BROOKINGS South Dakota State will close out the regular season in Missouri on Saturday as the Jackrabbits will take on the Missouri State Bears at 2 p.m.
No. 3 ranked SDSU (9-2) is looking to clinch a top-four seed in the FCS Playoffs. The Jackrabbits have won four-straight games after falling to North Dakota State in Fargo on Oct. 19. The last three have each been by more than 30 points and SDSU head coach Jimmy Rogers said he makes sure his team plays its best football down the stretch by always preparing them get better.
We dont believe in the narrative that you are what you are after a certain game, Rogers said. You have an opportunity to prepare and grow after last weeks game, and not get caught looking out ahead and be in the present moment and stay focused on the things that truly matter. Most of those things that matter dont have to do with the result, but have everything to do with creating the process to get the result you want.
Thats easier said than done because everyone is human and the natural being is to get comfortable or complacent and just go with the flow. Every practice that we have or meeting that we have, we try to engage with our players to make sure they are ready and they do take this seriously.
Missouri State (8-3) had its eight-game win streak snapped on Saturday against NDSU and it wasnt close. The Bears came into that game as the No. 14 ranked team in the FCS and the top-ranked Bison blew them out 59-21.
The Bison put up 575 yards of offense and scored on nine of their first 10 possessions against the Bears. Despite the lopsided result against NDSU, Rogers believes Missouri State, who is now ranked 18th, is better than it showed in Fargo.
Theyre good, and I think their defense plays hard. Its a sound defense. They dont do a ton, but its a sound defense. Their guys fly around and are physical. Theyve always had great talent on the back end, Rogers said.
The Bears offense is led by senior quarterback Jacob Clark. Clark leads the Missouri Valley in passing with 3,418 yards. Hes also thrown 28 touchdowns and six interceptions and is second in the conference in completion percentage at 71.9%.
Clark threw for 247 yards and a touchdown against the Bison but was 18-of-30. He was sacked four times by NDSU and Rogers said getting pressure on him will be key on Saturday.
NDSU was able to get pressure rushing four and blitzing, and I thought their D-line played well. They kind of made them move the pocket and then did a good job in coverage on the back end, making the ball be thrown in tight windows. Thats the recipe for success when youre playing a team that passes the ball as much as [Missouri State] passes the ball. You have to be great up front and be able to get home, call blitzes that are timely and just execute, Rogers said.
The Jacks have dominated the second quarter in their last two games. In the first quarter of the past two games they were outscored 7-6 but then in the second quarter they outscored each team 28-0. Rogers said there wasnt anything specific that SDSU did in each of those quarters.
If youre asking if we spiked the Powerade with super juice before the second quarter, we dont, Rogers said.
There are two other games that Jackrabbit fans will be paying attention to on Saturday. The Bison will be taking on No. 4 ranked South Dakota in Vermillion and No. 2 Montana State will host No. 10 Montana. Both games will be played at 1 p.m. Central time.
The SDSU players will be focused on the Bears, but both games will impact the seeding in the FCS Playoffs. Rogers said nothing matters if the Jacks dont beat the Bears, who are not eligible for the playoffs this season, so he thinks his team will be ready to avoid a slip up in Springfield.
We talk weekly about not taking for granted what it takes to win and I think a little bit of that is respecting your opponent. This team is third in the league and whether or not they are eligible for the playoffs is really pointless. Youre playing a team who has the caliber and skill to beat you and you need to play your best ball. It takes a certain level of attention, focus and preparation throughout the week that you want to have on Saturday. Its really what you do [during the week] all the way until the clock starts that really matters, Rogers said.
You can watch Saturdays game on ESPN+ or listen to the game on AM 570 WNAX. The FCS Playoff Selection Show will be at 11:30 a.m. on Sunday and will be televised on ESPNU.
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