Brookings, South Dakota — As always seems to be the case when these two teams meet, Saturday’s Missouri Valley Football Conference game between nationally ranked opponents Northern Iowa and South Dakota State is likely to have implications on the Football Championship Subdivision playoff picture.
Kickoff for the 107th Hobo Day game is set for 2 p.m. at Dana J. Dykhouse Stadium. The game has been selected as the MVFC Game of the Week and will be available for viewing exclusively through ESPN3.com.
South Dakota State, ranked sixth in this week’s Stats Perform media poll and seventh by the FCS coaches, enters the matchup 5-1 overall and 2-1 in the MVFC. The Jackrabbits rebounded from an overtime loss at home to Southern Illinois two weeks ago by rolling past Western Illinois, 41-17, Oct. 16 in Macomb, Illinois.
Northern Iowa, meanwhile, has seen its fortunes fall the last two weeks with back-to-back losses at North Dakota State (34-20) and at home to South Dakota (34-21). The Panthers, ranked 20th and 24th, respectively, come into Saturday’s game with a 3-3 overall record and a 1-2 mark in the MVFC.
