North Dakota
Iowa football early opponent preview: South Dakota State
Jackrabbits coming off back-to-back years with deep FCS postseason runs
South Dakota State quarterback Chris Oladokun (6) arms off to working again Isaiah Davis (22) in warmups earlier than taking part in Montana State within the semifinals of the FCS playoffs, Saturday, Dec. 18, 2021, in Bozeman, Mont. (AP Picture/Tommy Martino)
Editor’s be aware: That is first in a 12-part sequence previewing Iowa soccer’s 2022 opponents.
For the primary time since beating Northern Iowa 38-14 in 2018, Iowa soccer can be getting ready for an FCS opponent this yr — South Dakota State on Sept. 3 at Kinnick Stadium.
2016 serves as a cautionary story, when North Dakota State got here to Kinnick and pulled off a 23-21 upset of the then-No. 13 Hawkeyes.
When South Dakota State arrives in Iowa Metropolis for the Hawkeyes’ Sept. 3 season opener, it’ll doubtless be one of many higher FCS groups Iowa has seen.
Within the delayed 2020 season, the Jackrabbits reached the FCS championship after which misplaced, 23-21, to Sam Houston. Two of SDSU’s three playoff wins got here by 28 or extra factors.
Then in 2021, SDSU reached the semifinals earlier than dropping to Montana State. Its regular-season wins included a 42-23 rout of Colorado State — the identical workforce Iowa defeated, 24-14 — and FCS standard-bearer North Dakota State.
Waiting for 2022, the Jackrabbits have three gamers — working again Isaiah Davis, tight finish Tucker Kraft and offensive lineman Mason McCormick — who earned preseason All-America recognition from Athlon Sports activities.
That’s tied for probably the most within the FCS this yr with North Dakota State and Montana.
Iowa vs. South Dakota State: 3 issues to look at for
- How does SDSU’s speeding assault fare towards Iowa’s skilled defensive entrance? The run-heavy Jackrabbits can be going up towards a defensive entrance with all however one starter coming back from final yr. SDSU’s beginning working again from final yr, Pierre Robust was chosen within the NFL Draft, however Davis is one other potent weapon within the backfield.
- Iowa’s beginning quarterback vs. SDSU’s secondary. The Sept. 3 season opener can be Iowa’s first substantial bellwether for the quarterback place after its 2021 shortcomings. Whereas SDSU’s secondary hasn’t acquired the identical preseason accolades that its offense has acquired, the Jackrabbits have loads of expertise on the place. SDSU had 21 interceptions final yr, and 18 got here from gamers who nonetheless are on the 2022 roster.
- SDSU’s journey to Iowa Metropolis can be a homecoming for some gamers. Linebacker Adam Bock and extensive receiver A.J. Coons are from Solon, and extensive receiver Grahm Goering is an Iowa Metropolis West grad.
2022 prognosis
South Dakota State has the potential to be pesky, however on the finish of the day, it’s nonetheless an FCS opponent. When rating Iowa’s most tough opponents in 2022, SDSU is arguably eleventh out of 12 groups.
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