The FCS season is quick approaching, so we’re going inside every convention race. With South Dakota State and North Dakota State – the most-recent nationwide championship applications – main the way in which, right here’s our 2024 Missouri Valley soccer preview.
If a crew is competing for the Missouri Valley Soccer Convention title, it’s additionally competing for the FCS nationwide championship.
Many instances, they’re the identical crew.
South Dakota State has swept via its MVFC schedule in every of the final two seasons on the way in which to capturing back-to-back nationwide titles underneath an Eddie Robinson Award-winning coach – first with John Stiegelmeier in 2022 adopted by Jimmy Rogers’ first season guiding the Jackrabbits.
Previous to that, North Dakota State captured 10 MVFC titles and 9 nationwide championships from 2011-21.
The 2 FCS powers make it onerous for different MVFC groups to maintain up, however seven general start the 2024 season within the Stats Carry out FCS High 25 Ballot.
2024 Missouri Valley Soccer Convention Preview
Predicted Order of End
*-FCS Playoff Qualifier
1. *North Dakota State (2023 Report: 11-4, 5-3; No. 2 nationwide preseason rating) – First-year coach Tim Polasek was part of 4 FCS championship groups as a Bison assistant coach. That’s at all times the purpose, in fact, and the Bison will chase a tenth title behind an FCS-leading eight preseason All-Individuals: first-teamers Eli Mostaert (line of defense), Cole Wisniewski (security) and Hunter Brozio (lengthy snapper); second-teamers Cam Miller (quarterback), Gray Zabel (offensive line), Dylan Hendricks (defensive finish), Logan Kopp (linebacker); and third-teamer Griffin Crosa (place-kicker). Wisniewski, although, has been sidelined within the preseason by a foot damage. Polasek absolutely will need to do one thing former coach Matt Entz did: combine in QB Cole Payton off the bench (615 dashing yards, 13 touchdowns final season).
2. *South Dakota State (15-0, 8-0; No. 1 nationwide preseason rating) – Even with substantial senior losses, the Jackrabbits start the season as a prohibitive No. 1. They’ll take a 29-game successful streak (third-longest in FCS historical past) into an Aug. 31 opener at Oklahoma State. Quarterback Mark Gronowski seeks a second consecutive Walter Payton Award, and remains to be surrounded by the likes of middle Gus Miller, offensive guard Evan Beernsten, working backs Amar and Angel Johnson, and huge receiver Griffin Wilde. The ‘Jacks allowed a mere 9.3 factors per sport final season, and their protection nonetheless boasts D-tackle Jarod DePriest, linebackers Adam Bock (344 profession tackles) and Graham Spalding, and a loaded secondary with Dalys Beanum, Tucker Giant, Cale Reeder and Colby Huerter.
3. *South Dakota (10-3, 7-1; No. 5 nationwide preseason rating) – The Coyotes have been a mere 3-8 in 2022, however loved an enormous turnaround with a second-place end within the MVFC. Whereas they should enhance on a 24-point common, their offense returns 9 starters, together with QB Aidan Bouman and veteran weapons in RB Travis Theis, WR Carter Bell and tight finish JJ Galbreath. The protection will stay bodily behind D-tackle Nick Gaes and security Dennis Shorter. Place-kicker Will Leyland achieved perfection in going 13 on 13 on area targets and 38 of 38 on further factors.
4. *Southern Illinois (8-5, 4-4; No. 10 nationwide preseason rating) – There’s a distinct look with the Salukis, who added influential transfers and wish to switch QB Nic Braker, presumably with junior Hunter Simmons or former Murray State starter DJ Williams. The brand new No. 1 will work behind an skilled offensive line and goal WR Vinson Davis III. The secondary with Ubady Steed and David Miller is a power even following the spring switch of Mark Davis Jr.
5. *Illinois State (6-5, 4-4; No. 19 nationwide preseason rating) – Given the Redbirds suffered 4 of their 5 losses by a mixed eight factors, they weren’t far off from the next degree. They have to work in a brand new beginning quarterback – Kansas State switch Jake Rubley or three-game starter Tommy Rittenhouse – however have 17 returning starters. It’s a extremely proficient group as properly, that includes LBs Amir Abdullah and Tye Niekamp, RB Mason King (980 yards, 14 TDs), WR Daniel Sobkowicz (68 receptions, 933 yards, 10 TDs) and OL Hunter Zambrano.
6. Youngstown State (8-5, 5-3; No. 25 nationwide preseason rating) – The Penguins, coming off their first playoff look since 2016, determine to be led by their offense even whereas working in a brand new quarterback. Tyshon King (187 carries, 1,011 yards, 9 TDs) will maintain working behind Jaison Williams and an enormous O-line, and Max Tomczak is the top-returning receiver. The protection, nonetheless, misplaced its prime 9 tacklers, so loads of transfers will fill key roles. In a convention of wonderful kickers, Andrew Lastovka was 17 of 20 on area purpose makes an attempt.
7. Northern Iowa (6-5, 5-3) – That UNI was chosen eighth within the MVFC preseason ballot was jarring heading into coach Mark Farley’s twenty fourth season. Aidan Dunne backed up quarterback Theo Dunne final yr, and the offense might look to run a bit extra given the return of dashing leaders Tye Edwards (536 yards, 5 TDs) and Amauri Pesek-Hickson (441, 5) and 6-foot-6, 338-pound left deal with Jared Penning. Defensive lineman Cannon Butler and LB Tucker Langenberg anchor the protection.
8. North Dakota (7-5, 5-3; No. 24 nationwide preseason rating) – With playoff appearances in 4 of the final 5 seasons, the Combating Hawks know tips on how to substitute departed gamers. Nevertheless it received’t be straightforward with out longtime QB Tommy Schuster, though prime WR Bo Belquist and all-purpose standout Gaven Ziebarth are good options for the brand new sign caller. Linebacker Wyatt Pedigo led the Combating Hawks with 72 tackles and tied for the FCS excessive with 4 fumble recoveries, however he’s one in every of solely three returning defensive starters.
9. Missouri State (4-7, 3-5) – The Bears are taking part in their remaining MVFC season earlier than shifting as much as the FBS, however they continue to be on the FCS scholarship degree and ought to be much-improved. Quarterback Jacob Clark handed for 1,018 yards and 10 TDs within the first 4 video games earlier than an damage sidelined him. He reunites with RB Jacardia Wright and WR Jmariyae Robinson. The Bears don’t essentially need them in motion, however punter Grant Burkett and lengthy snapper Caden Bolz are two of the very best within the FCS at their positions.
10. Indiana State (1-10, 1-7) – The Sycamores beat solely winless Western Illinois final season. Security Maddix Blackwell corralled 107 tackles and LB Garret Ollendieck almost reached the century membership with 97. Working again Plez Lawrence flashed his skill as a redshirt freshman by dashing for 203 yards and three TDs towards Murray State. The house video games are way more favorable than the street portion of the schedule.
11. Murray State (2-9, 1-7) – That is the a centesimal season of Murray State soccer. The Racers, who solely topped Indiana State of their first MVFC schedule final yr, are shifting ahead underneath first-year coach Jody Wright, who served as South Carolina’s tight ends coach the final two seasons. Main rusher Jawaun Northington will look to run behind O-lineman Ashton Finn. The defensive chief is security Kanyon Walker.
How the Convention Predicted the Race
5 Gamers to Know
Amir Abdullah, LB, Illinois State (Buck Buchanan Award preseason nominee) – In a breakout junior season, Abdullah led the MVFC with 14 TFLs and 9 sacks.
Adam Bock, LB, South Dakota State, Sr. (Buck Buchanan Award preseason nominee) – Bock was a 2021 Buchanan finalist whereas racking up 125 tackles. He seeks that degree once more after being set again by damage the final two seasons.
Mark Gronowski, QB, South Dakota State (Walter Payton Award preseason nominee) – The 2023 Payton Award recipient’s most spectacular statistic – a 37-3 profession report as a starter. The FCS quarterback wins report is inside attain (former NDSU sign caller Easton Stick was 49-3 as a starter).
Cam Miller, QB, North Dakota State (Walter Payton Award preseason nominee) – The twin-threat has accounted for 8,116 yards of complete offense and 84 TDs (48 passing, 36 dashing) throughout 51 profession video games.
Jared Penning, OT, Northern Iowa – Penning’s brother Trevor was a first-round NFL Draft select of UNI in 2022 (New Orleans Saints). Now the youthful Panthers’ O-lineman dominates within the trenches.
5 Should-See Matchups
1. South Dakota State at North Dakota State (Oct. 19) – The Dakota Marker regular-season rivalry is tied 10-10 since its inception in 2004, though the collection dates to 1903. Together with the postseason, SDSU has received the final 5 conferences.
2. North Dakota State at Colorado (Aug. 29)
3. South Dakota at South Dakota State (Oct. 26)
4. North Dakota State at South Dakota (Nov. 23)
5. Illinois State at Southern Illinois (Oct. 5)
Quick Truth
The MVFC has had a crew play within the FCS championship sport in every of the final 13 seasons (North Dakota State 10 instances, South Dakota State three, and Illinois State and Youngstown State as soon as every). It far exceeds the second-longest streak, CAA Soccer’s 5 straight appearances from 2006-10.
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