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BROOKINGS, S.D. – South Dakota State scored twice in the final minute of the second quarter to break open a first round FCS playoff game against Eastern Illinois as SDSU won 58-10.

SDSU improves to 9-3 overall and will play at No. 1 seed North Dakota State next week in the second round.  EIU finishes the season at 7-5.

Justin Syrovatka knocked home a field goal with one minute left to put SDSU up 27-3 over the Panthers.  As EIU was attempting a punt with 15 seconds left in the half, a bad snap led to a blocked punt which the Jackrabbits recovered inside the five yard line.  Cam Jones caught an 8-yard pass from Austin Sumner as time expired to put SDSU up 34-3 at the half.

Zach Zenner finally broke through for the game's first big play as he side stepped through a hole at the line and raced 68 yards to put the Jackrabbits up 7-0 with 4:27 left in the first quarter.

On the next series an EIU wide receiver slipped on a play as SDSU picked off Jimmy Garoppolo.  The defense was able to hold allowing only a short field goal by Syrovatka. 

EIU opened the second half with a Cameron Berra short field goal to cut the SDSU lead to 10-3.  Zenner scored his second touchdown of the game on a short run with 9:39 left in the second quarter.  The score was set up by a long Zenner run earlier in the drive.  He finished with 295 yards on the day.   SDSU rushed for 424 yards as a team.

EIU scored a touchdown early in the fourth quarter as Chris Wright caught a Garoppolo pass and was tackled inside the five yard line.  Jake Walker had a four yard touchdown run.  Walker had 122 yards rushing for the day.

Garoppolo finished 25-of-41 with 221 yards for EIU while Erik Lora caught 12 passes for 133 yards.