Saturday, Oct. 8
#1/1 North Dakota State at Indiana State (ABC ND/ESPN+) — 12:00 P.M. CT
#17/24 Southern Illinois at #20/19 Missouri State (ESPN+) — 2:00 P.M. CT
RV South Dakota at #2/3 South Dakota State (Midco/ESPN+) — 2:00 P.M. CT
Illinois State at UNI (PSN / ESPN+) — 4:00 P.M. CT
#22 North Dakota at RV Youngstown State (Midco/ESPN+) — 5:00 P.M. CT
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North Dakota climbed back into the Stats Perform Top 25 this week after its win against Missouri State on Oct. 1, giving the MVFC five ranked teams in that poll. North Dakota State and South Dakota State continue to hold the top two spots.
When Southern Illinois faces Missouri State on Saturday, it will mark the 214th time two ranked MVFC teams have played one another. In the first 213 such-meetings the home team is 123-89 and the higher-ranked team is 132-81 in the previous meetings. (Rankings are based on appearance in either the Stats Perform or AFCA poll; the numbers above also include one neutral site game.)
What’s The Score?
Fullback Hunter Luepke of North Dakota State has scored 10 touchdowns in five NDSU games this year. His 10 total scores tie him for third in the FCS.
On Purpose
Youngstown State’s Jaleel McLaughlin ranks third in the FCS by averaging 170.5 all-purpose yards per game.
Running Game
North Dakota State ranks fifth in the FCS by averaging 257.8 yards per game on the ground.
Top Defenses
Two MVFC schools rank in the Top 9 in the FCS in rushing yards allowed per game. South Dakota State ranks third nationally, yielding only 50.6 yards per game (253 total yards in five contests). Southern Illinois is also under 100 yards per contest, as the Salukis surrender just 88.4 yards on the ground per game. Meanwhile, three league teams rank in the Top 13 in total defense, led by SDSU (5th/246.4 ypg); NDSU (7th/269.8 ypg) and Illinois State (13th/296.2 ypg).
