South Dakota State earned its second consecutive national championship by pulling away from Montana in the second half for a 23-3 win on January 7, 2024.
The Jackrabbits have now won 29 games in a row. Montana’s season ended with a 13-2 record that included a 10-game winning streak leading up to the championship game, the 8th in Griz history and the fourth under 12-year head coach Bobby Hauck.
Skyline Sports co-founder and senior photographer Brooks Nuanez was in Frisco, Texas to photograph all the action.
Montana head coach Bobby Hauckbefore his fourth national title game appearance/by Brooks NuanezMontana senior captain center A.J. Forbeswas a three year starter for Montana/by Brooks NuanezMontana senior quarterback Clifton McDowell, the Big Sky Conference Newcomer of the Year/by Brooks Nuanez
South Dakota State faithful before the 2023 national title game /by Brooks Nuanez
Montana senior captain Levi Janacaro leads out the Griz/by Brooks Nuanez
Clifton McDowell went 22-of-39 for 165 yards against SoutH Dakota State/by Brooks NuanezSouth Dakota State All-American linebacker Adam Bock tackles Montana stud freshman Eli Gilman at the goal line on a 4th down and goal to go to end UM’s first possession with no points/by Brooks NuanezMontana senior cornerback Corbin Walker picked off South Dakota State Walter Payton Award winning quarterback Mark Gronowski in the first quarter/by Brooks NuanezCorbin Walker during his interception return against South Dakota State/by Brooks NuanezMontana junior tight end Erik Barker recovered a fumbled punt that bounced off the back of a South Dakota State player, giving UM its second takeaway of the first half/by Brooks NuanezMontana junior wide receiver Junior Bergen had four catches for 25 yards//by Brooks Nuanez
Montana sophomore edge linebacker Riley Wilson rushes Mark Gronowski/by Brooks NuanezMark Gronowski was the FCS title game Player of the Game for the second year in a row, joining Brock Jensen and Carson Wentz of North Dakota State as the only players to earn the award twice/by Brooks NuanezMontana junior Xavier Harris had two carries for 15 yards/by Brooks NuanezAccording to the ABC broadcast team, Clifton McDowell suffered a lower leg injury in the first half/ by Brooks NuanezGronowski, pictured here getting past Riley Wilson, had 53 rushing yards/ by Brooks NuanezMontana linebackers Braxton Hill (35) and Ryan Tirrell (44) converge upon South Dakota State All-American Isaiah Davis/by Brooks NuanezSouth Dakota State nickelback Isaiah Stalbird was a game-wrecker for the Jackrabbits/ by Brooks NuanezSouth Dakota State senior Jadon Janke finished with five catches, 55 yards and a touchdown, including this leaping catch against a trailing Trajon Cotton/by Brooks NuanezMontana junior safety Jaxon Lee coming off the edge on a blitz/by Brooks NuanezSouth Dakota State sophomore safety Tucker Large (1) smacks Montana’s Junior Bergen/ by Brooks NuanezMontana senior Levi Janacaro rushes Mark Gronowski/ by Brooks NuanezSouth Dakota State senior All-American Isaiah Davis jukes Montana junior cornerback Trevin Gradney/by Brooks NuanezSouth Dakota State senior tight end Zac Heins caught this pass during a pivotal touchdown drive in the third quarter that helped the Jackrabbits pull away from Montana/ by Brooks NuanezSouth Dakota State first-year head coach Jimmy Rogers shakes hands with Montana 12th-year head coach Bobby Hauck/ by Brooks NuanezMark Gronowski hoists the national championship trophy for the second year in a row with All-American left tackle Garrett Greenfield looking on/ by Brooks NuanezSouth Dakota State senior linebacker Adam Bock kisses the trophy with Isaiah Davis (left) looking on/ by Brooks NuanezSouth Dakota State offensive lineman Garrett Greenfield/ by Brooks NuanezSouth Dakota State head coach Jimmy Rogers hoists the trophy with (from left) Garrett Greenfield, Mark Gronowski, Mason McCormick and Isaiah Stalbird surrounding him/ by Brooks Nuanez
Brooks Nuanez, Director of Operations — Brooks is the co-founder, senior photographer and Director of Operations for Skyline Sports.
He is a life-long athlete who enjoys the fierce nature of sports as much as he enjoys the sweet harmony of music. Brooks first gained an interest for photography at a young age, and grew that passion into a craft. Brooks has spent most of his life in Montana, instilling a love for the mountains and the wildlife.
The University of Montana alum spent three seasons as a safety for the Grizzly football team while earning a degree in business management, honing his passion for fine wine & craft beer, and his entrepreneurial spirit. In July of 2015, Brooks married his lifelong love, Kaila.
Brooks currently works as a regional sales manager for George's Distributing. He and Kaila live happily in Missoula with their sons Ellis (6) and Leo (3).
Brooks can be reached at Brooks.nuanez@gmail.com and followed on Twitter @Brooksnuanez and @SkylineSportsMT.
