North Dakota
How to watch and what to know about South Dakota State football at North Dakota
South Dakota State continues its North Central Convention reunion tour on Saturday with a visit to Grand Forks, the place the Jacks will take the sector because the No. 1 group within the nation for the primary time in program historical past.
And the Combating Hawks would love nothing greater than to make the Jacks’ keep on the prime of the polls a brief one.
With UND preventing for their very own playoff lives and coming off a bye, the Jacks can’t afford to exhale after consecutive rivalry wins over South Dakota and North Dakota State. They’ve acquired to rise to the problem once more.
“I feel it’s actually essential (to remain centered),” mentioned Jacks defensive deal with Caleb Sanders. “Particularly with the lengthy season now we have and not using a bye week (the Jacks’ open date is the ultimate week of the common season). Each week is essential to verify we’re retaining our foot on the pedal, getting higher every single day.”
Extra:South Dakota State’s Tucker Kraft is again. And that is unhealthy information for Missouri Valley Soccer Convention groups
Mentioned Bison coach Bubba Schweigert: “We’ve acquired to have the ability to deal with the second. I’ll give our guys credit score – we’ve dealt with loads of moments up thus far and achieved an excellent job with that. However this one we’ll must do an excellent job once more.”
SOUTH DAKOTA STATE (6-1) AT NORTH DAKOTA (4-2)
WHEN/WHERE: 3 p.m. Saturday on the Alerus Middle in Grand Forks, N.D.
TV: Midco Sports activities Community
ONLINE: ESPN+ and Midco Sports activities Plus
RADIO: WNAX-AM 570; Jackrabbit radio associates
COACHES: SDSU – John Stiegelmeier (26th yr, 191-112); UND – Bubba Schweigert (9th yr, 51-42)
SERIES: UND leads 47-35-5
LAST TIME: SDSU received 24-21 final yr in Brookings
LAST WEEK: SDSU beat North Dakota State 23-21; UND was idle
RANKINGS: SDSU is ranked No. 1; UND is No. 20
About College of North Dakota Combating Hawks
It’s simple to overlook now, however within the Division II days, North Dakota was just about the equal of North Dakota State – they have been the 2 powerhouses of the NCC. This system previously referred to as the Combating Sioux received eight NCC titles between 1993 and 2006, and have been Division II nationwide champions in 2001.
Their transition to Division I has been largely profitable, with a Nice West convention title in 2011, a Huge Sky title in 2016 and a share of the 2021 spring season championship. They’ve been to the FCS playoffs thrice (2016, 2019, 2020/21). The Hawks have been 5-6 final yr, and are a sport behind SDSU for first place within the Valley this season.
Extra:After large Dakota Marker win, time for No. 1 South Dakota State soccer to complete the job
The Hawks opened the season with a 38-17 loss to Nebraska by which they have been tied late within the third quarter. They’ve shut wins over Northern Iowa, Northern Arizona and Youngstown State, suffered a 34-17 loss at Southern Illinois, and put a formidable beatdown on Missouri State, getting back from down 21-10 to win 48-31.
The Hawks offense has been stable, rating third within the convention with 28.8 factors per sport and fifth in complete offense at 372.2. However their protection has struggled, permitting 30.7 factors and a quarter mile a sport. They’ve been particularly prone to the go, permitting almost 290 yards by means of the air.
The Jacks are a lot acquainted with veteran quarterback Tommy Schuster, who’s finishing 69 p.c of his passes for 1,425 yards and eight touchdowns with two picks, whereas Tyler Hoosman has emerged as a dashing weapon, with 473 yards (fifth within the convention) and 7 touchdowns.
Ben McNaboe has 4.5 sacks for the UND protection.
The Hawks are 2-0 at residence this yr and have received 17 of their final 18 within the Alerus Middle. SDSU’s final win there got here in 2013. Previous to that, the one South Dakota group ever to win there was USF, in 2009. The Cougars have been defending NAIA nationwide champions that yr, and received it once more after upsetting UND.
In regards to the South Dakota State Jackrabbits
SDSU is coming off a win of their largest sport of the yr; now they need to keep away from the proverbial letdown.
That UND is an effective group makes that essential sufficient. That they’re coming off a bye week provides the Hawks much more of a possible benefit.
Extra:South Dakota State soccer is new No. 1 in FCS for first time in class historical past
That mentioned, SDSU was sensible within the second half in opposition to the Bison final week, overcoming a two-score halftime deficit to outscore the Bison 16-0 within the second half within the Fargodome. That got here one week after a completely environment friendly effort in a 28-3 win over USD.
The Jacks’ protection struggled mightily in opposition to the go within the first half in opposition to NDSU, and the Hawks doubtless took observe of that, however SDSU made changes within the second half and absolutely will go into this one ready for UND to attempt to beat them by means of the air.
The Jacks are getting NFL-bound tight finish Tucker Kraft again this week from an extended damage absence, however working again Isaiah Davis (who’s second within the Valley with 740 dashing yards) is questionable after hurting his shoulder in Fargo. The Jacks are hopeful he can play, whereas linebacker Jason Freeman, security Chase Norblade and receiver Landon Wolf may be again this week.