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South Dakota State University Football Team Makes 10th Consecutive Postseason Appearance

Strategic Insights

— 2 min read

The South Dakota State University football team will make its 10th consecutive postseason appearance, and 11th in 13 seasons, as it hosts UC Davis in the opening round of the Football Championship Subdivision Playoffs. The game, which kicks off at 2 p.m. on Saturday, will be exclusively televised through the ESPN+ streaming platform. Both teams earned at-large selections to the 24-team field and enter the matchup with 8-3 overall records. The Jackrabbits, ranked 11th in the final regular season polls, posted a 24-21 home win over North Dakota in their most recent contest on Nov. 20.

Key Takeaways:

  • The South Dakota State University football team has made its 10th consecutive postseason appearance, and 11th in 13 seasons, under the leadership of head coach John Stiegelmeier.
  • The team will host UC Davis in the opening round of the Football Championship Subdivision Playoffs, with the game exclusively televised through the ESPN+ streaming platform.
  • Both teams earned at-large selections to the 24-team field and enter the matchup with 8-3 overall records.
  • The Jackrabbits, ranked 11th in the final regular season polls, posted a 24-21 home win over North Dakota in their most recent contest on Nov. 20.
  • The team has a rich history against UC Davis, with the series dating back to 1997 when the two schools were still in the NCAA Division II era.
  • The Jackrabbits lead the all-time series 5-2, with the last four meetings decided by seven points or less.
  • South Dakota State University is one of only two Football Championship Subdivision programs to reach the playoffs each of the last 10 seasons, along with North Dakota State University.
  • The team has a strong SU record in the second halves of the Missouri Valley Football Conference schedule, including a 37-11 record in the last 12 seasons.
  • The Jackrabbits have a long history of success in the MVFC, with a 76-34 record and six or more league wins in six different seasons.
  • The team has a strong ranking streak, appearing in the top 25 of 130 consecutive media polls dating back to October 2012.
  • Running back Pierre Strong, Jr. and linebacker Adam Bock are finalists for the 2021 Stats Perform Walter Payton Award and the Buck Buchanan Award, respectively.

Statistics:

  • 10th consecutive postseason appearance (11th in 13 seasons)
  • 76-34 overall record in Missouri Valley Football Conference games
  • 6 or more league wins in 6 different seasons
  • 37-11 record in the second halves of the last 12 seasons
  • 130 consecutive media polls with a top 25 ranking (dating back to October 2012)
  • 1,317 rushing yards and 15 touchdowns by Pierre Strong, Jr. in the 2021 season

Sources:

  • South Dakota State University news release, date: Nov. 25, 2021
  • Stats Perform FCS poll, date: Nov. 2021
  • Football Championship Subdivision Playoffs website, date: 2021

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