Last week, we previewed the Jackrabbits non-conference schedule. Today we are taking a quick look at the Missouri Valley Football Conference schedule.
During the season we will do a breakdown of the upcoming opponent. However, as we are still in preseason mode and gojacks.com recently released the game times, I figured it was a good time to take a quick preview of the schedule.
On Tuesday, the conference released its preseason poll and this should add some context to my team by team analysis.
NDSU edges SDSU in closest pre-season vote in MVFC history…. https://t.co/SbUv8xwksr— Valley Football (@ValleyFootball) July 25, 2017
Missouri Valley Football Pre-Season Poll
#1 NDSU
#2 SDSU
#3 Young
#4 UNI
#5 Ill State
#6 West Ill
#7 USD
#8 South Ill
#9 Miss St
#10 Ind St— craig mattick (@craigmattick) July 25, 2017
@ Youngstown State Penguins
Saturday, September 30, 6pm cst
What to Know:
Youngstown (YSU) ended last season with a flurry and rattled off 6 straight wins after a November 5th defeat to NDSU and reached the FCS Championship game. YSU loses a ton of defensive talent as four different defenders from last years team are now on NFL rosters. However, following the loss to NDSU, YSU reinvented their offense and averaged 39 ppg over their six game winning streak. Coach Pelini unleashed Hunter Wells as a passer and that seemed to make all the difference. However, YSU did graduate its leading running back and second leading receiver, Jody Webb. YSU also lost its second leading rusher Martin Ruiz, but does return Wells’ favorite target Alvin Bailey for his senior season. The defense has many unknowns but it does return the leading tackler Armando Dellovade who registered 105 stops and 3 sacks last year for the Penguins.
The Penguins always seem to have a competitive team. We will see if Coach Pelini can capture the magic that lead to an excellent late season run for Youngstown.
Southern Illinois Salukis
Saturday, October 7th, 6pm
“Hall of Fame Game”
What to Know:
Southern Illinois University (SIU) has been known for its explosive offense the last few years. Last year’s game against SDSU featured a combined 1,092 yards of offense and 84 points with the Jacks coming out victorious. On the season SIU averaged 30 ppg but also allowed 30 ppg. Last year they had four different running backs who had between 350 and 200 yards rushing on the season. All four of these players return with sophomore MVFC preseason honorable mention D.J. Davis and senior Cameron Walter leading the charge. Junior quarterback Sam Straub played in 5 games last year and finished with 11 yards and 8 touchdowns. Junior Connor Iwema, MVFC honorable mention, is the leading returning receiver (44 rec, 557 yards, 5 touchdowns). Senior left tackle Austin Olsen was named to the first team All-MVFC team and Hans Carmien (FB), Jeremy Chin (S), and Craig James (CB) were also named preseason Honorable Mention MVFC.
Unless there are major changes on defense, look for the Salukis to continue to struggle. They return a lot of weapons on offense but their defense will need to hold up its end of the bargain.
Northern Iowa Panthers
Saturday, October 14th, 2pm
“Hobo Day”
What to Know:
The University of Northern Iowa (UNI) has to be glad that football season is here. After a tumultuous off season that saw an exodus of assistant coaches and a few recruits getting on the field will be good for the program. UNI should again have a stout defense led by All-MVFC preseason picks Malcolm Washington (CB) and tackling machine Jared Farley (LB). In addition, defensive back Elijah Campbell and punter Sam Kuhter were named MVFC preseason honorable mention.
The Panthers also return great experience on the offensive side of the ball with QB Eli Dunn back for his senior year after passing for nearly 1200 yards and 7 touchdowns in only 5 games as the starter. He will benefit from having his leading receivers Daurice Fountain (33 rec, 413 yds, 5 tds) and running back Trevor Allen (22 rec, 341 yds, 1 td). I also expect the explosive kick and punt returner Jalen Rima to take on more of a role in the offense in his sophomore year. Rima along with Cal Twait (OL) were named MVFC preseason honorable mention players.
Look for UNI to have a better year and make a push at the playoffs. If not, this may be Coach Farley’s last season in Cedar Falls.
@ Missouri State Bears
Saturday, October 21st, 2pm
What to Know:
The Bears feel like a program that is just stuck. Last year they finished 4-7 but expectations for a better season. The scores from their last three games show a team that may have quit. The bears scored 23.4 ppg but allowed a whopping 35.7 ppg. For MSU to improve they will need to play better defense. This task may prove difficult as they lose All MVFC linebacker Dylan Cole to graduation. However, their defense will feature All-MVFC preseason selection Colby Isbell (DL) and honorable mention selection McNeece Egbim (LB).
The Bears graduated their top two quarterbacks in terms of snaps played last season so I think it will be an open competition going into camp as the position was still unsettled after spring ball. The Bears do return their leading rusher Jason Randall (459 yards rushing and 2 td) and second leading rusher Calan Crowder (351 and 4). Additionally, the quarterback will have experienced receivers to throw to as leading receivers and All-MVFC first team preseason selections Malik Earl (41red, 531 yds, and 3 tds) and Deion Holliman (30, 246, and 3) return at the receiver position as well as tight end Erik Furmanek (27, 245, 4). Holliman is also a dangerous return specialist as he scored on both a punt and kick return last season. The Bears offense also brings back honorable mention selection Coleman Clanton on the offensive line.
If the Bears can find a consistent quarterback and compete every week they will be improved. If the improvement helps them break .500 it should be a good season.
@ Western Illinois Leathernecks
Saturday, October 28th, 1pm
What to Know:
The Leathernecks are a dangerous team in 2017. The Leathernecks are always physical but have now amassed pretty good talent to go with that bruising attitude. Last year WIU scored 29 ppg but allowed 31.45. Their defense returns All-MVFC selection Brett Taylor at linebacker to get the defense lined up. Quentin Moon (LB) and Khalen Saunders (DL) were selected as honorable mention honorees and will be counted on to help improve the defense.
The offensive side of the ball is where the Leathernecks are most dangerous. The return of All-MVFC running back Steve McShane (947 and 8 tds) and honorable mention quarterback Sean McGuire (2914 yards passing and 20 tds along with 207 yards rushing and 5 tds) will keep defenses on their toes. WIU will need to replace it’s top two receivers but Isaiah LeSure showed promise last season.
WIU will be a tough game for SDSU. It is the second game of a back to back road trip and the week before the Dakota Marker Game. SDSU can not afford a let down for this game. WIU has weapons on offense and will probably have an improved defense in 2017.
North Dakota State University Bison
Saturday, November 4th, 2pm
“Dakota Marker Game”
What to Know:
This game has is still three months away and there is already great hoopla surrounding it. Both teams could enter 8-0. The game is already nearing sold-out status and general tickets have not even been opened up to the public. Jacks fans know the Bison all too well. They are lead by QB Easton Stick, RB Lance Dunn, and receivers Darius Shepherd and R.J. Urzendowski. The Bison are the most physical FCS team and can control the ball for long stretches behind their big offensive line, wearing down the defense. On offense the Bison hummed to the tune of 29.1 ppg game and over 400 yards per game.
On defense the Bison feature NFL hopeful Nick DeLuca at linebacker. Their defensive line is also solid with Menard, Tanguay, and Morgan all earning reputations as impact players. On the back end Robbie Grimsley and Trey Dempsey are play makers who can make game changing plays. This defense allowed only 16.6 ppg and held opponents to 319 total yards per game.
The Bison will be hungry this year as lasts seasons loss to eventual FCS Champion James Madison University ended a run of five straight national titles. The Jacks will be looking to retain the Dakota Marker in front of the largest crowd to ever watch a football game live in South Dakota. This game should be exciting as long as both teams stay healthy through the season.
Illinois State Redbirds
Saturday, November 11th, 2pm
“Military Appreciation Game”
What to Know:
The Jacks won’t get to rest up at all before facing another powerhouse, the Illinois State Redbirds. The Redbirds nearly derailed SDSU’s quest to receive a bye and seed for the 2016 playoffs with a late season upset of the Jackrabbits in Normal defeating the rabbits 38-21. The Redbirds made the FCS playoffs but lost to Central Arkansas in the first round.
Illinois State’s offense was not as dynamic as it had been in previous seasons and only averaged 26 ppg but their defense was very strong in holding opponents to 21.8 ppg. Quarterback Jake Kolbe returns for his junior year after throwing for 2703 yards and 22 touchdowns in 2016. Anthony Warrum has finally graduated but ISU returns its other top receivers Schnell (59recs, 479yds, 1td ), Gibbs (49, 547, 5), and Fowler (28, 400, 3). The Redbirds lose their top two rushers from 2016 but return James Robinson who ran for 348 yards and 2 td as a freshman in 2016.
On defense the Redbirds graduated a number of impact players but return the best cornerback in the MVFC, Devontae Harris (59 tackles, 1 sack, 2 interceptions, and 13 pass break ups). Harris is flanked by fellow MVFC performers Alec Kocour (91 tackles) at safety and Dalton Keene (72 tackles and 3.5 sacks) on the defensive line. The defensive should be in good hands but may not be as dominant as it was in 2016.
The Redbirds could be poised to make a return to the FCS playoffs. They return a lot of firepower on offense and still have plenty of talent on defense to compete in the MVFC.
@ University of South Dakota Coyotes
Saturday, November 18th, 2pm
What to Know:
The Jacks close out the season with in state rival USD. The Yotes have slowly become more competitive since making the jump to the FCS from division II. The Yotes are picked to finish 7th in the MVFC but that is too low in my opinion with the firepower that returns on offense. Last season, USD averaged 29.9 ppg but allowed 34.5 ppg. If USD wants to make a run at the FCS playoffs and be taken as a serious contender they need to improve their defense.
On the offensive side of the ball USD returns Honorable Mention pick and dual threat quarterback Chris Streveler (1947 yards passing and 22 touchdowns to go with 823 yards rushing and 9 touchdowns). Also returning for USD is leading receiver Tryston Ducker (26, 274, 1). Outside of Steveler, Michael Fredrick (371, and 2) will be counted on to lead the rushing attack. The Yotes will need more consistent play out of their offensive line in 2017. There were times when Streveler was running for his life. However, the Yotes have focused hard on the o-line in their last two recruiting classes and that could pay dividends this year.
Defensively the Coyotes return impact players Danny Rambo and Adam Harris in the defensive backfield. They will miss the graduated Jet Moreland as he always seemed to be around the ball. Linebacker Jim Litrenta is back for his senior year and is the returning leading tackler with 67 stops in 2016. John Wessell is also returning after missing all of 2016 due to injury. He was good for 68 tackles in 2015. The Yotes will be young across the defensive line but are much bigger than they have been in recent years. They have good numbers at this position and should be able to find some talent that can impact the game.
The Dakota Dome is always a tough place to play. Their fanbase would consider a win against the Jackrabbits equivalent to a Super Bowl victory. This is the final game of a brutal four game stretch for the Jacks and it will take their best effort to come away with a victory.
The MVFC is always loaded with talent. Any given week can feature an upset that disrupts the final standings so the Jacks will need to bring their “A” game every Saturday. What conference game are you most looking forward to in 2017?
Go Jacks!
-Matt
