BROOKINGS, S.D. -- Zach Zenner ran for 295 yards and three touchdowns Saturday to lead South Dakota State to a 58-10 win over Eastern Illinois in the first round of the FCS playoffs.
The Jackrabbits (9-3), who had six rushing TDs, next face Missouri Valley Football Conference rival North Dakota State (10-1) on Dec. 1 in Fargo, N.D.
Zenner, who carried 33 times, scored on runs of 68, 4 and 7 yards as South Dakota State hosted its first postseason game and won for the first time in three playoff games. Reggie Gandy ran for 151 yards and two touchdowns for SDSU and Cam Jones also scored twice, one on a pass from Austin Sumner.
Jake Walker ran for 125 yards and the only touchdown for Ohio Valley Conference champion Eastern Illinois (7-5). Erik Lora caught 12 passes for 133 yards for the Panthers.
North Dakota State won the national championship last season and is the top seed in this tournament. The Bison beat the Jackrabbits in the regular-season meeting 20-17 in Fargo on Nov. 10.
