ursus arctos horribilis
October 27th, 2021, 09:23 PM
2021 MISSOURI VALLEY FOOTBALL CONFERENCE
MVFC Stats – Click Here (http://www.mvc.org/football/stats/Valley%20Football%20Stats.pdf) | MVFC Composite Schedule -- Click Here (https://linkprotect.cudasvc.com/url?a=https%3a%2f%2fvalley-football.org%2fcalendar.aspx%3fpath%3dfootball&c=E,1,yN7twXlpGYiaHZoTqVqVNsr3dimLmSygKyempHwi2RWT-xMVlFQN515-q8aCcG4kCmcFSDZ-rimf46yFsGUBLnlZALseouKTiHlYR_tRnJ7gk4LwUwuG-S-P&typo=1)
NCAA Statistics – Click Here (https://linkprotect.cudasvc.com/url?a=https%3a%2f%2fstats.ncaa.org%2frankings%2fch ange_sport_year_div&c=E,1,mRjnMdfJ923UgEz_6F_K71TPIgaYLBK4h14t4LGm20rq WWtqfAZgQSQTq6pntUD0a2pxmiKT48pAb9pE53zsA3uTxDpujS 57ux2QBVpU&typo=1) | Top-25 Polls -- Click Here (https://www.ncaa.com/rankings/football/fcs/fcs-coaches-poll)
MVFC Records -- Click Here (https://linkprotect.cudasvc.com/url?a=http%3a%2f%2fwww.mvc.org%2ffootball%2frecord s.pdf&c=E,1,LOkD4Exgac5OzSxnHlkXyh3SeROo7swO3-7dgng04qjVGk4oGaPF1PUsXmOKoXJs6BxhjKkqjn2VdtWW7zkt UMPdVw58lORGq2wPf_6xAQEd4G58&typo=1) | MVFC Playoff History -- Click Here (https://linkprotect.cudasvc.com/url?a=http%3a%2f%2fwww.mvc.org%2ffootball%2fplayof fs.pdf&c=E,1,rqz-_id3iA-SMYo1-Trz1Qh0HI80avAeLngCzD3m6B58dO0mCQ7sMBlA3vkcsG4KnFH 3WXUIwC_Vl5zLSp6XNMp6lIYfuaIV_W1TSRv4&typo=1) | MVFC Draft Database -- Click Here (https://linkprotect.cudasvc.com/url?a=https%3a%2f%2fvalley-football.org%2fsports%2f2020%2f3%2f24%2fFB_0324202 857.aspx%3fpath%3dfootball&c=E,1,dxgCm3LSdlk_QhFwpWA1kfwLiptaVyB9bfrSJFFUsbX-SSmE4CFBPZ9Xw-Gh9eZzwNtje2YTnG-mPTzO6NrzbVMFTJBBh3R4onCi5PXVdiofC7UAvNfw&typo=1)
FCS Insider -- Click Here (https://linkprotect.cudasvc.com/url?a=https%3a%2f%2ffcsinsider.com%2f&c=E,1,3rB462R9KZ-aj2yNofuGFA9TqKQXYMRWX4Earw7riN3E_ztqOugup5gq2BwpL zt7KVV2pF5uyCpiAUfIkKrtUsBnLvSjTj6jHtoKYe9jgHKVuPp zXHxOEBrbksEt&typo=1) | Stats Perform -- Click Here (https://linkprotect.cudasvc.com/url?a=http%3a%2f%2fwww.fcs.football%2ffcsfront.asp&c=E,1,RNp9OmJwGyQPTgnEngU_v5QjJKoipACVxOqXwmSKZRyR PeqAHQOwZzl7U5GVxWDiwWUhGytnkLPvjVLVgWta1mTlttk6oK UmwhlQhdFYHjWZGXR8cFBDG7EaRw,,&typo=1) | HERO Sports -- Click Here (https://linkprotect.cudasvc.com/url?a=https%3a%2f%2fherosports.com%2fcategory%2fco llege-football%2ffcs%2f&c=E,1,RCc8_tC95gi2TageeGldFZx1_AffWt8LvdZDJ5-vLbx7CSpI2r98jPXJkxrGsIvPuPexsxfl3iB5CLLsEx5otyGav hh87fPePZRbmbyDGzYYTi8Cp2mfP5A,&typo=1)
MVFC Two-Minute Drill -- https://youtu.be/ajh7uSPYVjc
Weekly On-Line Notebook --- Click for More (https://valley-football.org/news/2021/10/27/valley-football-weekly-notebook-oct-27.aspx)
Youngstown State redshirt freshman Demeatric Crenshaw is one of 22 players named on Wednesday to the watch list for the 2021 Stats Perform FCS Jerry Rice Award -- Read More (https://valley-football.org/news/2021/10/27/football-ysus-crenshaw-named-to-jerry-rice-award-watch-list.aspx)
The Week Ahead
Two MVFC teams remain perfect in the league standings as Southern Illinois (4-0) and North Dakota State (4-0) have yet to lose a league game. Southern Illinois travels to Cedar Falls to take on UNI while North Dakota State hosts Indiana State in the FargoDome.
Saturday, Oct. 30
#10/13 SDSU at Youngstown St., 1 p.m. CT (KELO/CW/ESPN+)
RV North Dakota at #17/20 Missouri State, 2 p.m. CT (ESPN+)
Indiana State at #2/2 NDSU, 2:30 p.m. CT (ABC ND/ESPN+)
Illinois State at Western Illinois, 3 p.m. CT (ESPN3)
#3/3 Southern Illinois at #16/17 UNI, 4 p.m. CT (PSN/ESPN+)
Idle: #21/22 South Dakota
Weekly Football Notebook (PDF) (https://valley-football.org/documents/2021/10/27/MVFC_Notebook_10_27_2021.pdf?id=1144)
Perfect Starts
Counting NDSU and SIU this season, a league team has started Conference play with a 4-0 MVFC record 40 times in league history. Of the previous 38 occurrences, 32 teams made the playoffs, and 29 teams won/shared the league title. The MVFC has had two teams start 4-0 in the same season nine times, before this year most recently in 2014 when NDSU (5-0) and Illinois State (4-0) got off to quick starts.
Ranked vs. Ranked
Counting two games last week’s (Missouri State at North Dakota State and UNI at South Dakota State) been 203 games in league history in which two ranked MVFC teams played one another. The home team is 116-86, and the higher-ranked team has an all-time mark of 128-75. One game this week features a matchup of two MVFC ranked teams as #3/3 Southern Illinois travels to Cedar Falls to play #16/17 UNI.
MVFC is 18-2 vs. the FCS
Missouri Valley Football schools have built its FCS-best record against peer conferences to 18-2.
2021 FCS Leaders
Missouri Valley .. 18-2
CAA Football .. 16-5
Ivy League .. 17-6
Big Sky .. 12-7
ASUN .. 9-6
Only 3 Unbeatens Remain
Through games of Saturday, Oct. 23, there are only three FCS teams who still have a perfect record, including North Dakota State (7-0).
7-0 -- North Dakota State
6-0 -- Princeton
6-0 -- Sam Houston
Historic Defensive Start
North Dakota State currently leads the FCS in scoring defense (9.0 ppg) and ranks third in total defense (2400 ypg) through its first seven contests. The scoring defense average would be an all-time MVFC record. NDSU established the league’s scoring defense record in 2013 (11.3 ppg); and the Bison set the standard for fewest yards allowed in 2012 (235.1 ypg).
Youngstown State Still Perfect
Youngstown State has converted all of its trips into the Red Zone, and the Penguins are one of just three schools nationally to do so. YSU has 16 trips into the Red Zone with 12 TDs (8 rush, 4 pass) and four FGs. South Dakota State is next-best in the MVFC as the Jackrabbits are 31 of 34 this season.
Not Just in the Polls
In addition to the AFCA and Stats Perform Top 25 polls, the MVFC’s 11 schools are well-represented in all the metrics. In the Massey FCS ratings, the league holds the Top 4 spots (North Dakota State, South Dakota State, Southern Illinois, UNI). All 11 members rank among the top 32 teams in that index, and the MVFC has seven of the top 14. The league also has the top three rated teams in the Sagarin, with NDSU, SDSU and UNI ranking 1-2-3 among FCS programs.
Leading The Nation
Three student-athletes in the MVFC are among the national leaders in tackles per game. Western Illinois’ pair of Darius Joiner and Michael Lawson combine for nearly 25 tackles per game as Joiner leads the FCS with his 12.5 per game average and Lawson ranks 10th in the FCS at 10.2 per game. UNI’s Spencer Cuvelier is 3rd nationally with 12.0 tackles per game. Notably, a trio of MVFC players are among the national leaders in solo tackles. Joiner (7.6 per game) leads the FCS, while Lawson is second (7.4 per game). Jack Cochrane of South Dakota ranks sixth nationally with 5.9 solo tackles per game this year.
Defense Comes Up Big
The Redbird defense has picked up the Redbird offense on several occasions this season, but perhaps saved their best performance of the year for its win at No. 15 South Dakota. The ‘Birds held a USD offense that came into the game averaging 30 points per contest and over 300 yards of total offense to just 14 points and 269 yards in the victory. They also forced a fumble, recorded six TFLs and came up with two crucial interceptions against the Coyotes. The first resulted in a 20-yard pick six by linebacker Kenton Wilhoit and the second secured the win when Jarrell Jackson dove for the INT to give the offense the ball back and take a knee.
Mueller Breaks Free
For the second time this season, RB Cole Mueller took one to the house from deep in ISU’s territory. He’s shown a big play ability, as referenced by his 80-yard touchdown run in the season opener against Butler. Against No. 15 South Dakota, Mueller took the handoff up the middle and ran through a big hole untouched 69 yards to the end zone for a touchdown. He’s now averaging 6.4 yards per carry on the season and holds the team lead with three rushing scores.
Twin Trouble
Since joining the team this summer, twins Bryson and Braydon Deming have made an immediate impact for the Redbirds. After transferring from Montana, the brothers have each made huge contributions on each side of the football for ISU. Bryson ranks third on the team with nine receptions, averages 10.6 yards per reception and leads the squad with two receiving touchdowns on the season. Braydon has wreaked havoc from his defensive line spot, leading the team with four TFLs to go along with a sack and 28 tackles on the year.
Receiving Streaks Continue
Dante Hendrix and Zach Larkin continue two of the longest receiving streaks in Indiana State history following this past weekend’s contest against Youngstown State as the wide receiver-tight end duo led the Sycamores in the win against Youngstown State. Hendrix’s streak reached 24 consecutive games after hauling in three passes in the first quarter as the redshirt junior wide receiver continues to pace the Sycamores in the consecutive games category. Larkin hauled in a team-high five passes for 65 yards this past weekend to run his own streak to 15 consecutive games dating back to the middle of the 2019 season. The two Sycamores are also joined by teammate Rontrez Morgan (13 games) with three current active players boasting consecutive game catch streaks heading into the North Dakota State game this upcoming weekend.
Kerlegrand Catching Fire
Peterson Kerlegrand took the Sycamores offense on his back on Saturday afternoon and made the game-breaking play following an ISU interception with a 53-yard touchdown to secure the 28-17 Homecoming win over Youngstown State. Kerlegrand entered the weekend as the MVFC’s leading ball carrier and the Fort Wayne, Ind. posted a 25-carry, 151 yard effort with a pair of scores in the win over the Penguins. Kerlegrand scored from two yards out in the second quarter to put ISU up 14-7, while his 53-yard run in the fourth quarter marked his second 50-plus yard touchdown run of the 2021 season. Kerlegrand has posted two 150-plus rushing games in the last three weeks and has four touchdowns over the last three games for ISU. He currently is averaging 78.0 yards per game and 4.8 yards per carry while sitting among the conference leaders with 624 rushing yards in 2021.
Back-to-Back-to-Back-to-Back
Indiana State’s defense put together one of the most impressive stretches in FCS this weekend as the Sycamores recorded interceptions on four consecutive Youngstown State possessions on their way to securing the MVFC win. Three different Sycamores recorded the picks over the stretch, while JJ Henderson brought in his first two interceptions of the season on back-to-back possessions as Indiana State nearly doubled their season interception total in just one quarter. Ethan Hoover started the stretch with an interception early in the fourth quarter that led to Peterson Kerlegrand’s game-sealing 53-yard touchdown run. On the ensuing YSU possession, Henderson took in the pass on the first play of the drive and returned the ball down the YSU 19. The next possession, Henderson once again recorded the pick as he kept both feet in bounds at the ISU 19 to end a YSU drive in Sycamores territory. The final INT came late in the fourth as Omar Jackson went over the wide receiver and came down with the ball in the red zone to secure the win. Six different Sycamores have recorded interceptions on the year for ISU.
Murray Eclipses 1,000
Jordan Murray (WR, Lee’s Summit, Mo.) reached 1,000 career receiving yards during last week’s game at North Dakota State. He now has 85 receptions for 1,002 yards in 37 career games and is just the 24th Bears player to reach 1,000 career receiving yards.
Packing Them In
Missouri State’s home attendance average of 12,774 ranks 13th among all FCS programs this season. Ironically, the Bears will host North Dakota this week, which was Missouri State’s opponent for the largest home crowd in stadium history (18,386) on Sept. 13, 2014 in the Fighting Hawks only other trip to Springfield.
Johnson Earns Iron Man Crown
Defensive tackle Eric Johnson (Plainfield, Ill.) has played in 50 consecutive games, which is believed to be a program record. Johnson has racked up 107 total tackles in his career with 15.0 tackles for loss, 6.0 sacks and a pair of fumble recoveries. The sixth-year senior was an All-MVFC second-team selection in 2020-21.
Defense Steps Up
UND’s defense came up big in the 34-10 win over Western Illinois, holding the Leathernecks to just 330 total yards. The group got even stronger in the second half, limiting WIU to 99 yards over the final 30 minutes and forcing a pair of turnovers. The Hawks also recorded a trio of sacks and have 10 over the last three games.
Offensive Showcase
With the defense doing its job limiting yards, the offense got it going for its best output of the season. The Fighting Hawks finished with 607 total offensive yards on 81 plays, averaging 7.5 yards per play. It was a good mix as well, with 346 of those yards coming through the air and 261 coming on the ground.
Throwers Galore
For the second time this season, UND had a trio of players throw a touchdown pass in the 34-10 win over Western Illinois. Wide receivers Jake Richter and Brock Boltmann each tossed a score while traditional quarterback Tommy Schuster fired one as well. On the season, UND has had four-different players throw at least one touchdown pass this season, with Schuster (9) and Boltmann (2) each throwing multiple.
It’s Been a While
Indiana State this week makes its first trip to the Fargodome since 2016, and only two players on North Dakota State’s current roster have played in a football game against the Sycamores. Defensive end Logan McCormick was credited with a quarterback hurry in the 2017 road game and was a regular on the Bison kickoff return team that year playing in 13 of 15 games as a true freshman. Sixth-year offensive tackle Cordell Volson was a backup lineman and played nine games on the PAT and field goal unit as a redshirt freshman in 2017.
Miller Sparks Win, Again
Sophomore quarterback Cam Miller came off the bench to lead two fourth-quarter scoring drives as NDSU came from behind to beat Missouri State 27-20 last week. Miller completed his last seven passing attempts and finished 7 of 9 for 122 yards with a 29-yard TD to Phoenix Sproles and a 24-yard TD to Christian Watson, who had his fourth career 100-yard receiving game with four catches for 106 yards. Miller sparked the Bison to a win last spring over Illinois State with a team-high 57 yards rushing, including a 6-yard TD run that capped a 13-play, 84-yard scoring drive with 3:39 left in the 21-13 win.
Sack Attack
NDSU’s defense registered five sacks for the third straight game last week while holding Missouri State to season lows of 321 yards of total offense and 3 of 13 on third down, and MSU’s fewest points against an FCS opponent this year (20). Michael Tutsie and Cole Wisniewski led the Bison with eight tackles apiece, Brayden Thomas came back from injury to record 2.5 tackles for loss and 1.5 sacks, and Jasir Cox had a sack and snared his third interception in two games. NDSU ranks fifth in the FCS with a conference-best 3.86 sacks per game.
October Success
Counting the lone game of the fall last October against Central Arkansas, North Dakota State’s 4-0 start in the Missouri Valley Football Conference this month has extended NDSU’s winning streak to 19 straight games in the month of October since a 19-17 home loss to South Dakota State on the 15th of October 2016.
Blackout Game
UNI host No. 3 Southern Illinois (6-1 / 4-0 MVFC) on Saturday. The Salukis are coming off a bye week. UNI is 20-17 all-time against SIU, and the Panthers have won four of the last five matchups. However, the Salukis edged out the Panthers 17-16 in the last meeting this past spring. The game will be a Blackout Game, and fans are urged to wear black.
Turnovers a Key
UNI is one of three MVFC teams to rank in the Top 10 nationally in turnover margin, as the Panthers are tied for 9th with +1.00. UNI ranks third in the FCS with 18 turnovers gained, and that leads the MVFC.
Going Deep
Isaiah Weston continues to be a big-play receiver for the Panthers as he leads the nation in yards per catch (26.27 yards/catch). He had four receptions for 125 yards against South Dakota State this past weekend. Christian Watson of North Dakota State is also in the Top 10, averaging 21.95 yards per catch.
Bye Week
The week off couldn’t have come at a better time for the Coyotes who had a number of players go down with injuries in recent weeks. Most notably, quarterback Carson Camp was injured early in the second quarter against Illinois State and did not return. Coach Bob Nielson is hopeful to have Camp back in the lineup against Western Illinois next week. He’s confident that senior captain DeValon Whitcomb will return to the defensive line and hopes to see fellow lineman Brendan Webb return as well.
Senior Milestones
Caleb Vander Esch has vaulted into the top five of the Coyotes’ all-time receptions list with 116. He has 1,332 yards and nine touchdowns in his four seasons. Linebacker Jack Cochrane has 294 tackles in 42 collegiate games. That’s the most by a Coyote since 1995 and the eighth-most in program history.
Second-Half Surges
With a 2-2 record at the halfway mark of the Missouri Valley Football Conference schedule, the South Dakota State football team has history on its side as the Jackrabbits enter the stretch run. In the 12 previous seasons the Jackrabbits have played a full eight-game league slate, SDSU has posted a 37-11 record in the second halves of those campaigns. In addition, the Jackrabbits went 3-0 in the second half of an abbreviated, six-game league schedule during the 2020-21 season. The Jackrabbits have run the table in the second half three times (2013, 2017, 2018) en route to Football Championship Subdivision playoff berths. SDSU has gone 3-1 in the second half seven times and 2-2 on two occasions.
Touchdown Streaks
South Dakota State’s Pierre Strong, Jr. and Jadon Janke extended modest touchdown streaks in a losing effort Oct. 23 against Northern Iowa. A senior running back, Strong scored on a 9-yard run early in the fourth quarter. It was the fourth consecutive game in which Strong scored a touchdown and also was his team-leading 10th of the season and the 32nd rushing touchdown of his career, tying him with Dan Sonnek (1984-97) for fifth place on the SDSU career charts. Janke, a junior wide receiver, caught a touchdown pass for the third consecutive game when he tallied the Jackrabbits’ first score of the game on a . He leads the team with six receiving touchdowns in 2021.
Sack Rabbits
South Dakota State ran its streak of notching multiple sacks in a game to nine consecutive games dating back to last season when the Jackrabbits tallied three Oct. 23 against Northern Iowa. Defensive linemen Caleb Sanders, Xavier Ward and Tolu Ogunrinde each registered a sack in the Hobo Day game, giving SDSU a team total of 22 sacks so far this year. Sanders and Reece Winkelman share the team lead with 4.5 sacks, while a total of 14 different players have recorded at least a half-sack this season.
Last Time vs. UNI
Southern Illinois’ 17-16 victory over the Panthers in Spring 2021 ended a four-game UNI series winning streak. SIU has not won back-to-back games vs. UNI since the 2012 and 2013 seasons. SIU’s last win at the UNI Dome was a 24-17 overtime win in 2013. SIU is 3-14 lifetime at the UNI Dome. SIU’s never won consecutive games at the UNI Dome. However, the Salukis did win the 1966 game at O.R. Latham Stadium in Cedar Falls and then beat the Panthers at the UNI dome in the schools’ next meeting in 1983. This will be SIU’s first game at UNI since 2016.
Lenoir Climbing the Ladder
WR Landon Lenoir is third all-time (11 shy of #2) at SIU with 186 career receptions. He is third all-time at SIU in career receiving yards with 2,356. His 17 career TD receptions is good for a fifth place all time at SIU. He is currently 9th in the nation in receiving yards (627) and is tied for third in receiving TDs (8).
Bye Week
Southern Illinois is 1-2 following bye weeks under Coach Nick Hill. Southern went to UNI after a bye in 2016 and lost, 42-21. The last time SIU won six consecutive games came when it won 11 in a row in 2009. The last time SIU won three MVFC games in succession came in 2019 when it won five in a row. Notably, SIU is 12-4 in its last 16 MVFC games, and the Salukis are 7-2 in their last nine games vs. Top 25 teams. SIU is 41-12 lifetime when ranked in the Top 5.
QB Baker = Win Maker
QB Nic Baker of Southern Illinois is 9-1 as the Salukis’ starting QB. He’s quarterbacked 13 games at SIU. Baker is in 16th place on SIU’s career passing yards list with 2,571.
Sampson Eclipses Personal Mark
QB Connor Sampson reached a new personal feat while facing the Fighting Hawks. The veteran quarterback broke his single-season record of passing yards -- having totaled 2,092 in 2019. He currently sits at 2,359 passing yards and has produced at least 20 completions in every game this year, including four showings of 30 or more completions.
Home Sweet Home
Western Illinois is back at home for the next two weeks; bringing in Illinois State (Oct. 30) and South Dakota (Nov. 6).
Craycraft Steps In
Backup QB Joe Craycraft came on in the first quarter vs. Indiana State when starter Demeatric Crenshaw went out with an injury. Craycraft completed 13-of-31 passes for 172 yards and a touchdown while rushing for 29 yards on five carries. He does bring experience to the position for the Penguins having started seven previous games in 2019 (four) and the spring of 2021 (three). In his career, he has 194 yards rushing on 75 attempts while completing 106-of-211 passes for 1,297 yards and 10 touchdowns.
Two No. 4’s Return
The YSU lineup got a shot in the arm with the return of a pair of No. 4’s - Dra Rushton and Quincy Lenton. Lenton returned to the lineup just six months following an Achilles injury while Rushton had not played this year, also because of injuries. Rushton had four rushes for 15 yards while Lenton played a good amount in the secondary and was credited with three tackles, two of which were solos.
Dixon Model of Consistency
Senior LB Grant Dixon has at least five tackles in every game this season. He has 39 total stops this fall - 20 solos and 19 assists. Dixon also has interceptions against UNI and Indiana State. In the spring, Dixon led the Penguins in the spring with 55 total tackles. In 10 of 13 games with the program he has recorded at least six stops. He had a fall season-best nine stops at Indiana State despite playing with a broken hand. He also intercepted a pass in the end zone vs. the Sycamores.
Mike Kern
Associate Commissioner
MVFC Stats – Click Here (http://www.mvc.org/football/stats/Valley%20Football%20Stats.pdf) | MVFC Composite Schedule -- Click Here (https://linkprotect.cudasvc.com/url?a=https%3a%2f%2fvalley-football.org%2fcalendar.aspx%3fpath%3dfootball&c=E,1,yN7twXlpGYiaHZoTqVqVNsr3dimLmSygKyempHwi2RWT-xMVlFQN515-q8aCcG4kCmcFSDZ-rimf46yFsGUBLnlZALseouKTiHlYR_tRnJ7gk4LwUwuG-S-P&typo=1)
NCAA Statistics – Click Here (https://linkprotect.cudasvc.com/url?a=https%3a%2f%2fstats.ncaa.org%2frankings%2fch ange_sport_year_div&c=E,1,mRjnMdfJ923UgEz_6F_K71TPIgaYLBK4h14t4LGm20rq WWtqfAZgQSQTq6pntUD0a2pxmiKT48pAb9pE53zsA3uTxDpujS 57ux2QBVpU&typo=1) | Top-25 Polls -- Click Here (https://www.ncaa.com/rankings/football/fcs/fcs-coaches-poll)
MVFC Records -- Click Here (https://linkprotect.cudasvc.com/url?a=http%3a%2f%2fwww.mvc.org%2ffootball%2frecord s.pdf&c=E,1,LOkD4Exgac5OzSxnHlkXyh3SeROo7swO3-7dgng04qjVGk4oGaPF1PUsXmOKoXJs6BxhjKkqjn2VdtWW7zkt UMPdVw58lORGq2wPf_6xAQEd4G58&typo=1) | MVFC Playoff History -- Click Here (https://linkprotect.cudasvc.com/url?a=http%3a%2f%2fwww.mvc.org%2ffootball%2fplayof fs.pdf&c=E,1,rqz-_id3iA-SMYo1-Trz1Qh0HI80avAeLngCzD3m6B58dO0mCQ7sMBlA3vkcsG4KnFH 3WXUIwC_Vl5zLSp6XNMp6lIYfuaIV_W1TSRv4&typo=1) | MVFC Draft Database -- Click Here (https://linkprotect.cudasvc.com/url?a=https%3a%2f%2fvalley-football.org%2fsports%2f2020%2f3%2f24%2fFB_0324202 857.aspx%3fpath%3dfootball&c=E,1,dxgCm3LSdlk_QhFwpWA1kfwLiptaVyB9bfrSJFFUsbX-SSmE4CFBPZ9Xw-Gh9eZzwNtje2YTnG-mPTzO6NrzbVMFTJBBh3R4onCi5PXVdiofC7UAvNfw&typo=1)
FCS Insider -- Click Here (https://linkprotect.cudasvc.com/url?a=https%3a%2f%2ffcsinsider.com%2f&c=E,1,3rB462R9KZ-aj2yNofuGFA9TqKQXYMRWX4Earw7riN3E_ztqOugup5gq2BwpL zt7KVV2pF5uyCpiAUfIkKrtUsBnLvSjTj6jHtoKYe9jgHKVuPp zXHxOEBrbksEt&typo=1) | Stats Perform -- Click Here (https://linkprotect.cudasvc.com/url?a=http%3a%2f%2fwww.fcs.football%2ffcsfront.asp&c=E,1,RNp9OmJwGyQPTgnEngU_v5QjJKoipACVxOqXwmSKZRyR PeqAHQOwZzl7U5GVxWDiwWUhGytnkLPvjVLVgWta1mTlttk6oK UmwhlQhdFYHjWZGXR8cFBDG7EaRw,,&typo=1) | HERO Sports -- Click Here (https://linkprotect.cudasvc.com/url?a=https%3a%2f%2fherosports.com%2fcategory%2fco llege-football%2ffcs%2f&c=E,1,RCc8_tC95gi2TageeGldFZx1_AffWt8LvdZDJ5-vLbx7CSpI2r98jPXJkxrGsIvPuPexsxfl3iB5CLLsEx5otyGav hh87fPePZRbmbyDGzYYTi8Cp2mfP5A,&typo=1)
MVFC Two-Minute Drill -- https://youtu.be/ajh7uSPYVjc
Weekly On-Line Notebook --- Click for More (https://valley-football.org/news/2021/10/27/valley-football-weekly-notebook-oct-27.aspx)
Youngstown State redshirt freshman Demeatric Crenshaw is one of 22 players named on Wednesday to the watch list for the 2021 Stats Perform FCS Jerry Rice Award -- Read More (https://valley-football.org/news/2021/10/27/football-ysus-crenshaw-named-to-jerry-rice-award-watch-list.aspx)
The Week Ahead
Two MVFC teams remain perfect in the league standings as Southern Illinois (4-0) and North Dakota State (4-0) have yet to lose a league game. Southern Illinois travels to Cedar Falls to take on UNI while North Dakota State hosts Indiana State in the FargoDome.
Saturday, Oct. 30
#10/13 SDSU at Youngstown St., 1 p.m. CT (KELO/CW/ESPN+)
RV North Dakota at #17/20 Missouri State, 2 p.m. CT (ESPN+)
Indiana State at #2/2 NDSU, 2:30 p.m. CT (ABC ND/ESPN+)
Illinois State at Western Illinois, 3 p.m. CT (ESPN3)
#3/3 Southern Illinois at #16/17 UNI, 4 p.m. CT (PSN/ESPN+)
Idle: #21/22 South Dakota
Weekly Football Notebook (PDF) (https://valley-football.org/documents/2021/10/27/MVFC_Notebook_10_27_2021.pdf?id=1144)
Perfect Starts
Counting NDSU and SIU this season, a league team has started Conference play with a 4-0 MVFC record 40 times in league history. Of the previous 38 occurrences, 32 teams made the playoffs, and 29 teams won/shared the league title. The MVFC has had two teams start 4-0 in the same season nine times, before this year most recently in 2014 when NDSU (5-0) and Illinois State (4-0) got off to quick starts.
Ranked vs. Ranked
Counting two games last week’s (Missouri State at North Dakota State and UNI at South Dakota State) been 203 games in league history in which two ranked MVFC teams played one another. The home team is 116-86, and the higher-ranked team has an all-time mark of 128-75. One game this week features a matchup of two MVFC ranked teams as #3/3 Southern Illinois travels to Cedar Falls to play #16/17 UNI.
MVFC is 18-2 vs. the FCS
Missouri Valley Football schools have built its FCS-best record against peer conferences to 18-2.
2021 FCS Leaders
Missouri Valley .. 18-2
CAA Football .. 16-5
Ivy League .. 17-6
Big Sky .. 12-7
ASUN .. 9-6
Only 3 Unbeatens Remain
Through games of Saturday, Oct. 23, there are only three FCS teams who still have a perfect record, including North Dakota State (7-0).
7-0 -- North Dakota State
6-0 -- Princeton
6-0 -- Sam Houston
Historic Defensive Start
North Dakota State currently leads the FCS in scoring defense (9.0 ppg) and ranks third in total defense (2400 ypg) through its first seven contests. The scoring defense average would be an all-time MVFC record. NDSU established the league’s scoring defense record in 2013 (11.3 ppg); and the Bison set the standard for fewest yards allowed in 2012 (235.1 ypg).
Youngstown State Still Perfect
Youngstown State has converted all of its trips into the Red Zone, and the Penguins are one of just three schools nationally to do so. YSU has 16 trips into the Red Zone with 12 TDs (8 rush, 4 pass) and four FGs. South Dakota State is next-best in the MVFC as the Jackrabbits are 31 of 34 this season.
Not Just in the Polls
In addition to the AFCA and Stats Perform Top 25 polls, the MVFC’s 11 schools are well-represented in all the metrics. In the Massey FCS ratings, the league holds the Top 4 spots (North Dakota State, South Dakota State, Southern Illinois, UNI). All 11 members rank among the top 32 teams in that index, and the MVFC has seven of the top 14. The league also has the top three rated teams in the Sagarin, with NDSU, SDSU and UNI ranking 1-2-3 among FCS programs.
Leading The Nation
Three student-athletes in the MVFC are among the national leaders in tackles per game. Western Illinois’ pair of Darius Joiner and Michael Lawson combine for nearly 25 tackles per game as Joiner leads the FCS with his 12.5 per game average and Lawson ranks 10th in the FCS at 10.2 per game. UNI’s Spencer Cuvelier is 3rd nationally with 12.0 tackles per game. Notably, a trio of MVFC players are among the national leaders in solo tackles. Joiner (7.6 per game) leads the FCS, while Lawson is second (7.4 per game). Jack Cochrane of South Dakota ranks sixth nationally with 5.9 solo tackles per game this year.
Defense Comes Up Big
The Redbird defense has picked up the Redbird offense on several occasions this season, but perhaps saved their best performance of the year for its win at No. 15 South Dakota. The ‘Birds held a USD offense that came into the game averaging 30 points per contest and over 300 yards of total offense to just 14 points and 269 yards in the victory. They also forced a fumble, recorded six TFLs and came up with two crucial interceptions against the Coyotes. The first resulted in a 20-yard pick six by linebacker Kenton Wilhoit and the second secured the win when Jarrell Jackson dove for the INT to give the offense the ball back and take a knee.
Mueller Breaks Free
For the second time this season, RB Cole Mueller took one to the house from deep in ISU’s territory. He’s shown a big play ability, as referenced by his 80-yard touchdown run in the season opener against Butler. Against No. 15 South Dakota, Mueller took the handoff up the middle and ran through a big hole untouched 69 yards to the end zone for a touchdown. He’s now averaging 6.4 yards per carry on the season and holds the team lead with three rushing scores.
Twin Trouble
Since joining the team this summer, twins Bryson and Braydon Deming have made an immediate impact for the Redbirds. After transferring from Montana, the brothers have each made huge contributions on each side of the football for ISU. Bryson ranks third on the team with nine receptions, averages 10.6 yards per reception and leads the squad with two receiving touchdowns on the season. Braydon has wreaked havoc from his defensive line spot, leading the team with four TFLs to go along with a sack and 28 tackles on the year.
Receiving Streaks Continue
Dante Hendrix and Zach Larkin continue two of the longest receiving streaks in Indiana State history following this past weekend’s contest against Youngstown State as the wide receiver-tight end duo led the Sycamores in the win against Youngstown State. Hendrix’s streak reached 24 consecutive games after hauling in three passes in the first quarter as the redshirt junior wide receiver continues to pace the Sycamores in the consecutive games category. Larkin hauled in a team-high five passes for 65 yards this past weekend to run his own streak to 15 consecutive games dating back to the middle of the 2019 season. The two Sycamores are also joined by teammate Rontrez Morgan (13 games) with three current active players boasting consecutive game catch streaks heading into the North Dakota State game this upcoming weekend.
Kerlegrand Catching Fire
Peterson Kerlegrand took the Sycamores offense on his back on Saturday afternoon and made the game-breaking play following an ISU interception with a 53-yard touchdown to secure the 28-17 Homecoming win over Youngstown State. Kerlegrand entered the weekend as the MVFC’s leading ball carrier and the Fort Wayne, Ind. posted a 25-carry, 151 yard effort with a pair of scores in the win over the Penguins. Kerlegrand scored from two yards out in the second quarter to put ISU up 14-7, while his 53-yard run in the fourth quarter marked his second 50-plus yard touchdown run of the 2021 season. Kerlegrand has posted two 150-plus rushing games in the last three weeks and has four touchdowns over the last three games for ISU. He currently is averaging 78.0 yards per game and 4.8 yards per carry while sitting among the conference leaders with 624 rushing yards in 2021.
Back-to-Back-to-Back-to-Back
Indiana State’s defense put together one of the most impressive stretches in FCS this weekend as the Sycamores recorded interceptions on four consecutive Youngstown State possessions on their way to securing the MVFC win. Three different Sycamores recorded the picks over the stretch, while JJ Henderson brought in his first two interceptions of the season on back-to-back possessions as Indiana State nearly doubled their season interception total in just one quarter. Ethan Hoover started the stretch with an interception early in the fourth quarter that led to Peterson Kerlegrand’s game-sealing 53-yard touchdown run. On the ensuing YSU possession, Henderson took in the pass on the first play of the drive and returned the ball down the YSU 19. The next possession, Henderson once again recorded the pick as he kept both feet in bounds at the ISU 19 to end a YSU drive in Sycamores territory. The final INT came late in the fourth as Omar Jackson went over the wide receiver and came down with the ball in the red zone to secure the win. Six different Sycamores have recorded interceptions on the year for ISU.
Murray Eclipses 1,000
Jordan Murray (WR, Lee’s Summit, Mo.) reached 1,000 career receiving yards during last week’s game at North Dakota State. He now has 85 receptions for 1,002 yards in 37 career games and is just the 24th Bears player to reach 1,000 career receiving yards.
Packing Them In
Missouri State’s home attendance average of 12,774 ranks 13th among all FCS programs this season. Ironically, the Bears will host North Dakota this week, which was Missouri State’s opponent for the largest home crowd in stadium history (18,386) on Sept. 13, 2014 in the Fighting Hawks only other trip to Springfield.
Johnson Earns Iron Man Crown
Defensive tackle Eric Johnson (Plainfield, Ill.) has played in 50 consecutive games, which is believed to be a program record. Johnson has racked up 107 total tackles in his career with 15.0 tackles for loss, 6.0 sacks and a pair of fumble recoveries. The sixth-year senior was an All-MVFC second-team selection in 2020-21.
Defense Steps Up
UND’s defense came up big in the 34-10 win over Western Illinois, holding the Leathernecks to just 330 total yards. The group got even stronger in the second half, limiting WIU to 99 yards over the final 30 minutes and forcing a pair of turnovers. The Hawks also recorded a trio of sacks and have 10 over the last three games.
Offensive Showcase
With the defense doing its job limiting yards, the offense got it going for its best output of the season. The Fighting Hawks finished with 607 total offensive yards on 81 plays, averaging 7.5 yards per play. It was a good mix as well, with 346 of those yards coming through the air and 261 coming on the ground.
Throwers Galore
For the second time this season, UND had a trio of players throw a touchdown pass in the 34-10 win over Western Illinois. Wide receivers Jake Richter and Brock Boltmann each tossed a score while traditional quarterback Tommy Schuster fired one as well. On the season, UND has had four-different players throw at least one touchdown pass this season, with Schuster (9) and Boltmann (2) each throwing multiple.
It’s Been a While
Indiana State this week makes its first trip to the Fargodome since 2016, and only two players on North Dakota State’s current roster have played in a football game against the Sycamores. Defensive end Logan McCormick was credited with a quarterback hurry in the 2017 road game and was a regular on the Bison kickoff return team that year playing in 13 of 15 games as a true freshman. Sixth-year offensive tackle Cordell Volson was a backup lineman and played nine games on the PAT and field goal unit as a redshirt freshman in 2017.
Miller Sparks Win, Again
Sophomore quarterback Cam Miller came off the bench to lead two fourth-quarter scoring drives as NDSU came from behind to beat Missouri State 27-20 last week. Miller completed his last seven passing attempts and finished 7 of 9 for 122 yards with a 29-yard TD to Phoenix Sproles and a 24-yard TD to Christian Watson, who had his fourth career 100-yard receiving game with four catches for 106 yards. Miller sparked the Bison to a win last spring over Illinois State with a team-high 57 yards rushing, including a 6-yard TD run that capped a 13-play, 84-yard scoring drive with 3:39 left in the 21-13 win.
Sack Attack
NDSU’s defense registered five sacks for the third straight game last week while holding Missouri State to season lows of 321 yards of total offense and 3 of 13 on third down, and MSU’s fewest points against an FCS opponent this year (20). Michael Tutsie and Cole Wisniewski led the Bison with eight tackles apiece, Brayden Thomas came back from injury to record 2.5 tackles for loss and 1.5 sacks, and Jasir Cox had a sack and snared his third interception in two games. NDSU ranks fifth in the FCS with a conference-best 3.86 sacks per game.
October Success
Counting the lone game of the fall last October against Central Arkansas, North Dakota State’s 4-0 start in the Missouri Valley Football Conference this month has extended NDSU’s winning streak to 19 straight games in the month of October since a 19-17 home loss to South Dakota State on the 15th of October 2016.
Blackout Game
UNI host No. 3 Southern Illinois (6-1 / 4-0 MVFC) on Saturday. The Salukis are coming off a bye week. UNI is 20-17 all-time against SIU, and the Panthers have won four of the last five matchups. However, the Salukis edged out the Panthers 17-16 in the last meeting this past spring. The game will be a Blackout Game, and fans are urged to wear black.
Turnovers a Key
UNI is one of three MVFC teams to rank in the Top 10 nationally in turnover margin, as the Panthers are tied for 9th with +1.00. UNI ranks third in the FCS with 18 turnovers gained, and that leads the MVFC.
Going Deep
Isaiah Weston continues to be a big-play receiver for the Panthers as he leads the nation in yards per catch (26.27 yards/catch). He had four receptions for 125 yards against South Dakota State this past weekend. Christian Watson of North Dakota State is also in the Top 10, averaging 21.95 yards per catch.
Bye Week
The week off couldn’t have come at a better time for the Coyotes who had a number of players go down with injuries in recent weeks. Most notably, quarterback Carson Camp was injured early in the second quarter against Illinois State and did not return. Coach Bob Nielson is hopeful to have Camp back in the lineup against Western Illinois next week. He’s confident that senior captain DeValon Whitcomb will return to the defensive line and hopes to see fellow lineman Brendan Webb return as well.
Senior Milestones
Caleb Vander Esch has vaulted into the top five of the Coyotes’ all-time receptions list with 116. He has 1,332 yards and nine touchdowns in his four seasons. Linebacker Jack Cochrane has 294 tackles in 42 collegiate games. That’s the most by a Coyote since 1995 and the eighth-most in program history.
Second-Half Surges
With a 2-2 record at the halfway mark of the Missouri Valley Football Conference schedule, the South Dakota State football team has history on its side as the Jackrabbits enter the stretch run. In the 12 previous seasons the Jackrabbits have played a full eight-game league slate, SDSU has posted a 37-11 record in the second halves of those campaigns. In addition, the Jackrabbits went 3-0 in the second half of an abbreviated, six-game league schedule during the 2020-21 season. The Jackrabbits have run the table in the second half three times (2013, 2017, 2018) en route to Football Championship Subdivision playoff berths. SDSU has gone 3-1 in the second half seven times and 2-2 on two occasions.
Touchdown Streaks
South Dakota State’s Pierre Strong, Jr. and Jadon Janke extended modest touchdown streaks in a losing effort Oct. 23 against Northern Iowa. A senior running back, Strong scored on a 9-yard run early in the fourth quarter. It was the fourth consecutive game in which Strong scored a touchdown and also was his team-leading 10th of the season and the 32nd rushing touchdown of his career, tying him with Dan Sonnek (1984-97) for fifth place on the SDSU career charts. Janke, a junior wide receiver, caught a touchdown pass for the third consecutive game when he tallied the Jackrabbits’ first score of the game on a . He leads the team with six receiving touchdowns in 2021.
Sack Rabbits
South Dakota State ran its streak of notching multiple sacks in a game to nine consecutive games dating back to last season when the Jackrabbits tallied three Oct. 23 against Northern Iowa. Defensive linemen Caleb Sanders, Xavier Ward and Tolu Ogunrinde each registered a sack in the Hobo Day game, giving SDSU a team total of 22 sacks so far this year. Sanders and Reece Winkelman share the team lead with 4.5 sacks, while a total of 14 different players have recorded at least a half-sack this season.
Last Time vs. UNI
Southern Illinois’ 17-16 victory over the Panthers in Spring 2021 ended a four-game UNI series winning streak. SIU has not won back-to-back games vs. UNI since the 2012 and 2013 seasons. SIU’s last win at the UNI Dome was a 24-17 overtime win in 2013. SIU is 3-14 lifetime at the UNI Dome. SIU’s never won consecutive games at the UNI Dome. However, the Salukis did win the 1966 game at O.R. Latham Stadium in Cedar Falls and then beat the Panthers at the UNI dome in the schools’ next meeting in 1983. This will be SIU’s first game at UNI since 2016.
Lenoir Climbing the Ladder
WR Landon Lenoir is third all-time (11 shy of #2) at SIU with 186 career receptions. He is third all-time at SIU in career receiving yards with 2,356. His 17 career TD receptions is good for a fifth place all time at SIU. He is currently 9th in the nation in receiving yards (627) and is tied for third in receiving TDs (8).
Bye Week
Southern Illinois is 1-2 following bye weeks under Coach Nick Hill. Southern went to UNI after a bye in 2016 and lost, 42-21. The last time SIU won six consecutive games came when it won 11 in a row in 2009. The last time SIU won three MVFC games in succession came in 2019 when it won five in a row. Notably, SIU is 12-4 in its last 16 MVFC games, and the Salukis are 7-2 in their last nine games vs. Top 25 teams. SIU is 41-12 lifetime when ranked in the Top 5.
QB Baker = Win Maker
QB Nic Baker of Southern Illinois is 9-1 as the Salukis’ starting QB. He’s quarterbacked 13 games at SIU. Baker is in 16th place on SIU’s career passing yards list with 2,571.
Sampson Eclipses Personal Mark
QB Connor Sampson reached a new personal feat while facing the Fighting Hawks. The veteran quarterback broke his single-season record of passing yards -- having totaled 2,092 in 2019. He currently sits at 2,359 passing yards and has produced at least 20 completions in every game this year, including four showings of 30 or more completions.
Home Sweet Home
Western Illinois is back at home for the next two weeks; bringing in Illinois State (Oct. 30) and South Dakota (Nov. 6).
Craycraft Steps In
Backup QB Joe Craycraft came on in the first quarter vs. Indiana State when starter Demeatric Crenshaw went out with an injury. Craycraft completed 13-of-31 passes for 172 yards and a touchdown while rushing for 29 yards on five carries. He does bring experience to the position for the Penguins having started seven previous games in 2019 (four) and the spring of 2021 (three). In his career, he has 194 yards rushing on 75 attempts while completing 106-of-211 passes for 1,297 yards and 10 touchdowns.
Two No. 4’s Return
The YSU lineup got a shot in the arm with the return of a pair of No. 4’s - Dra Rushton and Quincy Lenton. Lenton returned to the lineup just six months following an Achilles injury while Rushton had not played this year, also because of injuries. Rushton had four rushes for 15 yards while Lenton played a good amount in the secondary and was credited with three tackles, two of which were solos.
Dixon Model of Consistency
Senior LB Grant Dixon has at least five tackles in every game this season. He has 39 total stops this fall - 20 solos and 19 assists. Dixon also has interceptions against UNI and Indiana State. In the spring, Dixon led the Penguins in the spring with 55 total tackles. In 10 of 13 games with the program he has recorded at least six stops. He had a fall season-best nine stops at Indiana State despite playing with a broken hand. He also intercepted a pass in the end zone vs. the Sycamores.
Mike Kern
Associate Commissioner