For Immediate Release Oct. 21, 2019 Mike Kern

Illinois State • Indiana State • Missouri State • North Dakota State • Northern Iowa South Dakota • South Dakota State • Southern Illinois • Western Illinois • Youngstown State

1818 Chouteau Ave. • St. Louis, MO 63103 • (314) 444-4326 • (314) 435-4779 [Kern cell]

2019 Valley Football Standings (thru Saturday, Oct. 19) Schedule/Results MVFC Points Overall Points Saturday, Oct. 19 Team W-L Pct. For Opp W-L Pct. For Opp H A Stk. #3 South Dakota State 43, Indiana State 23 North Dakota State 3-0 1.000 105 17 7-0 1.000 274 72 4-0 2-0 W28 #10 Illinois State 28, Western Illinois 14 South Dakota State 3-0 1.000 108 61 6-1 .857 248 109 4-0 2-1 W6 Southern Illinois 35, #18 Youngstown State 10 Illinois State 2-1 .667 52 58 5-2 .714 165 126 2-1 3-1 W2 #1 North Dakota State 22, Missouri State 0 Northern Iowa 2-1 .667 77 87 4-3 .571 167 165 4-0 0-3 W1 South Dakota 2-1 .667 110 52 3-4 .429 207 212 1-2 2-2 L1 #14 UNI 42, South Dakota 27 Southern Illinois 1-2 .333 52 59 3-4 .429 179 178 2-1 1-3 W1 Indiana State 1-2 .333 43 90 3-4 .429 130 169 3-2 0-2 L1 Saturday, Oct. 26 Missouri State 1-2 .333 47 98 1-5 .167 100 228 0-2 1-3 L2 Western Illinois at RV Youngstown State Youngstown State 0-3 .000 52 94 4-3 .571 230 168 3-1 0-2 L3 Western Illinois 0-3 .000 55 85 0-7 .000 123 210 0-4 0-3 L9 Youngstown, OH • 2 p.m. ET [ESPN+] Indiana State at #7 Illinois State [HC] Normal, IL • 2 p.m. CT [ESPN3] #11 UNI at Missouri State [HC] News/Notes Springfield, MO • 2 p.m. CT [ESPN+] • • Media Services • • #1 North Dakota State at #3 South Dakota State Players of the Week College GameDay at SDSU Brookings, SD • 2 p.m. CT [NBC ND/Midco/E+] Each week a panel will select players of College GameDay will be headed to RV Southern Illinois at South Dakota the week for offense, defense, newcomer, Brookings, SD, for the Dakota Marker game Vermillion, SD • 4 p.m. CT [Midco/ESPN+] offensive line and special teams. between North Dakota State and South Da- kota State this Saturday. It marks the ninth MVFC Media Vault time the iconic ESPN show has traveled to On the Air This Week By Wednesday of each week, the league an FCS site -- the third time it has visited an All five league games Saturday, Oct. 26, will collect school weekly coach press con- MVFC school. can be seen on either ESPN+ or ESPN3. The ferences (audio/video links) and PDF links It marks the third time the featured site/ Conference will produce and air the Indiana to weekly notes in the MVFC Media Vault. game will involve two ranked FCS schools, State at Illinois State game on ESPN3 (2 pm but it’s the first time both FCS schools are CT). Brad Wells, Danan Hughes and Kelly ranked in the Top 10 in the polls. Burke call the action from Hancock Stadium. Statistics All four other league games can be viewed Interactive school and league statistics Nov. 16, 2002: Harvard at Penn are available, courtesy of the league’s part- Nov. 26, 2005: Southern vs. Grambling State on ESPN+. nership with SIDEARM. Nov. 15, 2008: Hampton at Florida A&M Sept. 21, 2013: Delaware State at #1 NDSU Sept. 13, 2014: Incarnate Word at #1 NDSU Weekly Features Nov. 22, 2014: Yale at #14 Harvard The league produces weekly video Oct. 24, 2015: #11 Richmond at #4 James Madison segments (Two Minute Drill and The Extra Oct. 14, 2017: #11 Villanova at #1 James Madison Point) and a bimonthly audio podcast (First Oct. 26, 2019: #1 NDSU at #3 SDSU and Goal). Each is available by visiting the league’s web site (valleyfootball.org) - under MVFC Celebrates the Multimedia tab on the main menu bar. 35th & 150th ® The 2019 season is an anniversary for the Missouri www.valley-football.org Valley Football Conference as it celebrates its facebook.com/ValleyFootball 35th birthday this year (founded in 1985 as @valleyfootball • @FCS_Insider the Gateway Conference). The 2019 season @ESPNCFB • @NCAA_FCS also is an anniversary season for college @FCS_STATS • @HeroSportsNews football as its celebrates its 150th birthday. #MVFC_35 #FCS_CFB150 League schools will be donning a CFB150 patch on uniforms this year. 2019 Missouri Valley Football Conference Weekly Release (Oct. 21)

vs. Non-Conference (21-18) Ranked vs. Ranked 4 MVFC Teams Ranked There have been 177 games in which two Two-time defending national champ North Home: 15-6 / Away: 4-12 / Neut: 2-0 MVFC teams ranked in the top 25 played Dakota State headlines a list of four MVFC NCAA FCS Teams (20-10) one another. Of the previous 177 games, 46 teams who appear in the polls this week. times the meeting involved teams that were Big Sky...... 6-4 Team STATS AFCA Massey Sagarin UC Davis...... 1-0 both ranked in the Top 10 at the same time. NDSU 1 1 1 1 Idaho State...... 1-0 Ten meetings have occurred in the playoffs. SDSU 3 3 2 3 Montana...... 0-1 The home team is 103-73, while the higher- ILS 8 7 12 11 Montana State...... 0-1 ranked team is 112-65. One game (between Northern Arizona...... 1-1 UNI 11 12 9 6 Northern Colorado...... 1-0 Illinois State and North Dakota State in Fris- YSU RV RV 30 19 Southern Utah...... 2-0 co, Texas, on Jan. 10, 2015) was played at a SIU RV -- 33 24 Weber State...... 0-1 neutral site. The last time two MVFC teams USD -- -- 34 16 Big South...... 0-2 ranked in the Top 3 played one another was INS -- -- 55 45 Kennesaw State...... 0-1 MSU -- -- 76 68 North Alabama...... 0-1 on Sept. 29, 2018. That’s happened three WIU -- -- 101 86 CAA Football...... 1-0 previous times in MVFC history. Delaware...... 1-0 Massey Rankings, Team Leaders (Top 12) Independents...... 1-0 MVFC -- Two Top-3 Teams vs. Each Other North Dakota...... 1-0 1. North Dakota State 10/29/11 #2 UNI at #3 NDSU NDSU, 27-19 Mid-Eastern Athletic...... 1-0 2. South Dakota State Howard...... 1-0 10/6/12 #3 YSU at #1 NDSU NDSU, 48-7 3. James Madison Northeast...... 3-0 9/29/18 #3 SDSU at #1 NDSU NDSU, 21-17 4. Sacramento State Duquesne...... 1-0 5. Montana Long Island...... 1-0 Winning Against No. 1 6. Dartmouth Robert Morris...... 1-0 Ohio Valley...... 4-2 When North Dakota State knocked off 7. Princeton Eastern Illinois...... 2-0 top-ranked and previously unbeaten James 8. Weber State Eastern Kentucky...... 1-0 Madison in the 2017 FCS title game, It 9. UNI 10. Villanova SE Missouri State...... 0-1 marked the 17th time an MVFC member UT Martin...... 1-0 11. UC Davis Tennessee Tech...... 0-1 had recorded a win vs. the nation’s top-rated 12. Illinois State Pioneer Football...... 3-1 team (nine of those 17 wins were against a Butler...... 1-0 fellow league member). South Dakota State Among conferences, the MVFC is the Dayton...... 0-1 Drake...... 1-0 beat No. 1 North Dakota State in 2016, and top-rated league in the FCS (Sagarin), and Morehead State...... 1-0 the Jackrabbits are 1-8 all-time against top- four MVFC schools are in the Top 11. SoCon...... 1-0 ranked teams while an MVFC member. Sagarin Rankings, Team Leaders (FCS) Samford...... 1-0 Southland...... 0-1 Year Team Opponent 1. North Dakota State Houston Baptist...... 0-1 1992 Eastern Illinois UNI~ 2. James Madison (CAA) 1993 Illinois State Youngstown State 3. South Dakota State NCAA FBS Teams (1-8) 1997 UNI Youngstown State~ 4. Montana (Big Sky) 1997 Youngstown St. Villanova* 5. Sacramento State (Big Sky) American...... 0-1 1998 Western Illinois Youngstown State~ 6. UNI Tulane...... 0-1 Big Ten...... 0-1 2002 Western Kentucky McNeese State# 7. Weber State (Big Sky) Minnesota...... 0-1 2005 Illinois State Southern Illinois~ 8. Princeton (Ivy) Big 12...... 0-3 2005 Southern Illinois Western Kentucky~ 9. Dartmouth (Ivy) Iowa State...... 0-1 2005 UNI New Hampshire* 10. Villanova (SoCon) 2011 Youngstown St. North Dakota State~ Kansas...... 0-1 11. Illinois State Oklahoma...... 0-1 2011 North Dakota St. Sam Houston State# Independents...... 1-0 2012 Indiana State North Dakota State~ Sagarin Rankings, Conference Leaders (FCS) UMass...... 1-0 2014 UNI North Dakota State~ Mid-American...... 0-1 2014 Illinois State New Hampshire* 1. MISSOURI VALLEY Northern Illinois...... 0-1 2015 North Dakota St. Jacksonville State# 2. Big Sky Mountain West...... 0-1 2016 South Dakota St. North Dakota State~ 3. CAA Football Colorado State...... 0-1 2017 North Dakota St. James Madison# Sun Belt...... 0-1 4. Ivy Arkansas State...... 0-1 *denotes playoffs; #FCS Championship Game 5. Southland ~denotes conference game vs. Ranked (FCS) Teams (2-5) Tough Schedules SIU at #17 SEMO (8/29), L, 44-26 Still Perfect UNI’s strength of schedule has been rated #25 Montana at USD (8/31), L, 31-17 Just three FCS teams remain unbeaten in the toughest in the FCS, according to the NDSU at #18 Delaware (9/14), W, 47-22 2019. There are still 10 perfect FBS teams. Massey Ratings. #10 Montana St. at WIU (9/14), L, 23-14 FCS Unbeaten Teams (2019) #4 UC Davis at NDSU (9/21), W, 27-16 Strength of Schedule Ratings, Massey Ratings #6 Kennesaw St. at MSU (9/21), L, 35-24 7-0 North Dakota State 5-0 Dartmouth, Princeton 1. UNI UNI at #5 Weber State (9/28), L, 29-17 11. Missouri State FBS Unbeaten Teams (2019) 15. South Dakota vs. Ranked (FBS) Teams (0-2) 7-0 Clemson, Ohio State, Baylor, Minnesota, 16. Southern Illinois UNI at #21 Iowa St. (8/31), L, 29-26 (3ot) LSU, Alabama, Oklahoma, Penn State, 20. South Dakota State USD at #4 Oklahoma (9/7), L, 70-14 SMU 27. North Dakota State 6-0 Appalachian State 30. Illinois State 2019 Missouri Valley Football Conference Weekly Release (Oct. 21)

Players of the Week Home Sweet Home Bison on Another Run Three league schools are still perfect at North Dakota State has extended its Offense home this season. North Dakota State (23) current winning streak to an FCS-best 28 WR Isaiah Weston, UNI and South Dakota State (15) lead the FCS. games. NDSU set a league and FCS record 6-4, 208, R-So., Albertville, Minn. Alabama’s 30-game winning streak at home with a 33-game win streak from 2012-14. (St. Michael-Albertville High) leads the FBS. UNI (4-0) at home this year Clemson has the longest active streak in the Weston tied the UNI-Dome TD reception record and racked up a career-high 189 yards has a current 8-game home winning streak. FBS with 22-straight victories. receiving to lead UNI to its biggest offensive NCAA Leaders, Active Home Win Streaks Active FCS Winning Streaks day on the year. He tallied four catches, three of which were touchdowns and three of which 23 - North Dakota State (MVFC) 28 -- North Dakota State were over 50 yards. He is the first Panther to 15 - South Dakota State (MVFC) 15 -- Princeton score three receiving TDs in a game since Elias 13 - Grambling State (SWAC) 7 – Dartmouth Nissen accomplished the feat in 2017. He is 7 -- James Madison the first to score a touchdown in six consecu- Taking the Show on the Road 6 -- South Dakota State tive games since UNI Hall of Famer Eddie Longest FCS Winning Streaks (All Time) Berlin scored in seven consecutive games in North Dakota State extended its FCS-lead- 2000. He broke his mark for long reception ing road winning streak to seven games with 33 -- North Dakota State (2012-14) twice with 62- and 65-yard catches. its victory at Illinois State on Oct. 5. 28 -- North Dakota State (2017-present) 26 -- James Madison (2016-17) Defense NCAA Leaders, Active Road Win Streaks 24 -- Penn (1992-95) 7 - North Dakota State (MVFC) 24 -- Montana (2001-02) LB Chris Kolarevic, UNI 6 - Princeton (Ivy) Longest Active FCS Win Streaks (League Only) 6-1, 230, R-So., Traverse City, Mich. 4 - Dartmouth (Ivy) (Saint Francis HS) 4 - James Madison (CAA) 32 -- San Diego (PFL) Kolarevic recorded a career-high 19 tackles, 14 -- North Dakota State (MVFC) including a sack to lead the Panther defense. 11 -- Kennesaw State (Big South) The 19 tackles are one shy of the NCAA single- Back to Back, Jack 9 -- Princeton (Ivy) game high in the FCS this season. It’s also NDSU picked up its fourth win against a 9 -- Weber State (Big Sky) the most in the MVFC this year (surpassing the previous high by three tackles). He also added top-25 team in as many games as the Bison a pass breakup in the win over USD, snapping knocked off #10 Illinois State on Oct. 12, Preseason Poll, Revisited the Coyotes’ three-game win streak. Kolarevic 2019. The Bison closed the 2018 season North Dakota State was tabbed as the played in just his fourth game of the season with four-straight wins against ranked foes since coming back from an injury. He is already 2019 MVFC pre-season favorite; NDSU has fifth on the UNI defense with 43 total tackles. (#23 Montana State, #7 Colgate, #5 South earned the league title for eight-straight Dakota State and #3 Eastern Washington.) years, four times sharing it with another Special Teams During its current 28-game winning league school. P Jack Colquhoun, Southern Illinois streak, NDSU has beaten 16 teams ranked Team (first-place votes) Points Last Year 6-2, 190, Jr., Melbourne, Australia in the Top 25 at the time of the game. 1. North Dakota State (32)...... 392 1st (Carey Baptist) Here’s a list of the last time each current Colquhoun averaged 43.5 yards per punt, 2. South Dakota State (4)...... 348 2nd including a long of 56, in SIU’s 35-10 win MVFC school has beaten ranked teams in 3. Illinois State (3)...... 289 t6th against No. 18 Youngstown State. Three of his back-to-back games: 4. Indiana State (1)...... 279 t3rd punts were longer than 50 yards, giving him 5. UNI...... 266 t3rd nine punts on the year of 50+ yards. Three of Illinois State Oct. 21-28, 2017 6. South Dakota...... 176 t6th his punts pinned YSU inside its own 20. Indiana State Sept. 27-Oct. 4, 2014 7. Youngstown State...... 153 t6th Missouri State Sept. 15-29, 2018 8. Western Illinois...... 128 5th Newcomer North Dakota State Sept. 14-Oct. 12, 2019 9. Southern Illinois...... 89 10th UNI Oct. 13-20, 2018 RB Javon Williams, Southern Illinois 10. Missouri State...... 80 9th South Dakota Sept. 30-Oct. 7, 2017 6-1, 239, R-Fr., Centralia, Ill. (Centralia HS) Williams Jr. became the first player in South Dakota State Dec. 2-9, 2017 school history to rush for a touchdown, catch Southern Illinois Oct. 5-12, 2013 a touchdown, and throw a touchdown pass in Western Illinois Nov. 28-Dec. 5, 1998 the same game. In a 35-10 win over No. 18 Youngstown State Dec. 10-17, 2016 Youngstown State, Williams Jr. totaled 177 yards (63 rushing, 73 receiving, 41 pass- ing). His highlights included a seven-yard touchdown run, a 73-yard touchdown catch 2019 Valley Football Teams in the Top 25 and a 41-yard TD pass. He has scored nine touchdowns on the season and has already Team Pre S2 S9 S16 S23 S30 O7 O14 O21 surpassed last year’s team leader (7). Illinois State 13 16 12 10 8 6 10 10 7 Offensive Line Indiana St. 16 14 rv rv rv rv ------Missouri St. ------RT Cordell Volson, North Dakota State NDSU 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 6-6, 309, Jr., Balfour, N.D. (Drake HS) Volson led the Bison offensive line with eight UNI 18 11 10 8 7 13 10 14 11 knockdowns and allowed zero pressures in S. Dakota rv ------rv -- North Dakota State’s 22-0 win over Missouri SDSU 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 State. He graded out at 95 percent and was S. Illinois -- -- rv rv rv rv -- -- rv credited with 12 factor plays as the balanced W. Illinois rv ------Bison offense rushed for 222 yards and passed for 225 averaging 6.0 yards per play. Youngstown rv rv rv 21 20 17 17 18 rv *Rank represents highest position in the two polls (STATS or AFCA FCS Coaches polls) 2019 Missouri Valley Football Conference Weekly Release (Oct. 21)

Against Ranked FCS Teams MVFC in the NFL 2019 Players of the Week The MVFC is 2-5 against non-conference There were a total of 26 Top-25 opponents so far this year, with North student-athletes represent- Sept. 3 ing MVFC schools on NFL Offense -- QB Trey Lance, North Dakota State Dakota State earning both of the league’s Defense -- DL Kaleb Brewer, Indiana State wins. The league has now had multiple wins opening-day rosters. They *Special Teams -- PK Matthew Cook, UNI include the following: Newcomer -- QB Trey Lance, North Dakota State against ranked non-conference FCS teams Offensive Lineman -- RT Aron Johnson, SDSU during the regular season 17 times in the Ravens - Chris Board (North Dakota State) Sept. 9 league’s 35-year history. Since 2014, league Broncos - Davontae Harris (Illinois State), Offense -- RB Javon Williams, Southern Illinois Shelby Harris (Illinois State) Defense -- LB Christian Rozeboom, South Dakota St. schools have combined for a 45-24 record Chargers - Easton Stick (North Dakota State) Special Teams -- PR/WR Jaxon Janke, SDSU against non-conference top-25 teams (count- Colts - Reece Fountain (UNI), Joe Haeg (North Newcomer -- QB Will McElvain, UNI Offensive Lineman -- RG Zack Johnson, NDSU ing the playoffs). Dakota State), Adam Vinatieri (South Dakota State) Sept. 16 Years with Multiple Regular-Season Top-25 Wins Texans - B.J. Bello (Illinois State), Offense -- QB Austin Simmons, South Dakota Dylan Cole (Missouri State) Defense -- DL Inoke Moala, Indiana State Year Reg-Season Playoffs Total MVFC Bids Special Teams -- K Griffin Crosa, North Dakota St. Buccaneers - Mike Liedtke (Illinois State) 1989 4-2 2-2 6-4 2 Newcomer -- CB Tre’ Strong, Southern Illinois Cardinals - David Johnson (UNI) Offensive Lineman -- LT Drew Himmelman, Illinois St. 1992 2-5 2-1 4-6 1 Dolphins - Chase Allen (Southern Illinois) 1993 3-6 0-1 3-7 1 Sept. 23 1996 *5-3 2-2 7-5 2 Packers - Robert Tonyan (Indiana State), Offense -- QB Brady Davis, Illinois State 1997 3-8 5-1 8-9 2 Billy Turner (North Dakota State), Defense -- DE Elerson Smith, UNI 1998 3-6 2-2 5-8 2 Darrius Shepherd (North Dakota State) Special Teams -- PK Sam Fenlason, Illinois State 1999 3-3 *6-2 9-5 2 Titans - MyCole Pruitt (Southern Illinois) Newcomer -- WR Avante Cox, Southern Illinois 2000 3-3 0-2 3-5 2 Chiefs - Khalen Saunders (Western Illinois), Offensive Lineman -- LT Ernest Dye Jr., S. Illinois 2003 4-0 3-4 7-4 4 Xavier Williams (UNI) Sept. 30 2007 3-3 3-2 6-5 2 Eagles - L.J. Fort (UNI), Dallas Goedert (South Offense -- TB Joe Alessi, Youngstown State 2011 2-0 5-1 7-1 2 Dakota State), Carson Wentz (North Dakota Defense -- LB Chris Kolarevic, UNI 2014 *5-1 *6-1 *11-2 *5 Special Teams -- PR Jake Coates, Youngstown State 2015 4-2 5-2 9-4 *5 State) Newcomer -- QB Will McElvain, UNI 2016 3-2 *6-3 9-5 4 Jaguars - James O’Shaughnessy (Illinois State) Offensive Lineman -- LG Jacob Zinni, Youngstown St. 2017 2-2 *6-3 8-5 *5 Jets - Tom Compton (South Dakota) Oct. 6 2018 2-2 4-1 6-3 3 Raiders - Makinton Dorleant (UNI) Offense -- QB Austin Simmons, South Dakota 2019 2-5 ------Cowboys - Lance Lenoir Jr. (Western Illinois) Defense -- DE Elerson Smith, UNI *represents league record in each category Patriots - Derek Rivers (Youngstown State) *Special Teams -- P Brendan Withrow, Missouri St. Newcomer -- QB Trey Lance, North Dakota State Offensive Lineman -- RT Isaac Erbes, South Dakota Oct. 13 Big Sky-MVFC Challenge Series MVFC in the XFL Draft Offense -- QB J’Bore Gibbs, South Dakota State By virtue of a 5-0 sweep A total of 85 play- Defense -- LB Clayton Glasco, Indiana State in games of Sept. 21, the ers were drafted from Special Teams -- P/K Garret Wegner, N. Dakota State Newcomer -- QB J’Bore Gibbs, South Dakota State MVFC captured its third- FCS programs, led by Offensive Lineman -- C Karson Schoening, NDSU straight series win in the WR Rashard Davis Oct. 20 Big Sky-MVFC Challenge from James Madison, Offense -- WR Isaiah Weston, UNI Defense -- LB Chris Kolarevic, UNI Series. Eight of the 10 who was the first-overall selection in the Special Teams -- P Jack Colquhoun, Southern Illinois games in this year’s series XFL Draft. UNI’s Elijah Campbell -- taken Newcomer -- RB Javon Williams, Southern Illinois Offensive Lineman -- RT Cordell Volson, NDSU featured at least one fourth among DBs by the DC Defenders -- ranked team, and in two of the games both headlines a list of 12 former MVFC players * - denotes National Player of the Week drafted by teams in the upstart league. teams were ranked. The season begins Saturday, Feb. 9, 2020. Ten MVFC-Big Sky matchups were on the slate this year, and the MVFC won this year’s Player, Pos., (Positional Draft Pick No.) series, 6-4. Playoff results do not count Dallas Renegades C.J. Smith, CB, North Dakota State (open draft) toward the series. The MVFC captured the series in both DC Defenders Jameer Thurman, LB, Indiana State (44) 2017 and 2018 by a 5-3 margin. Elijah Campbell, CB, Northern Iowa (4) The MVFC conducted one previous chal- Deion Holliman, WR, Missouri State (open draft) lenge series (with the OVC) and the MVFC New York Guardians won all three season series against the OVC Nick DeLuca, LB, North Dakota State (39) (2003, 2004, 2005) with a combined record David Rivers, CB, Youngstown State (18) of 20-2 in those games. St. Louis Battlehawks Damoun Patterson, WR, Youngstown State (open) Aug. 29 - Northern Arizona 37, Missouri State 23 Kellen Soulek, DT, South Dakota State (open) Aug. 31 - #25 Montana 31, South Dakota 17 Seattle Dragons Sept. 7 - #11 UNI 34, Southern Utah 14 John Santiago, WR, South Dakota (58) Sept. 14 - #10 Montana St. 23, Western Illinois 14 Tyson Graham, S, South Dakota (59) Sept. 21 - #8 UNI 13, Idaho State 6 Los Angeles Wildcats Sept. 21 - #10 Illinois St. 40, Northern Arizona 27 Taryn Christion, QB, S. Dakota State (open draft) Sept. 21 - South Dakota 14, Northern Colorado 6 Roman Tatum, CB, Southern Illinois (28) Sept. 21 - #1 NDSU 27, #4 UC Davis 16 Sept. 21 - #3 SDSU 43, Southern Utah 7 Sept. 28 - #5 Weber State 29, #7 Northern Iowa 17 2019 Missouri Valley Football Conference Weekly Release (Oct. 21)

MVFC - vs. Other Leagues Among the NCAA Rush Leaders Total Defense Leaders Here’s how the MVFC has fared against Two MVFC runningbacks are among the Two Valley Football teams rank among the teams from leagues it has faced in 2019: FCS leaders in rushing yards per game. FCS leaders in total defense. North Dakota Big Sky Conference 68 45 .602 South Dakota State’s Pierre Strong leads State (2nd with 262.1 yards per game al- Big South 10 5 .667 the MVFC and ranks 9th in the FCS (108.0). lowed per game) and South Dakota State CAA Football 25 18 .581 James Robinson of Illinois State is 12th in (6th, 291.6 ypg) lead the way for the MVFC. Mid-Eastern Athletic 22 1 .956 Northeast Conference 25 0 1.000 the FCS with an average of 106.3 per game. Three league schools rank in the Top 11 Ohio Valley (also one tie) 143 69 .675 Strong is one of the most explosive backs in the FCS for fewest points allowed. North Pioneer Football League 43 3 .935 in the FCS, averaging 8.31 yards per carry, Dakota State leads the MVFC and ranks Southern Conference 13 15 .464 which ranks 3rd in the subdivision. second nationally (10.3 ppg). South Dakota Southland (also two ties) 56 50 .528 FCS Leaders - Rushing Yards State ranks 6th (15.6 ppg), while Illinois American 0 3 .000 State clocks in at 11th (18.0 ppg). North Big 12 6 51 .105 Rank, Team (Conf.) YPG Dakota State recorded the 43rd shutout in Big Ten 4 59 .063 1. Jah-Maine Martin, N.C. A&T (MEAC) 148.4 Mid-American 18 36 .333 2. Karekin Brooks, Penn (Ivy League) 137.8 league play, holding Missouri State score- Mountain West 2 6 .250 3. Justin Covington, Villanova (CAA) 121.2 less in a 22-0 win last week. USD blanked Sun Belt 2 4 .333 4. Alex Ramsey, VMI (SoCon) 116.9 Indiana State earlier this year, 38-0. 5. Julius Chestnut, Sacred Heart (NEC) 116.7 6. Joe Newman, Wofford (SoCon) 115.7 FCS Leaders - Total Defense Great Start to a Career 7. Pete Guerriero, Monmouth (Big South) 114.4 Rank, Team (Conf.) YPG 8. Dawonya Tucker, Prairie View (SWAC) 108.1 Through the first seven games of his 1. Kennesaw St. (Big South) 250.6 career, North Dakota State rookie QB Trey 9. Pierre Strong, South Dakota St. (MVFC) 108.0 9. Ailym Ford, Chattanooga (SoCon) 108.0 2. North Dakota State (MVFC) 262.1 Lance ranks among the NCAA leaders in 11. Zach Davis, Fordham (Patriot) 107.6 3. Davidson (PFL) 278.6 pass efficiency (4th with a 183.9 rating) and 12. James Robinson, Illinois St. (MVFC) 106.3 4. Georgetown (Patriot) 287.4 ‘points responsible for’ (t-12th with 18.9 5. Princeton (Ivy League) 288.0 Active Career FCS Leaders - Rushing Yards 6. South Dakota State (MVFC) 291.6 points per game). He’s the NCAA freshman leader in both categories. Former NDSU QB 1. A.J. Hines, Duquesne 4,271 FCS Leaders - Scoring Defense 2. James Robinson, Illinois State 3,289 Easton Stick established the league single- 3. Elijah Ibitokun-Hanks, Chattanooga 3,067 Rank, Team (Conf.) PPG season record with his 172.4 rating in 2018. 4. Wesley Dugger, Davidson 2,924 1. Dartmouth (Ivy League) 8.2 FCS Leaders - Pass Efficiency Rating 5. Pete Guerriero, Monmouth 2,780 2. North Dakota State (MVFC) 10.3 FCS Leaders - Rushing Yards Per Carry 3. Georgetown (Patriot) 12.6 Rank, Team (Conf.) Rating 4. Princeton (Ivy League) 13.0 1. Kevin Davidson, Princeton (Ivy League) 191.9 Rank, Team (Conf.) YPC 5. Kennesaw State (Big South) 13.9 2. Reid Sinnett, San Diego (PFL) 190.4 1. Jah-Maine Martin, N.C. A&T (MEAC) 9.28 6. South Dakota State (MVFC) 15.6 3. Felix Harper, Alcorn (SWAC) 185.7 2. Joe Newman, Wofford (SoCon) 8.90 11. Illinois State (MVFC) 18.0 4. Trey Lance, North Dakota St. (MVFC) 183.9 3. Pierre Strong, South Dakota St. (MVFC) 8.31 5. Aaron Winchester, Central Conn. (NEC) 168.9 4. Justin Covington, Villanova (CAA) 8.08 5. Devin Wynn, Furman (SoCon) 7.91 What a Rush Paper or Plastic? North Dakota State leads the MVFC and ranks fourth in the FCS, averaging 287.0 Four MVFC student-athletes rank among Big Play Guys yards per game on the ground. South the top 10 in the FCS in sacks per game this UNI’s Isaiah Weston exploded for three Dakota State gains 236.9 per game to rank year. Elerson Smith of UNI leads the MVFC scores on Saturday against South Dakota. 13th in the FCS. and ranks 3rd nationally with 1.21 per game. He had 189 receiving yards on just four Derrek Tuszka of North Dakota State (7th at catches and now averages 25.9 yards per FCS Leaders - Rushing Yards 1.08 per game); Justus Reed of Youngstown reception, second in the FCS. Kacper Rut- Rank, Team (Conf.) YPG kiewicz of Illinois State ranks 8th (23.0). State (8th at 1.07 per game) and Romeo 1. Wofford (SoCon) 369.0 McKnight of Illinois State (10th at 1.00) also FCS Leaders - Yards Per Reception 2. Kennesaw State (Big South) 352.3 represent the league in the Top 10. Rank, Team (Conf.) YPR 3. Davidson (PFL) 332.4 Illinois State ranks 2nd as a team (4.71 4. North Dakota State (MVFC) 287.0 1. Jalen Staples, Davidson (PFL) 26.07 5. Furman (SoCon) 280.0 per game), Southern Illinois is 7th (3.57) and 2. Isaiah Weston, UNI (MVFC) 25.89 South Dakota State ranks 8th (3.29). 3. Andrew Trent, Stony Brook (CAA) 25.21 4. Earnest Edwards, Maine (CAA) 24.00 FCS Leaders - Sacks In the Red Zone 5. Chris Blair, Alcorn (SWAC) 23.61 Illinois State leads the FCS in Red Zone Rank, Team (Conf.) SPG 6. Tyshaun James, Central Conn. St. (NEC) 23.42 defense, allowing opponents to convert just 7. Drew Estrada, Dartmouth (Ivy League) 23.30 1. Andre Walker, Houston Bapt. (Southland) 1.44 52.2 percent of their chances when inside 2. Keith Woetzel, Lehigh (Patriot) 1.42 8. Kacper Rutkiewicz, Illinois St. (MVFC) 23.00 3. Elerson Smith, UNI (MVFC) 1.21 the Red Zone. South Dakota State ranks 3. Bryce Sterk, Montana St. (Big Sky) 1.21 8th (65.0 percent), while North Dakota State 5. Jermaine McDaniel, N.C. A&T (MEAC) 1.20 First Things First is 18th (69.2 percent). 6. George Obinna, Sacramento St. (Big Sky) 1.14 South Dakota leads the MVFC and ranks The Bison are efficient on offense, too, 7. Derrek Tuszka, North Dakota St. (MVFC) 1.08 sixth in the FCS in total first downs. The ranking 6th in the FCS, as NDSU has con- 8. Justus Reed, Youngstown St. (MVFC) 1.07 Coyotes have accumulated 179 first downs 9. Eli Mencer, Albany (NY) (CAA) 1.06 verted 92.9 percent of its trips into the Red 10. Maurice Jackson, Richmond (CAA) 1.00 in seven games. Every team ahead of them Zone into points this year. 10. Romeo McKnight, Illinois St. (MVFC) 1.00 has played one additional game. ILLINOIS STATE REDBIRDS INDIANA STATE SYCAMORES (5-2, 2-1 MVFC) (3-4, 1-2 MVFC) A31 at Northern Illinois L, 10-24 0-1, 0-0 A31 at Kansas L, 17-24 0-1, 0-0 S7 Morehead State W, 42-14 1-1, 0-0 S7 Dayton L, 35-42 0-2, 0-0 S14 at Eastern Illinois W, 21-3 2-1, 0-0 S14 Eastern Kentucky W, 19-7 1-2, 0-0 S21 Northern Arizona W, 40-27 3-1, 0-0 S21 Eastern Illinois W, 16-6 2-2, 0-0 O5 *#1 North Dakota State L, 3-37 3-2, 0-1 O5 *at South Dakota L, 0-38 2-3, 0-1 O12 *at Southern Illinois W, 21-7 4-2, 1-1 O12 *Western Illinois W, 20-10 3-3, 1-1 O19 *at Western Illinois W, 28-14 5-2, 2-1 O19 *#3 South Dakota State L, 23-42 3-4, 1-2 O26 *Indiana State [HC] ESPN3 2:00 p.m. O26 *at #7 Illinois State ESPN3 3:00 p.m. ET N2 *UNI NBCSCH/ESPN+ 12:00 p.m. N2 *Southern Illinois ESPN+ 1:00 p.m. ET N9 *at South Dakota State ESPN+ 2:00 p.m. N9 *at UNI ESPN+ 5:00 p.m. ET N16 *Missouri State NBCSCH/ESPN+ 12:00 p.m. N16 *Youngstown State ESPN+ 1:00 p.m. ET N23 *at Youngstown State ESPN+ 11:00 a.m. N23 *at Missouri State ESPN+ 3:00 p.m. ET *MVFC game *MVFC game

He Can Do It All Griffth Moving Toward Top 10 With so much attention paid to James Robinson by opposing Louisville, Kentucky native Jonas Griffith finished Saturday with defenses, there has been room for other Redbird offensive players to eight stops from the linebacker position. With the performance, the take charge. Against Western Illinois, it was transfer running back Jeff redshirt senior moved into 12th place in career tackles (338) in Proctor’s turn, as he was the change of pace the Redbirds needed program history, passing ISU Hall of Famer John Allman. Griffith is just in their defeat over the Leathernecks. Proctor led the Redbirds in five tackles away from moving into sole possession of 10th place. rushing (81 yards) and receiving (46 yards) to account for 127 yards of total offense in the game. His one-yard touchdown run in the fourth quarter capped off the scoring for the Redbirds and a career day for Wilderman Makes First Career Start Proctor, who set personal bests in rushing and receiving against WIU. Redshirt sophomore Kurtis Wilderman made his first career start The touchdown was the first for Proctor since transferring to ISU, and at quarterback against No. 3 South Dakota State Saturday. The he is now averaging 4.4 yards per carry on the season. Wadesville, Ind., product passed for 196 yards on 19-of-31 attempts, including a pair of touchdowns. Wilderman had seen action in three previous games this season in a backup role. In total, he has thrown Turnovers Aplenty for 451 yards and five touchdowns for a 140.9 passer rating this Call it a mixture of giveaways by the Leathernecks and takeaways season. by the Redbirds, but whatever it was the result was five turnovers by Western Illinois in the Redbirds’ road win. The five turnovers (3 fumble recoveries, 2 interceptions) were a season high for the Redbirds and Kerlegrand: Another 100-Yard Game they took advantage of the Leatherneck mistakes, turning them into Peterson Kerlegrand rushed for 107 yards on 19 carries Saturday 14 points. The interceptions by Devin Taylor and Christian Uphoff against No. 3 South Dakota State. It marked the juniors third 100- were their first of the season for both and upped the team’s total to yard rushing game of the season after crossing the century mark eight on the year with eight different players recording picks. against Eastern Kentucky and Dayton. On the year Kerlegrand has rushed for 557 yards and a trio of touchdowns. A Fort Wayne, Indiana native, Kerlegrand is averaging 6.6 yards per carry and 92.8 yards State Champs per game. For the second-straight year, Illinois State completed a season sweep of its fellow FCS Land of Lincoln foes to take home the unof- ficial state title. The Redbirds picked up road wins at Eastern Illinois, Nunez Adds to Program Kicking Marks Southern Illinois and Western Illinois, with the last two coming in Senior kicker Jerry Nunez etched his name in Sycamore history the past two weekends. With ISU’s win at Western Illinois, the team after breaking three program records this season. The Naples, Florida improved to 10-2 against the Leathernecks under the leadership native secured the all-time scoring (221) as well as the all-time field of Brock Spack and the team has now won 9 of the last 10 games goal (42) mark in a win over Eastern Illinois. Just a week earlier, against WIU. Had it not been for a loss at NIU, the Redbirds would Nunez set the ISU all-time PAT record – a record that had stood since have had a clean sweep of state of Illinois foes in a year where they 1985. Nunez has currently scored 241 points, kicked 48 field goals won’t leave the state lines until Nov. 9. and 97 PAT’s. MISSOURI STATE BEARS NORTH DAKOTA STATE BISON (1-5, 1-2 MVFC) (7-0, 3-0 MVFC) A29 at Northern Arizona L, 23-37 0-1, 0-0 A31 Butler (at Minneapolis) W, 57-10 1-0, 0-0 S14 at Tulane L, 6-58 0-2, 0-0 S7 North Dakota W, 38-7 2-0, 0-0 S21 #6 Kennesaw State L, 24-35 0-3, 0-0 S14 at #18 Delaware W, 47-22 3-0, 0-0 O5 *at Western Illinois W, 37-31 (3ot) 1-3, 1-0 S21 #4 UC Davis W, 27-16 4-0, 0-0 O12 *South Dakota L, 45-10 1-4, 1-1 O5 *at #6 Illinois State W, 37-3 5-0, 1-0 O19 *at #1 North Dakota St. L, 0-22 1-5, 1-2 O12 *#10 UNI W, 46-14 6-0, 2-0 O26 *#11 UNI [HC] ESPN+ 2:00 p.m. O19 *Missouri State W, 22-0 7-0, 3-0 N2 *South Dakota State ESPN3 2:00 p.m. O26 *at #3 South Dakota St. NBC ND/ESPN+ 2:00 p.m. N9 *at Southern Illinois ESPN3 2:00 p.m. N2 *at Youngstown State ESPN+ 5:00 p.m. N16 *at Illinois State ESPN+ 12:00 p.m. N9 *Western Illinois NBC ND/ESPN+ 2:30 p.m. N23 *Indiana State ESPN+ 2:00 p.m. N16 *South Dakota NBC ND/ESPN+ 2:30 p.m. *MVFC game N23 *at Southern Illinois NBC ND/ESPN+ 2:00 p.m. *MVFC game Defense Dominates Missouri State’s defense came to play in Fargo last week, holding Another Top-Five Matchup the nation’s No. 5 rushing offense to just 222 yards (on 43 carries) NDSU is 16-1 since the beginning of the 2011 national champion- and the No. 3 scoring offense in the FCS to just 22 total points. Led ship season against opponents ranked in the top five of the FCS. That by McNeece Egbim’s 3.5 tackles for loss, the Bears registered 9.0 includes a 9-1 record in the Fargodome, where the only loss in the tackles behind the line of scrimmage, their second-highest total of past eight seasons to a top-five opponent came in the 2016 national the season. semifinals to James Madison, 27-17. NDSU has four victories this year against Top 25 teams and has defeated 16 ranked opponents on its current 28-game winning streak. That streak includes 12 teams It’s On this Homecoming ranked in the Top 10 and the Bison have outscored those 12 foes by The Bears continue a campus tradition that dates back to 1921 an average of 37-13. on Saturday when they entertain Northern Iowa on Homecoming at Plaster Stadium. The Bears are 26-22 on homecoming since 1971 and are hosting the Panthers on homecoming for the sixth time. Even Top Passing Defense North Dakota State leads the FCS in passes defended with 53 though the Bears are 0-5 against UNI on homecoming, four of the through the first seven games. The Bison have eight INTs and an contests have been decided by six points or less, and three games FCS-high 45 breakups. CB Marquise Bridges is tied for fifth nationally have been decided by a field goal or less. It is Northern Iowa’s first with 1.71 passes defended per game (0 INT, 12 PBU) and free safety trip to Springfield for homecoming since 2003. James Hendricks eighth nationally with 1.67 per game (2 INT, 8 PBU). FCS Leaders, Passes Defended Egbim Emerges 53—North Dakota State, MVFC (8 INT, 45 PBU) 51—Sam Houston State, Southland (10 INT, 41 PBU) Missouri State co-captain McNeece Egbim notched a game-high 49—McNeese State, Southland (8 INT, 41 PBU) 14 tackles at North Dakota State last week, marking his 13th career 48—Stetson, Pioneer (8 INT, 40 PBU) double-figure tackle game -- and third in three conference games this 47—Portland State, Big Sky (10 INT, 37 PBU) season. The senior from Rowlett, Texas posted seven solo stops and (Includes 12 of 13 conferences, stats unavailable for SWAC) 3.5 tackles for loss against the top-ranked Bison with five stops on third-down plays. He is averaging 13.7 tackles per game in Valley play. The All-MVFC performer has led the Bears in tackles four times this Lance Top Freshman Performer season. QB Trey Lance currently is the FCS freshmen leader in several offensive categories for rushing, passing and scoring. Lance’s 69.9 rushing yards per game is fourth among all FCS freshmen and first among freshman quarterbacks. 3rd—Completion Percentage, 69.9% (1st among freshmen) 4th—Passing Efficiency, 183.9 (1st among freshmen) 5th—Quarterback Rushing Yards Per Game, 69.6 (1st among freshmen) 8th—Yards Per Pass Attempt, 9.24 (2nd among freshmen) 9th—Points Responsible For, 132 (1st among freshmen) 20th—Rushing Touchdowns, 7 (2nd among freshmen) 21st—Passing Touchdowns, 15 (1st among freshmen) 40th—Total Offense, 249.1 (1st among freshmen) NORTHERN IOWA PANTHERS SOUTH DAKOTA COYOTES (4-3, 2-1 MVFC) (3-4, 2-1 MVFC) A31 at Iowa State L, 26-29 (3OT) 0-1, 0-0 A31 #25 Montana L, 17-31 0-1, 0-0 S7 Southern Utah W, 34-14 1-1, 0-0 S7 at #4 Oklahoma L, 14-70 0-2, 0-0 S21 Idaho State W, 13-6 2-1, 0-0 S14 Houston Baptist L, 52-53 0-3, 0-0 S28 at #5 Weber State L, 17-29 2-2, 0-0 S21 at Northern Colorado W, 14-6 1-3, 0-0 O5 *#17 Youngstown State W, 21-14 3-2, 1-0 O5 *Indiana State W, 38-0 2-3, 1-0 O12 *at #1 North Dakota St. L, 14-46 3-3, 1-1 O12 *at Missouri State W, 45-10 3-3, 2-0 O19 *South Dakota W, 42-27 4-3, 2-1 O19 *at #14 UNI L, 27-42 3-4, 2-1 O26 *at Missouri State ESPN+ 2:00 p.m. O26 *Southern Illinois Midco/ESPN+ 4:00 p.m. N2 *at Illinois State ESPN+ 12:00 p.m. N2 *at Western Illinois ESPN+ 1:00 p.m. N9 *Indiana State PSN/ESPN+ 4:00 p.m. N9 *Youngstown State Midco/ESPN+ 2:00 p.m. N16 *at South Dakota State ESPN3 2:00 p.m. N16 *at North Dakota State Midco/ESPN+ 2:30 p.m. N23 *Western Illinois ESPN3 1:00 p.m. N23 *South Dakota State Midco/ESPN+ 2:00 p.m. *MVFC game *MVFC game

Panthers Force Six Turnovers Six Turnovers Costly at UNI The Panther defense tallied six turnovers (3 INT, 3 FR) against South Dakota turned it over six times on 16 possessions in drop- South Dakota. The last time UNI recorded six turnovers was Sept. 8, ping a 42-27 decision to 14th-ranked Northern Iowa Saturday inside 2012, against DII Central State (Ohio). The last time that UNI record- the UNI-Dome in Cedar Falls. It marked the seventh time in eight ed six turnovers against a DI team was New Hampshire on Dec. 6, meetings as Valley foes that USD outgained UNI in terms of total yard- 2008 (4 INT, 2 FR). age, but the Panthers have a 6-2 record in that span. UNI has forced 13 turnovers in its last three meetings with South Dakota and had a 19 Stops for Kolarevic defensive score in each game. LB Chris Kolarevic recorded 19 tackles. One shy of the NCAA single- game high in the FCS this season. It’s also the most in the MVFC this Conaway, Goehring Find the End Zone year (surpassing the previous high by three tackles). True freshman wide receiver Billy Conaway’s first career catch went for 56 yards and a touchdown. It tied for the longest catch by a Coyote this season. Conaway had two catches for 73 yards against UNI. He Another Career Day for Weston also averaged 25 yards on three kickoff returns. Sophomore tight end Isaiah Weston notched a career-high 189 yards receiving against Austin Goehring also hauled in his first collegiate touchdown. It came South Dakota. It was the fourth game over 100 yards in 2019 and on his fourth career catch and gave USD a 21-14 lead in the first was his third consecutive game breaking his career-high. He also quarter in Cedar Falls. scored a touchdown in his sixth consecutive game he is the first player since Hall of Famer Eddie Berlin to score a TD in six consecu- tive games was Eddie Berlin in 2000. Greenfield Gets TFL Record Darin Greenfield, Division I’s active leader in tackles-for-loss enter- ing play last weekend, broke South Dakota’s career record in that Comeback Player of the Year? category during his performance against UNI Saturday. Greenfield Isaiah Weston and Chris Kolarevic are building resumes for come- stands with 51.0 TFL, breaking Bill Gassen’s record of 50.5, which back player of the year honors. Weston missed all of last season and stood since 2002. through seven games sits atop the MVFC in receiving TDs, Receiving yards and yards per catch. Kolarevic has played in just four games, but is already fifth on the team in total tackles and earned a pair of Southern Illinois Up Next MVFC Defensive Player of the Week honors. South Dakota returns to the DakotaDome to host Southern Illinois Saturday at 4 p.m. The Coyotes lead the all-time series 3-2 and have 13 in a Row vs. Missouri State won the last two. UNI is on a 13-game win streak against Missouri State. It is the longest win streak against an individual opponent in program history. The last loss to Missouri State came in 2005. SOUTH DAKOTA ST. JACKRABBITS SOUTHERN ILLINOIS SALUKIS (6-1, 3-0 MVFC) (3-4, 1-2 MVFC) A29 at Minnesota L, 21-28 0-1, 0-0 A29 at #17 SE Missouri State L, 26-44 0-1, 0-0 S7 Long Island W, 38-3 1-1, 0-0 S7 at UMass W, 45-20 1-1, 0-0 S14 Drake W, 38-10 2-1, 0-0 S14 UT Martin W, 28-14 2-1, 0-0 S21 Southern Utah W, 43-7 3-1, 0-0 S21 at Arkansas State L, 28-41 2-2, 0-0 O5 *Southern Illinois W, 28-10 4-1, 1-0 O5 *at #3 South Dakota St. L, 10-28 2-3, 0-1 O12 *at #17 Youngstown St. W, 38-28 5-1, 2-0 O12 *#13 Illinois State L, 7-21 2-4, 0-2 O19 *at Indiana State W, 42-23 6-1, 3-0 O19 *#17 Youngstown State W, 35-10 3-4, 1-2 O26 *#1 North Dakota State Midco/ESPN+ 2:00 p.m. O26 *at South Dakota ESPN+ 4:00 p.m. N2 *at Missouri State ESPN3 2:00 p.m. N2 *at Indiana State ESPN+ 12:00 p.m. N9 *Illinois State Midco/ESPN+ 2:00 p.m. N9 *Missouri State ESPN3 2:00 p.m. N16 *UNI ESPN3 2:00 p.m. N16 *at Western Illinois ESPN+ 1:00 p.m. N23 *at South Dakota Midco/ESPN+ 2:00 p.m. N23 *North Dakota State ESPN+ 2:00 p.m. *MVFC game *MVFC game

Rankings Streak Hits 100 Salukis Snap Streak vs. Ranked Teams South Dakota State appeared in this week’s STATS FCS poll with With the win over No. 18 Youngstown State on Saturday, the a No. 3 ranking, marking the 100th consecutive poll the Jackrabbits Salukis snapped an eight-game losing streak versus ranked FCS have been nationally ranked in the media poll. The streak began opponents. Prior to Saturday, Southern’s last win over a ranked team Oct. 29, 2012, following a 41-28 Hobo Day victory over Youngstown came on Oct. 14, 2017, when SIU beat No. 15 Illinois State, 42-7. State two days earlier. The Jackrabbits have held the third spot in the STATS FCS poll throughout the 2019 season. Williams Jr. Sets School Record RB Javon Williams Jr. (6-1, 239, rFr.) did something no one has ever We Meet Again done in a game in school history when he rushed for a TD, caught a South Dakota State and top-ranked North Dakota State square off touchdown pass and threw a TD pass against the Penguins. Wil- against each other for the 110th time Saturday afternoon at Dana liams Jr. has scored nine touchdowns on the year and has already J. Dykhouse Stadium. NDSU leads the overall series by a 62-42-5 surpassed last year’s team leader. Frequently operating out of the count, including a 9-6 advantage in Dakota Marker games since the Wildcat formation, Williams averages 5.6 yards per carry. two programs moved to the FCS in 2004. The rivalry began in 1903, and the two schools were both charter members of the North Central RB D.J. Davis Returns Conference, meeting every year from 1919 through 1942 until play After missing two games with a dislocated elbow, RB D.J. Davis was interrupted by World War II. The series resumed in 1946 and the (5-8, 170, Sr.) returned Saturday and led the Salukis with 73 rushing two squads have met every year since. Saturday’s game will mark yards. He ranks eighth in career rushing at SIU (2,103) and third in the 12th consecutive game (playoffs included) that both teams have school history (4,787) in career all-purpose yards (rushing, receiving, been nationally ranked, and the seventh in that span in which both return yardage). Davis has recorded eight 100-yard rushing games teams have been ranked in the top 10. NDSU’s current 28-game win- in his last 16 games. He is one of 40 players on the 2019 preseason ning streak began after dropping a 33-21 decision at SDSU on Nov. 4, watch list for the College Football Performance Awards (CFPA) FCS 2017. That was the first game played between the two rivals at Dana National Performer of the Year trophy. J. Dykhouse Stadium. S Jeremy Chinn Returns Turnover Margin Preseason All-American S Jeremy Chinn (6-3, 212, Sr.) also re- The Jackrabbits are plus-6 in turnover margin over the past two turned last week after missing two games with a foot injury. He led games – road victories at Youngstown State and Indiana State. the Salukis with nine tackles (8 solos) against Youngstown. With two Against YSU, the Jackrabbits recorded a pair of interceptions and re- interceptions this season, Chinn has moved into seventh place in ca- covered a fumble while not turning the ball over. In the win at Indiana reer interceptions at SIU with 11. He is also second in pass breakups State, SDSU forced three fumbles while trading interceptions. Michael (26) and second in forced fumbles (6). A starter since his freshman Griffin II came up with a pair of takeaways against the Sycamores by season and with 30 career starts, Chinn was named the “Top FCS recovering the last of the three fumbles and intercepting a pass on Target” by the Senior Bowl heading into the season. A year ago Dela- the final play of the first half. The Jackrabbits have recorded an inter- ware’s Nasir Adderley earned the Senior Bowl’s distinction and ended ception in all seven games and 13 of 14 games dating back to 2018. up as a San Diego Chargers 2nd round pick. WESTERN ILLINOIS LEATHERNECKS YOUNGSTOWN STATE PENGUINS (0-7, 0-3 MVFC) (4-3, 0-3 MVFC) A29 at North Alabama L, 17-26 0-1, 0-0 A24 vs. Samford W, 45-22 1-0, 0-0 S7 at Colorado State L, 13-38 0-2, 0-0 S7 Howard W, 54-28 2-0, 0-0 S14 #10 Montana State L, 13-24 0-3, 0-0 S14 Duquesne W, 34-14 3-0, 0-0 S21 Tennessee Tech L, 24-38 0-4, 0-0 S28 Robert Morris W, 45-10 4-0, 0-0 O5 *Missouri State L, 31-37 (3ot) 0-5, 0-1 O5 *at #13 UNI L, 14-21 4-1, 0-1 O12 *at Indiana State L, 10-20 0-6, 0-2 O12 *#3 South Dakota State L, 28-38 4-2, 0-2 O19 *#10 Illinois State L, 14-28 0-7, 0-3 O19 *at Southern Illinois L, 10-35 4-3, 0-3 O26 *at Youngstown State ESPN+ 1:00 p.m. O26 *Western Illinois ESPN+ 2:00 p.m. ET N2 *South Dakota ESPN+ 1:00 p.m. N2 *North Dakota State ESPN+ 6:00 p.m. ET N9 *at North Dakota State ESPN+ 2:30 p.m. N9 *at South Dakota ESPN+ 3:00 p.m. ET N16 *Southern Illinois ESPN+ 1:00 p.m. N16 *at Indiana State ESPN+ 1:00 p.m. ET N23 *at UNI ESPN3 1:00 p.m. N23 *Illinois State ESPN+ 12:00 p.m. ET *MVFC game *MVFC game

Slinger Sacks on the Rise With 34 completions recorded against No. 10/11 Illinois State, YSU had three sacks against South Dakota State to bring the Connor Sampson set Western’s program record for the most in a Penguins’ total to 22 through seven games. The Penguins recorded single game. The previous mark sat untouched for 32 seasons as just 18 in 11 games last season. DE Justus Reed leads the team with Paul Singer completed 32 passes versus Missouri State in 1987. eight sacks. In 14 career games played, Reed has an impressive 13 Sampson went 34-for-50 for 270 yards. sacks. Ma’lik Richmond has been a major contributor as well with seven sacks this season. Richmond had three sacks in 2018. Last The Last Time Western ... year’s sack leader was Savon Smith and he had six while starting all Attempted 50 or more passes ... 50 - Trenton Norvell at UNI, 2013 11 contests. Additionally, YSU has 53 TFLs this season after register- Completed 30 or more passes ..... 31 - Sean McGuire vs. USD, 2017 ing just 51 in 2018.

Milestones Big Season for Coates Thirty-two Leathernecks have surpassed 1,000 career receiving Junior PR Jake Coates is having his best season this year for the yards and Clint Ratkovich recently added his name to the list with Penguins. Coates has returned 20 punts for 231 yards this season, 1,007. Western’s captain achieved the feat in the home matchup an average of 11.6 per return. He was named the MVFC Special against Illinois State (Oct. 19), where he caught seven passes for 93 Teams Player of the Week in the win over Robert Morris. Coates set yards. He also manages 329 career rushing yards. a school record with 133 yards on five returns. He had a touchdown return of 63 yards and additional returns of 22 and 33 in the contest. At UNI, he had five returns for 41 yards, including a 25-yard return. At SIU, he had four returns for 30 yards. Prior to the RMU game, Coates’ career-long return was 22 yards against South Dakota State in 2018. Coates now has 60 returns in his career for 365 yards. He now ranks second in school history in career punt returns (64) and fifth in yards (396). More INTs in 2019 The Penguins have intercepted eight passes in seven games this year. That equals the total of YSU’s interceptions the past two sea- sons combined. YSU had three in 11 games a year ago and had just five in 2017. The Guins equaled their 2018 total in the season opener vs. Samford with three INTs. The three interceptions against the Bull- dogs were the most interceptions in a single game for the program since Sept. 26, 2009, at Indiana State.