The South Dakota State football team closed out its nonconference season with a 70-7-win Saturday playing at Target Field in Minneapolis.
The Jackrabbits now have a chance to shift their focus to the Missouri Valley Football Conference portion of the schedule. After a bye this week, the Yellow and Blue will play eight games in consecutive weeks to round out their regular season.
Below is a look at each of the Jacks’ remaining matchups pointing out some key things about each game as well as the basic information you need to know. Keep in mind, some of this information, rankings and records, may change as the season progresses.
v. No. 14 North Dakota Fighting Hawks (Precision Ag Bowl)
When/Where: 2 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 23 at Dana J. Dykhouse Stadium in Brookings
How to Watch/Listen: Midco Sports or ESPN+ / KSDJ 90.7 or Jackrabbit Sports Network Affiliates
Last Time: South Dakota State beat North Dakota 49-35 in Grand Forks in 2022.
The Lead: The Fighting Hawks are coming off their best season in the Valley, going 7-5 and making the playoffs for the second time since joining the conference in 2020. Now ranked 14th in the country, UND is looking to make a statement against the defending champs proving they belong in the top half of the conference.
@ RV Illinois State Redbirds
When/Where: 6 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 7 at Hancock Stadium in Normal, Illinois
How to Watch/Listen: ESPN+ / Jackrabbit Sports Network Affiliates
Last Time: South Dakota State beat Illinois State 31-7 in Brookings in 2022.
The Lead: The Redbirds are off to a good start in 2023 sitting with a 2-1 start to the season. Their only loss was 14-13 to rival Eastern Illinois after an extra point bounced off the upright. ISU went 6-5 overall, 4-4 in the Valley, last year finishing sixth in the conference standings and missing the playoffs.
v. RV Northern Iowa Panthers (Hobo Day)
When/Where: 2 p.m. Saturday Oct. 14 at Dana J. Dykhouse Stadium in Brookings
How to Watch/Listen: Midco Sports or ESPN+ / KSDJ 90.7 or Jackrabbit Sports Network Affiliates
Last Time: South Dakota State beat Northern Iowa 31-28 in Cedar Falls, Iowa in 2022.
The Lead: Narrowly missing out on the playoffs a year ago, the Panthers have begun 2023 with a few tough games. Their two losses were handed to them by FBS Iowa State and then ninth ranked, now eighth ranked, Weber State. UNI plays the Jacks on Hobo Day and has had a history of being a tough opponent for the Jacks.
@ No. 13 Southern Illinois Salukis
When/Where: 2 p.m. Saturday Oct. 21 at Saluki Stadium in Carbondale, Illinois
How to Watch/Listen: ESPN+ / Jackrabbit Sports Network Affiliates
Last Time: South Dakota State lost to Southern Illinois 41-42 in overtime in Brookings in 2021.
The Lead: The only team on the schedule to have beaten the Jacks in their previous matchup, the Salukis are off to a great start this season currently sitting at 3-0. Their most recent win came at the annual ‘War for the Wheel’ game against No. 13 SEMO 26-25. SIU will look to make it two consecutive wins against the top team in the FCS.
@ South Dakota Coyotes (South Dakota Showdown Series)
When/Where: 1 p.m. Saturday Oct. 28 at The DakotaDome in Vermillion
How to Watch/Listen: Midco Sports or ESPN+ / KSDJ 90.7 or Jackrabbit Sports Network Affiliates
Last Time: South Dakota State beat South Dakota 28-3 in Brookings in 2022.
The Lead: The Jacks and Yotes will meet in the annual South Dakota Showdown Series matchup. This year it is in Vermillion at The DakotaDome, which is the site of the infamous Hail Mary in 2021. After a blowout a year ago, USD is ready to get one back on the Champs.
v. North Dakota State Bison (Dakota Marker)
When/Where: 2 p.m. Saturday Nov. 4 at Dana J. Dykhouse Stadium in Brookings
How to Watch/Listen: Midco Sports or ESPN+ / KSDJ 90.7 or Jackrabbit Sports Network Affiliates
Last Time: South Dakota State beat North Dakota State 45-21 in Frisco, Texas in the FCS National Championship game in 2023.
The Lead: A national championship rematch will be happening at the Dana J. Dykhouse in early November. The Jacks have had the upper hand in the last three Dakota Marker matchups and were the victors in the championship game earlier this year. The Bison are looking for their first win against their rival since 2019.
@ Youngstown State Penguins
When/Where: 11 a.m. (CT) Saturday Nov. 11 at Stambaugh Stadium in Youngstown, Ohio
How to Watch/Listen: ESPN+ / Jackrabbit Sports Network Affiliates
Last Time: South Dakota State beat Youngstown State 47-16 in Youngstown, Ohio in 2021.
The Lead: The Penguins will face off against SDSU for the first time in two years. They are off to a 2-1 start with their only loss to in-state opponent FBS Ohio State. YSU will be making a push for the playoffs after finishing third in the conference last season.
v. Missouri State (Senior Day)
When/Where: 2 p.m. Saturday Nov. 18 at Dana J. Dykhouse Stadium in Brookings
How to Watch/Listen: Midco Sports or ESPN+ / KSDJ 90.7 or Jackrabbit Sports Network Affiliates
Last Time: South Dakota State beat Missouri State 28-14 in Springfield, Missouri in 2022.
The Lead: The Bears are off to a slow start in 2023 after a 5-6 season a year ago. MSU is 0-2 with losses to FBS Kansas 17-48 and unranked UT Martin 31-38. With a new head coach, the Bears will be looking for a win to finish off the regular season in Brookings.
