A fixed cutter drill bit for drilling a borehole in earthen formations includes a blank assembly and a matrix crown fixably mounted to the blank assembly. The blank assembly includes an annular mandrel and a plurality of elongate studs fixably coupled to the mandrel. The mandrel has a first end distal the crown and a second end engaging the crown. In addition, the mandrel includes a plurality of bores extending axially from the second end. Each elongate stud has a first end disposed within one of the bores and a second end disposed in the crown distal the mandrel.