Brookings, South Dakota — The South Dakota State University football team returns to the Football Championship Subdivision playoffs Saturday, hosting Holy Cross in first-round action.
Kickoff is set for 2 p.m. Central Time at Dana J. Dykhouse Stadium.
The Jackrabbits enter the 16-team tournament as the top seed after posting a 5-1 regular season record, all of which was in Missouri Valley Football Conference action. SDSU shared the league title with Missouri State and secured the MVFC’s automatic bid by defeating defending national champion North Dakota State, 27-17, in their April 17 regular season finale in Fargo, North Dakota, following nearly a month-long layoff.
Holy Cross, 3-0 overall, is making its second postseason trip in a row after winning the Patriot League title with a 33-10 victory at Bucknell last weekend.
The Crusaders also qualified for the FCS playoffs in 2019, dropping a 44-27 decision to Monmouth in the opening round. This will be Holy Cross’ fourth FCS postseason appearance.
Saturday’s game will mark the first time South Dakota State and Holy Cross have met in football. The game also will be the Jackrabbits’ first against a Patriot League opponent.
