Jackrabbits Can’t Afford Any More Missteps If They Want to Make the Playoffs

If the road is going to lead to a third straight FCS Playoff appearance for South Dakota State, the Jackrabbits are going to have to do something they did last year: finish the regular season with a winning streak.

SDSU is currently in a logjam in the middle of the Missouri Valley Conference standings, already with three league losses, the same number they had during their 2013 post season run.

Loss number three in MVC play came at the hands of #1 North Dakota State last Saturday in Fargo.

The Jackrabbits took a 10-6 lead into halftime, but saw the Bison take control of the game in the second half with a trio of long scoring drives and some help from the SDSU offense who turned it over on downs, threw an interception, and fumbled away another possession.

The loss spoiled the return of senior quarterback Austin Sumner, who hadn't seen action since breaking his foot in the season opener at Missouri, August 30th.

I asked Jacks head coach John Stiegelmeier about what he saw from Sumner in Fargo:

This weekend, South Dakota State starts of three-straight must win games as they travel to Indiana State Saturday.

The Sycamores are one of the most improved teams in FCS after a one-win season in 2013. They moved to 6-3 overall, and 3-2 in the Missouri Valley, with a last second win over Missouri State last Saturday that was set up by the 'hidden ball' trick on a kickoff return.

I asked Coach Stiegelmeier about the task at hand for his team and the match-up with Indiana State:

Kickoff is noon Central in Terre Haute Saturday. SDSU is back home next Saturday as they host Western Illinois.