

South Dakota State just raised the FCS championship trophy on Sunday. The Jackrabbits will play their next game in Stillwater.

The Cowboys and Jackrabbits will square off in Week 1 of 2024, the two teams’ first every meeting. Mike Gundy is 13-0 against FCS teams, but this isn’t your normal FCS team.

South Dakota State defeated Montana 23-3 in the FCS Championship game Sunday, capping a 15-0 season and winning their second straight title. The Jackrabbits will ride a 29-0 winning streak into Boone Pickens Stadium when the show up on Aug. 31.

Quarterback Mark Gronowski, who recently won the Walter Payton Award for top offensive player in the FCS, is a junior so should be set to lead the Jackrabbits next season, unless he decides to test the NFL Draft waters. Either way, SDSU is an FCS powerhouse. The Pokes will need to be ready to play in Week 1.

OSU got off to a rough start in 2023, in a large part because the Cowboys hadn’t established a starting quarterback or running back. Those questions should be answered with Doak Walker winner Ollie Gordon and starting QB Alan Bowman announcing their returns.

To help, OSU will also return its starting offensive line, leading receiver Brennan Presley and a handful of other playmakers that helped the Cowboys get to a 10-win season and the Big 12 title game.

Here’s a look at OSU’s full nonconference slate:

South Dakota State | Aug. 31
Arkansas | Sept. 7
at Tulsa | Sept. 14