Sycamores welcome #2/3 South Dakota State for weekend matchup

FB Preview | Sycamores welcome #2/3 South Dakota State for weekend matchup

 

TERRE HAUTE, Ind. – Indiana State returns home following its two game swing at Northwestern and at Eastern Kentucky as the Sycamores prepare to start Missouri Valley Football Conference play on Saturday, September 25, against No. 2/3 South Dakota State. Kickoff between the Sycamores and the Jackrabbits is set for 1:05 p.m. ET and will be carried live on ESPN+ and WZJK 105.5 FM.

 

Game Day Information and Activities
Game Day Sponsor: Bob Bowen Ford
Bob Bowen Ford, Inc. is your trusted Ford dealership in Brazil and the reason why our loyal customers keep coming back. We offer an extensive new and pre-owned inventory, as well as lease specials, finance options and expert auto service. We are dedicated to providing exceptional customer service and being an integral part of our community. We look forward to seeing you soon!

Student Giveaway: The Forest will be providing a game-day giveaway at Memorial Stadium on Saturday afternoon during the second half. If the student body fills out the first 24 rows of Section H by halftime, they will be eligible to enter a raffle for a chance to win a free Amazon Fire Stick. The winner will be announced early in the fourth quarter.

Updated Tailgating and Clear Bag Policies
Indiana State Athletics announced updated tailgating and clear bag policies for the 2021-22 athletic year in early August. The policies are consistent with other members in both the Missouri Valley Conference and Missouri Valley Football Conference. To find out more, click here.

Sycamore Athletics Lands New Flagship Radio Home
Indiana State has found a new home radio station. Sycamore Athletics and DLC Media have reached a three-year agreement to bring ISU sports to 105.5 FM. To see more, click here.

Football Season Tickets Still on Sale/Mobile Ticketing
Indiana State football season ticket membership renewals and new season ticket memberships are now on sale for the 2021 season. Season tickets start at just $50 for adults and $20 for youth. Faculty, staff, seniors and members of the I-Club can purchase tickets for just $45 while Family Packs are available for just $140. Chairback rentals are available for $20. To find out more, click here.

 

Weekly Notes

Finishing Nonconference on a High Note

Indiana State made sure to finish the 2021 nonconference season on a high note as the Sycamores went 2-1 outside of Missouri Valley Football play this fall. The Sycamores went 2-0 against FCS competition with wins over Eastern Illinois and at Eastern Kentucky, while their lone loss came against FBS Northwestern to wrap up the schedule. Overall, the Sycamores had three players receive conference player of the week recognition over the first three games, including two (Phazione McClurge – Newcomer, Hunter Lunsford – Special Teams) in this past weekend’s 23-21 thriller at Eastern Kentucky. It marked the first time since the 2018 season that Indiana State finished nonconference play with a winning record.

 

Starting the Gauntlet

The Missouri Valley Football Conference traditionally has dominated the FCS landscape and this season is no exception. The MVFC featured three teams in the top-10 in both major polls last weekend, while seven different teams overall were listed in either the top-25 or receiving votes heading into the start of conference play. The first opponent for the 2021 conference schedule is the defending national runner-ups in South Dakota State.  The Jackrabbits sit in the top-3 in both FCS national polls and jumpstart the Sycamores’ gauntlet of conference competition with multiple teams looking to make their mark and earn a berth into the postseason.

 

Sycamores claim two MVFC Weekly Honors

Phazione McClurge and Hunter Lunsford added to the Indiana State conference honors this week as the Sycamores duo took home the Newcomer and the Special Teams Player of the Week as announced by the conference office. McClurge hauled in a pair of touchdowns, including the game-winning 24-yard TD catch as time expired in the 23-21 win over EKU. Lunsford put the first points on the board for Indiana State as he hopped on a loose ball in the end zone following a muffed snap on an EKU punt to stake the Sycamores to the early lead. The duo join Michael Thomas (Week 1 – Defense) in earning MVFC weekly recognition in the 2021 season.

 

Series Matchup

South Dakota State leads the all-time matchup between the two teams dating back to the inaugural contest in the 2008 season. The Sycamores won back-to-back contests in 2010 and 2011, but South Dakota State has won each of the last six games, including the last matchup between the two teams in the 2019 season, 42-23.

 

First Three

October 25, 2008 – vs South Dakota State – L, 49-9

September 19, 2009 – at South Dakota State – L, 41-0

October 30, 2010 – vs South Dakota State – W, 41-30

 

Last Three

October 10, 2015 – at South Dakota State – L, 24-7

October 6, 2018 – at South Dakota State – L, 54-51

October 19, 2019 – vs South Dakota State – L, 42-23

 

On This Date

Indiana State has played in nine games on September 25 in program history and has posted a 4-5 overall record on the date with the last time coming in the 2010 season at Western Illinois

 

On This Date

1937 – Valparaiso – L, 13-0

1943 – Bowman Field – L, 12-0

1948 – Eastern Illinois, W, 21-20

1954 – Valparaiso – L, 20-13

1965 – Valparaiso – W, 24-21

1971 – Evansville – W, 21-13

1976 – Dayton – L, 20-14

1982 – Ball State – W, 17-0

1993 – Missouri State – L, 31-21

2010 – at Western Illinois – L, 40-7

 

Scouting the Opponent

South Dakota State has been one of the Missouri Valley’s premier teams over the last decade with the Jackrabbits winning at least eight games every season dating back to 2011. South Dakota State parlayed that success into a strong postseason run in the 2020-21 season with the Jackrabbits making it all the way to the FCS National Championship Game before falling to Sam Houston State in Frisco, Texas.

 

The Jackrabbits were expected to continue their recent strong surge this season with South Dakota State picked to finish atop the league standings in the preseason poll. SDSU received 454 total points and 24 first-place votes as voted on in the poll by the league’s head coaches, media, and sports information directors. SDSU returned 10 offensive starters and 10 defensive starters to the roster after this past spring’s postseason run.

 

South Dakota State placed 12 players on the MVFC Preseason All-Conference team finishing just behind Southern Illinois (13) in players earning recognition. Running back Pierre Strong Jr. highlights the Jackrabbits’ offensive returners and was a preseason Walter Payton Award Watch List honoree, while linebacker Logan Backhaus is among the top defensive players returning and was selected to the Buck Buchanan Award Watch List.

 

Through two games this season, the Jackrabbits have lived up to their billing with a 42-33 win over FBS Colorado State in the opener, while topping Lindenwood 52-7 two weeks ago in the SDSU home opener. South Dakota State has an additional nonconference matchup on October 2 against Dixie State in the game labeled as the “Beef Bowl” that will be played at Dykhouse Stadium.