2023 Missouri Valley Football Conference season

American college football conference season

Sports season

2023 Missouri Valley Football Conference season

League| NCAA Division I Football Championship Subdivision
Sport| Football
Duration| August 31, 2023
through January 7, 2024
Number of teams| 12
2024 NFL Draft
Top draft pick| Mason McCormick, G, South Dakota State
Picked by| Pittsburgh Steelers (round 4, pick 119)
Regular season
Champion

Playoff Participants| South Dakota State

North Dakota
North Dakota State
South Dakota
Southern Illinois
Youngstown State
Football seasons

← 2022

2024 →

2023 Missouri Valley Football Conference standings

* v
* t
* e

| Conf. |  |  | Overall

|
|
|
|

Team |  | W |  | L |  |  |  |  | W |  | L |
No. 1 South Dakota State $^  |  | 8  | - | 0  |  |  |  |  | 15  | - | 0  |
No. 4 South Dakota ^  |  | 7  | - | 1  |  |  |  |  | 10  | - | 3  |
No. 3 North Dakota State ^  |  | 5  | - | 3  |  |  |  |  | 11  | - | 4  |
No. 19 Youngstown State ^  |  | 5  | - | 3  |  |  |  |  | 8  | - | 5  |
No. 16 North Dakota ^  |  | 5  | - | 3  |  |  |  |  | 7  | - | 5  |
Northern Iowa |  | 5  | - | 3  |  |  |  |  | 6  | - | 5  |
No. 12 Southern Illinois ^  |  | 4  | - | 4  |  |  |  |  | 8  | - | 5  |
Illinois State |  | 4  | - | 4  |  |  |  |  | 6  | - | 5  |
Missouri State |  | 3  | - | 5  |  |  |  |  | 4  | - | 7  |
Murray State |  | 1  | - | 7  |  |  |  |  | 2  | - | 9  |
Indiana State |  | 1  | - | 7  |  |  |  |  | 1  | - | 10  |
Western Illinois |  | 0  | - | 8  |  |  |  |  | 0  | - | 11  |

* $ - Conference champion
* ^ - FCS playoff participant

As of February 25, 2025
Rankings from STATS Poll

The 2023 Missouri Valley Football Conference football season was the 38th season of college football play for the Missouri Valley Football Conference and part of the 2023 NCAA Division I FCS football season. This was the MVFC's first season with 12 teams, as the conference added Murray State over the offseason. It was also the last season with 12 teams for now, as it was announced in May 2023 that Western Illinois would be leaving the MVFC after the 2023 season for the Ohio Valley Conference.[1]

South Dakota State made it to the National Championship and won their 2nd FCS title in program history and became the third MVFC team to win back to back titles.[2] North Dakota State made the playoffs unseeded, and won their way into the semifinals where they lost to 2nd seeded Montana.[3] South Dakota made the playoffs as the 3rd seed, and made it to the quarterfinals, where they lost to North Dakota State.[4] Youngstown State and Southern Illinois made the playoffs unseeded as well, and made it to the 2nd round, losing to 8th seeded Villanova[5] and 4th seeded Idaho.[6] North Dakota made the playoffs unseeded and lost to Sacramento State in the opening round.[7]

## Previous season

[edit]

In 2022, South Dakota State won the conference and received the automatic bid to the 2022 playoffs. The Jacks would go on to win their first FCS Championship over rival North Dakota State.[8]
Besides SDSU and NDSU; North Dakota made the playoffs as well. UND lost to Weber State in the first round to be eliminated from contention.[9]

## Offseason

[edit]

Over the offseason, the conference officially welcomed in their 12th league member. Murray State will begin their tenure as a MVFC member after joining the sister conference (Missouri Valley Conference) in the summer of 2022. The Racers arrive in the Valley from the Ohio Valley Conference.[10]

## Coaching changes

[edit]

### Missouri State

[edit]

On December 19, 2022, Ryan Beard was named the new head coach at Missouri State.[11] Beard was previously the Bears defensive coordinator for the last three years. He takes over for Bobby Petrino who left the program for an eventual job at Texas A&M.[12]

### South Dakota State

[edit]

On January 20, 2023, Jimmy Rogers was named the new head coach at South Dakota State.[13] Rogers was promoted from defensive coordinator for the Jacks. Former coach John Stiegelmeier retired after the end of last season, leading South Dakota State for 26 seasons.[14]

## Preseason

[edit]

### Preseason League Poll

[edit]

The annual preseason poll; voted on by conference coaches, athletic directors, and media members.[15]

Predicted finish  | Team  | Points (1st place votes)

|
|

1 | South Dakota State | 539 (44)
2 | North Dakota State | 492 (1)
3 | Northern Iowa | 409
4 | North Dakota | 399
5 | Southern Illinois | 337
6 | Youngstown State | 323
7 | Illinois State | 269
8 | Missouri State | 229
9 | South Dakota | 226
10 | Indiana State | 148
11 | Murray State | 74
12 | Western Illinois | 65

### Preseason Individual Awards

[edit]

| Award  | Player  | School  | Position  | Year

|
|
|
|

First Team Offense  | Mark Gronowski  | South Dakota State  | QB  | Jr.
Isaiah Davis  | South Dakota State  | RB  | Sr.
Justin Dinka  | Indiana State  | RB  | RS Jr.
Hunter Brozio  | North Dakota State  | FB  | Sr.
Jaxon Janke  | South Dakota State  | WR  | Sr.
Bo Belquist  | North Dakota  | WR  | Sr.
Bryce Oliver  | Youngstown State  | WR  | Sr.
Zach Heins  | South Dakota State  | TE  | Sr.
Mason McCormick  | South Dakota State  | OL  | Sr.
Garret Greenfield  | South Dakota State  | OL  | Sr.
Donny Ventrelli  | North Dakota  | OL  | Sr.
Jalen Sundell  | North Dakota State  | OL  | Sr.
Jaison Williams  | Youngstown State  | OL  | Jr.
First Team Defense  | Khristian Boyd  | Northern Iowa  | DL  | RS Sr.
Ben McNaboe  | North Dakota  | DL  | Sr.
Dylan Wudke  | Youngstown State  | DL  | Sr.
Eli Mostaert  | North Dakota State  | DL  | Sr.
Adam Bock  | South Dakota State  | LB  | Sr.
Brock Mogensen  | South Dakota  | LB  | Sr.
Stephen Hillis  | South Dakota  | LB  | Sr.
Branson Combs  | Southern Illinois  | LB  | RS Sr.
Woo Governor  | Northern Iowa  | DB  | Sr.
DyShawn Gales  | South Dakota State  | DB  | Sr.
PJ Jules  | Southern Illinois  | DB  | RS Sr.
Rylan Cole  | Indiana State  | DB  | Jr.
Myles Harden  | South Dakota  | DB  | Jr.
First Team Special Teams  | Matthew Cook  | Northern Iowa  | PK  | Sr.
Grant Burkett  | Missouri State  | P  | Jr.
Caden Bolz  | Missouri State  | LS  | Jr.
Jayden Price  | North Dakota State  | RS  | Sr.
Carter Bell  | South Dakota  | AP  | Jr.

| Award  | Player  | School  | Position  | Year

|
|
|
|

Second Team Offense  | Theo Day  | Northern Iowa  | QB  | RS Sr.
TaMerik Williams  | North Dakota State  | RB  | Sr.
Travis Theis  | South Dakota  | RB  | Jr.
Jacardia Wright  | Missouri State  | RB  | Jr.
Mike Morgan  | South Dakota State  | FB  | Sr.
D'Ante' Cox  | Southern Illinois  | WR  | Sr.
Jadon Janke  | South Dakota State  | WR/RS  | Sr.
Sam Schnee  | Northern Iowa  | WR  | RS Sr.
Alex Allen  | Northern Iowa  | TE  | RS Sr.
Joe Stoffel  | North Dakota State  | TE  | Jr.
Jared Penning  | Northern Iowa  | OL  | RS Jr.
Isaac Erbes  | South Dakota  | OL  | So.
Jake Kubas  | North Dakota State  | OL  | Jr.
Jose Vazquez IV  | Indiana State  | OL  | RS Sr.
Brandon Westberg  | North Dakota State  | OL  | So.
Hunter Zambrano  | Illinois State  | OL  | So.
Second Team Defense  | Will Mostaert  | North Dakota State  | DL  | Sr.
Lucas Hunter  | Indiana State  | DL  | Sr.
Cade Terveer  | South Dakota State  | DL  | Sr.
Chris Fitzgerald  | Youngstown State  | DL  | Jr.
Jason Freeman  | South Dakota State  | LB  | Sr.
Juan DelaCruz  | Western Illinois  | LB  | Jr.
Geoffrey Brown  | Indiana State  | LB  | Jr.
Isaiah Stalbird  | South Dakota State  | LB  | Sr.
Cole Wisniewski  | North Dakota State  | LB  | Sr.
C.J. Siegel  | North Dakota  | DB/RS  | Sr.
Dalys Beanum  | South Dakota State  | DB  | Sr.
Jayden Price  | North Dakota State  | DB  | Sr.
PJ Hall  | Missouri State  | DB  | Jr.
Dillon Gearhart  | Illinois State  | DB  | Jr.
Second Team Special Teams  | Griffin Crosa  | North Dakota State  | PK  | Sr.
Hunter Dustman  | South Dakota State  | P  | Sr.
Sam Merryman  | Youngstown State  | LS  | Jr.
Jalen Carr  | Illinois State  | AP  | Jr.

Source:[16]

## Rankings

[edit]

Main article: 2023 NCAA Division I FCS football rankings

Legend |  | Improvement in ranking

|
|

| Drop in ranking
| Not ranked previous week
| No change in ranking from previous week
RV  | Received votes but were not ranked in Top 25 of poll
т  | Tied with team above or below also with this symbol
| Pre | Wk
1 | Wk
2 | Wk
3 | Wk
4 | Wk
5 | Wk
6 | Wk
7 | Wk
8 | Wk
9 | Wk
10 | Wk
11 | Wk
12 | Final

|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|

Illinois State  | STATS Perform  |  |  | RV  |  |  |  |  | RV  |  |  |  |  |  |
AFCA Coaches  | RV  | RV  | 25  | RV  | RV  |  | RV  | 25  | RV  | RV  | RV  | RV  | RV  | RV
Indiana State  | STATS Perform  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
AFCA Coaches  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Missouri State  | STATS Perform  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
AFCA Coaches  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Murray State  | STATS Perform  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
AFCA Coaches  |  |  | RV  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
North Dakota  | STATS Perform  | 17  | 17  | 14  | 14  | 12  | 16  | 15  | 11  | 15  | 13  | 10  | 13  | 12  | 16
AFCA Coaches  | 18  | 15  | 13  | 14  | 11  | 15  | 15  | 9  | 17  | 15  | 12  | 17  | 14  | 16
North Dakota State  | STATS Perform  | 2  | 2  | 2  | 2  | 2  | 7  | 6  | 14  | 12  | 11  | 12  | 9  | 8  | 3
AFCA Coaches  | 2  | 2  | 2  | 2  | 2  | 8  | 7  | 15  | 11  | 10  | 13  | 9  | 7  | 3
Northern Iowa  | STATS Perform  | 23  | 21  | RV  | RV  | RV  | RV  | RV  | RV  | 23  | 18  | 15  | 22  | RV  | RV
AFCA Coaches  | 20  | 20  | RV  | RV  | RV  | RV  | RV  | RV  | RV  | 23  | 20  | RV  |  |
South Dakota  | STATS Perform  |  |  |  |  |  | 15  | 10  | 6  | 4  | 9  | 6  | 5  | 3  | 4
AFCA Coaches  |  |  |  |  |  | 21  | 17  | 16  | 9  | 12  | 6  | 5  | 3  | 4
South Dakota State  | STATS Perform  | 1  | 1  | 1  | 1  | 1  | 1  | 1  | 1  | 1  | 1  | 1  | 1  | 1  | 1
AFCA Coaches  | 1  | 1  | 1  | 1  | 1  | 1  | 1  | 1  | 1  | 1  | 1  | 1  | 1  | 1
Southern Illinois  | STATS Perform  | RV  | 24  | 15  | 12  | 10  | 6  | 13  | 12  | 11  | 10  | 11  | 16  | 14  | 12
AFCA Coaches  | RV  | 23  | 18  | 13  | 10  | 5  | 13  | 12  | 12  | 11  | 15  | 20т  | 17  | 13
Western Illinois  | STATS Perform  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
AFCA Coaches  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Youngstown State  | STATS Perform  | RV  | 25  | 25  | 24  | 23  | RV  | 23  | 25  | 24  | 22  | 22  | 25  | 21  | 19
AFCA Coaches  | RV  | 25  | RV  | 24  | 19  | RV  | 20т  | RV  | RV  | RV  | RV  | RV  | 23  | 21

## Schedule

[edit]

Index to colors and formatting

MVFC member won
MVFC member lost
MVFC teams in bold

All times Central time.

† denotes Homecoming game
^ denotes AP Poll ranking for FBS teams

### Regular season schedule

[edit]

#### Week 1

[edit]

Date | Time | Visiting team | Home team | Site | TV | Result | Attendance | Ref.

|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|

August 31  | 6:00 p.m.  | Eastern Illinois | Indiana State | Memorial Stadium • Terre Haute, IN | ESPN+ | L 0–27 | 4,355 | [1]
August 31  | 6:30 p.m.  | Valparaiso | No. RV Youngstown State | Stambaugh Stadium • Youngstown, OH | ESPN+ | W 52–10 | 8,593 | [2]
August 31  | 7:00 p.m.  | Western Oregon | No. 1 South Dakota State | Dana J. Dykhouse Stadium • Brookings, SD | ESPN+ | W 45–7 | 16,258 | [3]
August 31  | 7:00 p.m.  | South Dakota | Missouri | Faurot Field at Memorial Stadium • Columbia, MO | SECN | L 10–35 | 50,434 | [4]
September 1  | 7:00 p.m.  | Missouri State | Kansas | David Booth Kansas Memorial Stadium • Lawrence, KS | Big 12 NOW, ESPN+ | L 17–48 | 41,091 | [5]
September 2  | 12:00 p.m.  | Dayton | Illinois State | Hancock Stadium • Normal, IL | ESPN+ | W 41–0 | 6,740 | [6]
September 2  | 1:00 p.m.  | No. 23 Northern Iowa | Iowa State | Jack Trice Stadium • Ames, IA | Big 12 NOW, ESPN+ | L 9–30 | 58,248 | [7]
September 2  | 2:30 p.m.  | Eastern Washington | No. 2 North Dakota State | US Bank Stadium • Minneapolis, MN | ESPN+ | W 35–10 | 22,546 | [8]
September 2  | 3:00 p.m.  | Drake | No. 17 North Dakota | Alerus Center • Grand Forks, ND | ESPN+ | W 55–7 | 8,503 | [9]
September 2  | 6:00 p.m.  | No. RV Austin Peay | No. RV Southern Illinois | Saluki Stadium • Carbondale, IL | ESPN+ | W 49–23 | 8,327 | [10]
September 2  | 6:00 p.m.  | Presbyterian | Murray State | Roy Stewart Stadium • Murray, KY | ESPN+ | W 41–10 | 6,953 | [11]
September 2  | 8:00 p.m.  | Western Illinois | New Mexico State | Aggie Memorial Stadium • Las Cruces, NM | ESPN+ | L 21–58 | 17,943 | [12]
#Rankings from Stats Perform. All times are in Central Time.

#### Week 2

[edit]

Date | Time | Visiting team | Home team | Site | TV | Result | Attendance | Ref.

|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|

September 7  | 6:30 p.m.  | Murray State | No. RV^ Louisville | L&N Federal Credit Union Stadium • Louisville, KY | ACCN | L 0–56 | 45,273 | [13]
September 8  | 6:00 p.m.  | Indiana State | Indiana | Memorial Stadium • Bloomington, IN | BTN | L 7–41 | 42,775 | [14]
September 9  | 12:00 p.m.  | No. 25 Youngstown State | No. 5^ Ohio State | Ohio Stadium • Columbus, OH | BTN | L 7–35 | 102,897 | [15]
September 9  | 1:00 p.m.  | No. RV St. Thomas | South Dakota | DakotaDome • Vermillion, SD | ESPN+ | W 24–0 | 6,126 | [16]
September 9  | 2:30 p.m.  | Maine | No. 2 North Dakota State | Fargodome • Fargo, ND | ESPN+ | W 44–7 | 15,044 | [17]
September 9  | 2:30 p.m.  | No. 24 Southern Illinois | Northern Illinois | Huskie Stadium • DeKalb, IL | ESPN+ | W 14–11 | 13,114 | [18]
September 9  | 3:00 p.m.  | Illinois State | Western Illinois | Hanson Field • Macomb, IL | ESPN+ |  ILST 34–18 | 3,648 | [19]
September 9  | 3:00 p.m.  | Northern Arizona | No. 17 North Dakota | Alerus Center • Grand Forks, ND | ESPN+ | W 37–22 | 10,009 | [20]
September 9  | 4:00 p.m.  | No. 12 Weber State | No. 21 Northern Iowa | UNI-Dome • Cedar Falls, IA | ESPN+ | L 17–34 | 7,967 | [21]
September 9  | 6:00 p.m.  | Missouri State | No. RV UT Martin | Graham Stadium • Martin, TN | ESPN+ | L 31–38 | 6,104 | [22]
September 9  | 6:00 p.m.  | No. 3 Montana State | No. 1 South Dakota State | Dana J. Dykhouse Stadium • Brookings, SD | ESPN+ | W 20–16 | 19,332 | [23]
#Rankings from Stats Perform. All times are in Central Time.

#### Week 3

[edit]

Date | Time | Visiting team | Home team | Site | TV | Result | Attendance | Ref.

|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|

September 16  | 11:00 a.m.  | No. 14 North Dakota | Boise State | Albertsons Stadium • Boise, ID | FS1 | L 18–42 | 35,610 | [24]
September 16  | 1:00 p.m.  | Lamar | South Dakota | DakotaDome • Vermillion, SD | ESPN+ | W 35–6 | 5,618 | [25]
September 16  | 1:00 p.m.  | Robert Morris | No. 25 Youngstown State | Stambaugh Stadium • Youngstown, OH | ESPN+ | W 48–28 | 12,826 | [26]
September 16  | 2:00 p.m.  | No. RV Illinois State | Eastern Illinois | O'Brien Field • Charleston, IL | ESPN+ | L 13–14 | 6,602 | [27]
September 16  | 2:00 p.m.  | Indiana State | Ball State | Scheumann Stadium • Muncie, IN | ESPN+ | L 7–45 | 15,054 | [28]
September 16  | 2:30 p.m.  | No. RV Central Arkansas | No. 2 North Dakota State | Fargodome • Fargo, ND | ESPN+ | W 49–31 | 15,016 | [29]
September 16  | 2:30 p.m.  | Drake | No. 1 South Dakota State | Target Field • Minneapolis, MN | ESPN+ | W 70–7 | 18,174 | [30]
September 16  | 5:00 p.m.  | No. RV Northern Iowa | Idaho State | Holt Arena • Pocatello, ID | ESPN+ | W 41–17 | N/A | [31]
September 16  | 6:00 p.m.  | Lindenwood | Western Illinois | Hanson Field • Macomb, IL | ESPN+ | L 40–43 | 3,548 | [32]
September 16  | 6:00 p.m.  | No. 15 Southern Illinois | No. 13 Southeast Missouri State | Houck Stadium • Cape Girardeau, MO | ESPN+ | W 26–25 | 8,613 | [33]
September 16  | 6:00 p.m.  | Murray State | Middle Tennessee State | Johnny "Red" Floyd Stadium • Murfreesboro, TN | ESPN+ | L 14–35 | 16,605 | [34]
#Rankings from Stats Perform. All times are in Central Time.
Date | Bye Week

|

September 16 | Missouri State

#### Week 4

[edit]

Date | Time | Visiting team | Home team | Site | TV | Result | Attendance | Ref.

|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|

September 23  | 12:00 p.m.  | Lindenwood | Illinois State | Hancock Stadium • Normal, IL | ESPN+ | W 48–17 | 13,391 | [35]
September 23  | 2:00 p.m.  | Utah Tech | Missouri State | Robert W. Plaster Stadium • Springfield, MO | ESPN+ | W 59–14 | 11,002 | [36]
September 23  | 7:00 p.m.  | Western Illinois | Southern Utah | Eccles Coliseum • Cedar City, UT | ESPN+ | L 17–37 | 6,504 | [37]
#Rankings from Stats Perform. All times are in Central Time.
Date | Bye Week

|

September 23 | No. 24 Youngstown State | No. RV Northern Iowa | No. 2 North Dakota State | No. 1 South Dakota State | South Dakota | No. 14 North Dakota | Indiana State | No. 12 Southern Illinois | Murray State

#### Week 5

[edit]

Date | Time | Visiting team | Home team | Site | TV | Result | Attendance | Ref.

|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|

September 30  | 1:00 p.m.  | South Dakota | No. 2 North Dakota State†  | Fargodome • Fargo, ND | ESPN+ |  USD 24–19 | 18,342 | [38]
September 30  | 1:00 p.m.  | No. 23 Youngstown State | No. RV Northern Iowa | UNI-Dome • Cedar Falls, IA | ESPN+ |  UNI 44–41 | 10,346 | [39]
September 30  | 2:00 p.m.  | No. 12 North Dakota | No. 1 South Dakota State | Dana J. Dykhouse Stadium • Brookings, SD | ESPN+ |  SDSU 42–21 | 19,231 | [40]
September 30  | 4:00 p.m.  | Missouri State | No. 10 Southern Illinois | Saluki Stadium • Carbondale, IL | ESPN+ |  SIU 33–20 | 10,359 | [41]
September 30  | 6:00 p.m.  | Indiana State | Murray State | Roy Stewart Stadium • Murray, KY | ESPN+ |  MUST 30–28 | 13,213 | [42]
#Rankings from Stats Perform. All times are in Central Time.
Date | Bye Week

|

September 30 | Western Illinois | Illinois State

#### Week 6

[edit]

Date | Time | Visiting team | Home team | Site | TV | Result | Attendance | Ref.

|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|

October 7  | 1:00 p.m.  | Western Illinois | No. 16 North Dakota†  | Alerus Center • Grand Forks, ND | ESPN+ |  UND 49–10 | 9,758 | [43]
October 7  | 2:00 p.m.  | Murray State | No. 15 South Dakota | DakotaDome • Vermillion, SD | ESPN+ |  USD 38–7 | 7,907 | [44]
October 7  | 2:00 p.m.  | No. 7 North Dakota State | Missouri State | Robert W. Plaster Stadium • Springfield, MO | ESPN+ |  NDSU 38–10 | 8,727 | [45]
October 7  | 5:00 p.m.  | No. 6 Southern Illinois | No. RV Youngstown State | Stambaugh Stadium • Youngstown, OH | ESPN+ |  YSU 31–3 | 9,767 | [46]
October 7  | 6:00 p.m.  | No. 1 South Dakota State | Illinois State | Hancock Stadium • Normal, IL | ESPN+ |  SDSU 40–21 | 8,272 | [47]
October 7  | 7:00 p.m.  | No. RV Northern Iowa | Indiana State | Memorial Stadium • Terre Haute, IN | ESPN+ |  UNI 27–20 | 3,228 | [48]
#Rankings from Stats Perform. All times are in Central Time.

#### Week 7

[edit]

Date | Time | Visiting team | Home team | Site | TV | Result | Attendance | Ref.

|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|

October 14  | 1:00 p.m.  | No. 6 North Dakota State | No. 15 North Dakota | Alerus Center • Grand Forks, ND | ESPN+ |  UND 49–24 | 13,091 | [49]
October 14  | 1:00 p.m.  | No. 23 Youngstown State | No. 10 South Dakota | DakotaDome • Vermillion, SD | ESPN+ |  USD 34–31 | 3,608 | [50]
October 14  | 2:00 p.m.  | No. RV Northern Iowa | No. 1 South Dakota State | Dana J. Dykhouse Stadium • Brookings, SD | ESPN+ |  SDSU 41–6 | 19,357 | [51]
October 14  | 2:00 p.m.  | No. 13 Southern Illinois | Murray State†  | Roy Stewart Stadium • Murray, KY | ESPN+ |  SIU 27–6 | 15,868 | [52]
October 14  | 3:00 p.m.  | Missouri State | Western Illinois | Hanson Field • Macomb, IL | ESPN+ |  MOST 48–7 | 2,809 | [53]
October 14  | 3:00 p.m.  | Indiana State | Illinois State | Hancock Stadium • Normal, IL | ESPN+ |  ILST 44–7 | N/A | [54]
#Rankings from Stats Perform. All times are in Central Time.

#### Week 8

[edit]

Date | Time | Visiting team | Home team | Site | TV | Result | Attendance | Ref.

|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|

October 21  | 1:00 p.m.  | No. 6 South Dakota | Indiana State†  | Memorial Stadium • Terre Haute, IN | ESPN+ |  USD 17–3 | 4,908 | [55]
October 21  | 2:00 p.m.  | No. 1 South Dakota State | No. 12 Southern Illinois†  | Saluki Stadium • Carbondale, IL | ESPN+ |  SDSU 17–10 | 11,927 | [56]
October 21  | 2:00 p.m.  | No. RV Illinois State | No. 25 Youngstown State | Stambaugh Stadium • Youngstown, OH | ESPN+ |  YSU 41–38 | 10,022 | [57]
October 21  | 2:00 p.m.  | Murray State | Missouri State | Robert W. Plaster Stadium • Springfield, IL | ESPN+ |  MOST 28–24 | 11,386 | [58]
October 21  | 2:30 p.m.  | Western Illinois | No. 14 North Dakota State | Fargodome • Fargo, ND | ESPN+ |  NDSU 52–7 | 14,255 | [59]
October 21  | 4:00 p.m.  | No. 11 North Dakota | No. RV Northern Iowa†  | UNI-Dome • Cedar Falls, IA | ESPN3 |  UNI 27–0 | 10,677 | [60]
#Rankings from Stats Perform. All times are in Central Time.

#### Week 9

[edit]

Date | Time | Visiting team | Home team | Site | TV | Result | Attendance | Ref.

|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|

October 28  | 12:00 p.m.  | No. 23 Northern Iowa | Illinois State | Hancock Stadium • Normal, IL | ESPN+ |  UNI 24–21 | N/A | [61]
October 28  | 1:00 p.m.  | No. 11 Southern Illinois | Western Illinois | Hanson Field • Macomb, IL | ESPN+ |  SIU 63–0 | 2,636 | [62]
October 28  | 1:00 p.m.  | Missouri State | No. 24 Youngstown State | Stambaugh Stadium • Youngstown, OH | ESPN+ |  YSU 44–28 | 9,880 | [63]
October 28  | 1:00 p.m.  | Indiana State | No. 15 North Dakota | Alerus Center • Grand Forks, ND | ESPN+ |  UND 36–33 OT | 11,125 | [64]
October 28  | 1:00 p.m.  | No. 1 South Dakota State | No. 4 South Dakota | DakotaDome • Vermillion, SD | ESPN+ |  SDSU 37–3 | 9,458 | [65]
October 28  | 2:30 p.m.  | Murray State | No. 12 North Dakota State | Fargodome • Fargo, ND | ESPN+ |  NDSU 38–6 | 13,876 | [66]
#Rankings from Stats Perform. All times are in Central Time.

#### Week 10

[edit]

Date | Time | Visiting team | Home team | Site | TV | Result | Attendance | Ref.

|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|

November 4  | 12:00 p.m.  | No. 22 Youngstown State | Indiana State | Memorial Stadium • Terre Haute, IN | ESPN+ |  YSU 19–7 | 4,798 | [67]
November 4  | 1:00 p.m.  | Western Illinois | No. 18 Northern Iowa | UNI-Dome • Cedar Falls, IA | ESPN+ |  UNI 50–6 | 8,051 | [68]
November 4  | 1:00 p.m.  | No. 9 South Dakota | No. 10 Southern Illinois | Saluki Stadium • Carbondale, IL | ESPN+ |  USD 14–7 | 7,106 | [69]
November 4  | 1:00 p.m.  | No. 13 North Dakota | Murray State | Roy Stewart Stadium • Murray, KY | ESPN+ |  UND 45–31 | 6,217 | [70]
November 4  | 2:00 p.m.  | No. 11 North Dakota State | No. 1 South Dakota State | Dana J. Dykhouse Stadium • Brookings, SD | ESPN+ |  SDSU 33–16 | 19,431 | [71]
November 4  | 2:00 p.m.  | Illinois State | Missouri State | Robert W. Plaster Stadium • Springfield, MO | ESPN+ |  ILST 36–35 | 7,700 | [72]
#Rankings from Stats Perform. All times are in Central Time.

#### Week 11

[edit]

Date | Time | Visiting team | Home team | Site | TV | Result | Attendance | Ref.

|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|

November 11  | 11:00 a.m.  | Murray State | Illinois State | Hancock Stadium • Normal, IL | ESPN+ |  ILST 44–7 | 5,623 | [73]
November 11  | 11:00 a.m.  | No. 1 South Dakota State | No. 22 Youngstown State | Stambaugh Stadium • Youngstown, OH | ESPN+ |  SDSU 34–0 | 9,303 | [74]
November 11  | 1:00 p.m.  | Western Illinois | Indiana State | Memorial Stadium • Terre Haute, IN | ESPN+ |  INST 27–6 | 3,151 | [75]
November 11  | 1:00 p.m.  | No. 10 North Dakota | No. 6 South Dakota | DakotaDome • Vermillion, SD | ESPN+ |  USD 14–10 | 6,834 | [76]
November 11  | 2:00 p.m.  | No. 15 Northern Iowa | Missouri State | Robert W. Plaster Stadium • Springfield, MO | ESPN+ |  MOST 35–16 | 6,898 | [77]
November 11  | 2:30 p.m.  | No. 11 Southern Illinois | No. 12 North Dakota State | Fargodome • Fargo, ND | ESPN+ |  NDSU 34–10 | 14,191 | [78]
#Rankings from Stats Perform. All times are in Central Time.

#### Week 12

[edit]

Date | Time | Visiting team | Home team | Site | TV | Result | Attendance | Ref.

|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|

November 18  | 1:00 p.m.  | No. 5 South Dakota | Western Illinois | Hanson Field • Macomb, IL | ESPN+ |  USD 48–6 | 1,935 | [79]
November 18  | 1:00 p.m.  | Illinois State | No. 13 North Dakota | Alerus Center • Grand Forks, ND | ESPN+ |  UND 22–21 | 9,238 | [80]
November 18  | 1:00 p.m.  | Indiana State | No. 16 Southern Illinois | Saluki Stadium • Carbondale, IL | ESPN+ |  SIU 38–9 | N/A | [81]
November 18  | 1:00 p.m.  | No. 25 Youngstown State | Murray State | Roy Stewart Stadium • Murray, KY | ESPN+ |  YSU 34–17 | 5,957 | [82]
November 18  | 2:00 p.m.  | Missouri State | No. 1 South Dakota State | Dana J. Dykhouse Stadium • Brookings, SD | ESPN+ |  SDSU 35–17 | 15,637 | [83]
November 18  | 4:00 p.m.  | No. 9 North Dakota State | No. 22 Northern Iowa | UNI-Dome • Cedar Falls, IA | ESPN+ |  NDSU 48–27 | 9,852 | [84]
#Rankings from Stats Perform. All times are in Central Time.

### FCS Playoffs

[edit]

See also: 2023 NCAA Division I FCS football season § NCAA Division I playoff bracket

In 2023, six teams made the FCS Playoffs. South Dakota State (No. 1) and South Dakota (No. 3) both received byes; while North Dakota, North Dakota State, Southern Illinois, and Youngstown State were unseeded and played in the opening round. Below are the games in which they played.[17]

All times Central time. Tournament seedings in parentheses.

#### First round

[edit]

Date | Time | Visiting team | Home team | Site | TV | Result | Attendance | Ref.

|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|

November 25  | 12:00 p.m.  | No. 15 Sacramento State (Big Sky)  | No. 12 North Dakota | Alerus Center • Grand Forks, ND | ESPN+ | L 35–42 | 6,522 | [85]
November 25  | 2:00 p.m.  | No. RV Nicholls (Southland)  | No. 14 Southern Illinois | Saluki Stadium • Carbondale, IL | ESPN+ | W 35–0 | 4,576 | [86]
November 25  | 2:30 p.m.  | No. RV Drake (PFL)  | No. 8 North Dakota State | Fargodome • Fargo, ND | ESPN+ | W 66–3 | 7,798 | [87]
November 25  | 4:00 p.m.  | No. RV Duquesne (Northeast)  | No. 21 Youngstown State | Stambaugh Stadium • Youngstown, OH | ESPN+ | W 40–7 | 3,866 | [88]
#Rankings from Stats Perform. All times are in Central Time.

#### Second round

[edit]

Date | Time | Visiting team | Home team | Site | TV | Result | Attendance | Ref.

|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|

December 2  | 11:00 a.m.  | No. 21 Youngstown State | No. 6 (8) Villanova (CAA)  | Villanova Stadium • Villanova, PA | ESPN+ | L 28–45 | 2,105 | [89]
December 2  | 1:00 p.m.  | No. 15 Sacramento State (Big Sky)  | No. 3 (3) South Dakota | DakotaDome • Vermillion, SD | ESPN+ | W 34–24 | 6,288 | [90]
December 2  | 1:00 p.m.  | No. 17 Mercer (SoCon)  | No. 1 (1) South Dakota State | Dana J. Dykhouse Stadium • Brookings, SD | ESPN+ | W 41–0 | 10,171 | [91]
December 2  | 2:00 p.m.  | No. 8 North Dakota State | No. 5 (6) Montana State (Big Sky)  | Bobcat Stadium • Bozeman, MT | ESPN+ | W 35–34 OT | 17,247 | [92]
December 2  | 9:00 p.m.  | No. 14 Southern Illinois | No. 4 (4) Idaho (Big Sky)  | Kibbie Dome • Moscow, ID | ESPN+ | L 17–20 | 9,224 | [93]
#Rankings from Stats Perform. All times are in Central Time.

#### Quarterfinals

[edit]

Date | Time | Visiting team | Home team | Site | TV | Result | Attendance | Ref.

|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|

December 9  | 11:00 a.m.  | No. 6 (8) Villanova (CAA)  | No. 1 (1) South Dakota State | Dana J. Dykhouse Stadium • Brookings, SD | ESPN | W 23–12 | 10,216 | [94]
December 9  | 1:30 p.m.  | No. 8 North Dakota State | No. 3 (3) South Dakota | DakotaDome • Vermillion, SD | ABC |  NDSU 45–17 | 9,141 | [95]
#Rankings from Stats Perform. All times are in Central Time.

#### Semifinals

[edit]

Date | Time | Visiting team | Home team | Site | TV | Result | Attendance | Ref.

|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|

December 15  | 6:00 p.m.  | No. 9 (5) Albany (CAA)  | No. 1 South Dakota State | Dana J. Dykhouse Stadium • Brookings, SD | ESPN2 | W 59–0 | 12,265 | [96]
December 16  | 3:30 p.m.  | No. 8 North Dakota State | No. 2 (2) Montana (Big Sky)  | Washington-Grizzly Stadium • Missoula, MT | ESPN2 | L 29–31 2OT | 26,544 | [97]
#Rankings from Stats Perform. All times are in Central Time.

#### National Championship

[edit]

See also: 2024 NCAA Division I Football Championship Game

Date | Time | Visiting team | Home team | Site | TV | Result | Attendance | Ref.

|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|

January 7  | 1:00 p.m.  | No. 2 (2) Montana (Big Sky)  | No. 1 (1) South Dakota State | Toyota Stadium • Frisco, TX | ABC | W 23–3 | 19,512 | [98]
#Rankings from Stats Perform. All times are in Central Time.

## MVFC records vs other conferences

[edit]

2023-24 records against non-conference foes:

| FCS Power Conferences  | Record

|

Big Sky | 4–1
CAA | 1–0
FCS Power Total  | 5–1
Other FCS Conferences  | Record
Big South | 1–0
Ivy League | None
MEAC | None
Northeast | None
OVC | 2–4
Patriot | None
PFL | 6–0
SoCon | None
Southland | 1–0
SWAC | None
UAC (ASUN–WAC) | 3–1
Other FCS Total  | 13–5
Other Division I Opponents  | Record
Football Bowl Subdivision | 1–10
Total Division I  | 19–16
Other NCAA Opponents  | Record
Division II | 1–0
Total Non-Conference Record  | 20–16

Post Season

| FCS Power Conferences  | Record

|

Big Sky | 3–3
CAA | 2–1
FCS Power Total  | 5–4
Other FCS Conferences  | Record
Big South | None
Ivy League | None
MEAC | None
Northeast | 1–0
OVC | None
Patriot | None
PFL | 1–0
SoCon | 1–0
Southland | 1–0
SWAC | None
UAC (ASUN–WAC) | None
Other FCS Total  | 4–0
Total Postseason Record  | 9–4

## Awards and honors

[edit]

### Player of the week honors

[edit]

Week  | Offensive  | Defensive  | Special Teams  | Freshman

|
|
|
|

Player  | Position  | Team  | Player  | Position  | Team  | Player  | Position  | Team  | Player  | Position  | Team
Week 1 (Sept. 4) [18] | Nic Baker  | QB  | SIU | Cole Wisniewski  | S  | NDSU | Kaedin Steindorf  | P  | NDSU  | Tyshon King  | RB  | YSU
Week 2 (Sept. 11) [19] | Mason Blakemore  | RB  | ILST | Nick Gaes  | DT  | USD | Griffin Crosa  | K  | NDSU | Griffin Wilde  | WR  | SDSU
PJ Jules  | S  | SIU
Week 3 (Sept. 18) [20] | Nic Baker  | QB  | SIU | PJ Jules  | S  | SIU  | Tucker Large  | PR/S  | SDSU | Tyshon King  | RB  | YSU
Week 4 (Sept. 25) [21] | Jacob Clark  | QB  | MOST | Caleb Blake  | CB  | MOST  | Ian Wagner  | K/P  | ILST | Jayden Becks  | RB  | MOST
Week 5 (Oct. 2) [22] | Theo Day | QB  | UNI | Dennis Shorter  | SS  | USD  | Orion Phillips  | P  | MUST | Plez Lawrence  | RB  | INST
Carter Bell  | WR  | USD
Week 6 (Oct. 9) [23] | Isaiah Davis | RB  | SDSU | Logan Kopp  | LB  | NDSU | Jake Andjelic  | PK  | INST | Tyshon King  | RB  | YSU
Week 7 (Oct. 16) [24] | Gaven Ziebarth  | RB  | UND | Isaiah Stalbird | LB  | SDSU | Will Leyland  | PK  | USD | Owen Rozanc  | PK  | MOST
Luke Skokna  | RB/RS  | UND
Week 8 (Oct. 23) [25] | Amauri Pesek-Hickson  | RB  | UNI | Devin Goree  | DL  | MOST | Andrew Lastovka  | PK  | YSU | Charles Pierre Jr.  | RB  | USD
Week 9 (Oct. 30) [26] | Mitch Davidson  | QB  | YSU | Logan Kopp  | LB  | NDSU | Hunter Dustman  | PK/P  | SDSU | C.J. Elrichs  | PK  | UND
Week 10 (Nov. 6) [27] | Tommy Schuster  | QB  | UND | Brendan Webb  | LB  | USD | Hunter Dustman  | K/P  | SDSU | Mason Blakemore  | QB  | ILST
Week 11 (Nov. 13) [28] | Raylen Sharpe  | WR  | MOST | Garret Ollendieck  | LB  | INST | Red Wilson  | WR/RS  | UND | Amir Abdullah  | LB  | ILST
Week 12 (Nov. 20) [29] | Jadon Janke  | WR  | SDSU | Cole Wisniewski  | S  | NDSU | Will Leyland  | PK  | USD | Tim Varga  | DE  | SIU
Mark Gronowski | QB  | SDSU

### Players of the Year

[edit]

On November 27, 2023, the Missouri Valley Football Conference released their Players of the Year and All-Conference Honors.[30]

#### Offensive Player of the Year

[edit]

Two players were named as Offensive Player of the Year.

* Mark Gronowski, QB (Jr - South Dakota State)
* Isaiah Davis, RB (Sr - South Dakota State)

#### Defensive Player of the Year

[edit]

* Brock Mogensen, LB (Sr - South Dakota)

#### Newcomer of the Year

[edit]

* Mason Blakemore, RB (Jr - Illinois State)

#### Freshman of the Year

[edit]

* Tye Niekamp, LB (RS-Fr - Illinois State)

#### Coach of the Year

[edit]

* Bob Nielson (South Dakota)

### All-Conference Teams

[edit]

| Award  | Player  | School  | Position  | Year

|
|
|
|

First Team Offense  | Mark Gronowski | South Dakota State  | QB  | Jr
Isaiah Davis | South Dakota State  | RB  | Sr
Mason Blakemore  | Illinois State  | RB  | Jr
Hunter Brozio  | North Dakota State  | FB  | Sr
Cam Grandy  | Illinois State  | TE  | Sr
Jadon Janke  | South Dakota State  | WR  | Sr
Sam Schnee  | Northern Iowa  | WR  | RS-Sr
Raylen Sharpe  | Missouri State  | WR  | Jr
Garret Greenfield | South Dakota State  | OL  | Sr
Jake Kubas | North Dakota State  | OL  | Sr
Mason McCormick | South Dakota State  | OL  | Sr
Jared Penning  | Northern Iowa  | OL  | RS-Jr
Jalen Sundell | North Dakota State  | OL  | Sr
First Team Defense  | Khristian Boyd | Northern Iowa  | DL  | RS-Sr
Dylan Hendricks  | North Dakota State  | DL  | Sr
Cade Terveer  | South Dakota State  | DL  | Sr
Brendan Webb  | South Dakota  | DL  | Sr
Amir Abdullah  | Illinois State  | LB  | Jr
Jason Freeman  | South Dakota State  | LB  | Sr
Logan Kopp  | North Dakota State  | LB  | So
Brock Mogensen | South Dakota  | LB  | Sr
Woo Governor  | Northern Iowa  | DB  | Sr
PJ Jules  | Southern Illinois  | DB  | Sr
Tucker Large  | South Dakota State  | DB  | So
Cole Wisniewski  | North Dakota State  | DB  | Sr
First Team Special Teams  | Matthew Cook  | Northern Iowa  | PK  | Sr
Grant Burkett  | Missouri State  | P  | Jr
Hunter Brozio  | North Dakota State  | LS  | Sr
Luke Skokna  | North Dakota  | RS  | Sr
Amar Johnson  | South Dakota State  | AP  | Jr

| Award  | Player  | School  | Position  | Year

|
|
|
|

Second Team Offense  | Cam Miller | North Dakota State  | QB  | Sr
Tyshon King  | Youngstown State  | RB  | Sr
Jacardia Wright  | Missouri State  | RB  | Jr
Mike Morgan  | South Dakota State  | FB  | Sr
Travis Theis  | South Dakota  | FB  | Jr
Zach Heins  | South Dakota State  | TE  | Sr
Bo Belquist  | North Dakota  | WR  | Sr
Bryce Oliver  | Youngstown State  | WR  | Sr
Daniel Sobkowicz  | Illinois State  | WR  | So
Joey Lombard  | South Dakota  | OL  | Jr
Gus Miller  | South Dakota State  | OL  | Jr
Donny Ventrelli  | North Dakota  | OL  | 5th
Jaison Williams  | Youngstown State  | OL  | Jr
Hunter Zambrano  | Illinois State  | OL  | Jr
Second Team Defense  | Josh Dinga  | Illinois State  | DL  | RS-Sr
Eli Mostaert  | North Dakota State  | DL  | Sr
Ryan Van Marel  | South Dakota State  | DL  | Sr
Dylan Wudke  | Youngstown State  | DL  | Sr
Branson Combs  | Southern Illinois  | LB  | Jr
Garret Ollendieck  | Indiana State  | LB  | Jr
Wyatt Pedigo  | North Dakota  | LB  | Jr
Isaiah Stalbird | South Dakota State  | LB  | Sr
Maddix Blackwell  | Indiana State  | DB  | RS-So
Dyshawn Gales  | South Dakota State  | DB  | Sr
Troy Jakubec  | Youngstown State  | DB  | Jr
Todric McGee  | Missouri State  | DB  | So
C.J. Siegel  | North Dakota  | DB  | 5th
Second Team Special Teams  | Will Leyland  | South Dakota  | PK  | So
Hunter Dustman  | South Dakota State  | P  | Sr
Kaydon Olivia  | South Dakota State  | LS  | So
Tucker Large  | South Dakota State  | RS  | So
Carter Bell  | South Dakota  | AP  | Jr

### National Awards

[edit]

On November 21, 2023, STATS Perform released their list of finalists for the Walter Payton Award, Buck Buchanan Award, Jerry Rice Award, and the Eddie Robinson Award, respectively. Finalists are listed by order they appeared in the STATS Perform article.

#### Walter Payton Award

[edit]

The Walter Payton Award is given to the best FCS offensive player. The MVFC's own Mark Gronowski won the award (QB - South Dakota State).[31] Here were the other MVFC finalists:[32]

* Cam Miller (QB - North Dakota State)
* Isaiah Davis (RB - South Dakota State)

#### Buck Buchanan Award

[edit]

The Buck Buchanan Award is given to the best FCS defensive player. Here were the MVFC finalists:[33]

* Amir Abdullah (LB - Illinois State)
* Logan Kopp (LB - North Dakota State)
* Brock Mogensen (LB - South Dakota)
* PJ Jules (DB - Southern Illinois)

#### Jerry Rice Award

[edit]

The Jerry Rice Award is given to the best FCS freshman player. Here were the MVFC finalists:[34]

* Tye Niekamp (LB - Illinois State)

#### Eddie Robinson Award

[edit]

The Eddie Robinson Award is given to the best FCS head coach. The MVFC's own Jimmy Rogers won the award, and it was announced on December 7, 2023.[35] Here were the MVFC finalists:[36]

* Bob Nielson (South Dakota)
* Jimmy Rogers (South Dakota State)

### All-Americans

[edit]

| AP[37]
1st Team  | AP
2nd Team  | AP
3rd Team  | AFCA[38]
1st Team
| AFCA
2nd Team  | STATS[39]
1st Team
| STATS
2nd Team  | STATS
3rd Team  | ADA
[40]

|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|

Amir Abdullah, LB, Illinois State  |  |  | Y |  |  |  |  | Y |
Brendan Webb, DL, South Dakota  |  |  | Y |  | Y |  |  |  |
Brock Mogensen, LB, South Dakota  | Y |  |  | Y |  | Y |  |  |
Cam Grandy, TE, Illinois State  | Y |  |  | Y |  | Y |  |  | Y
Cam Miller, QB, North Dakota State  |  |  |  |  |  |  | Y |  |
Cole Rusk, TE, Murray State  |  |  | Y |  |  |  |  |  |
Cole Wisniewski, DB, North Dakota State  | Y |  |  | Y |  | Y |  |  | Y
Garret Greenfield, OL, South Dakota State  | Y |  |  | Y |  | Y |  |  | Y
Grant Burkett, P, Missouri State  |  | Y |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Hunter Brozio, LS, North Dakota State  |  |  |  | Y |  |  | Y |  |
Isaiah Davis, RB, South Dakota State  | Y |  |  | Y |  | Y |  |  |
Jake Kubas, OL, North Dakota State  |  |  | Y |  |  | Y |  |  |
Jalen Sundell, OL, North Dakota State  |  |  |  | Y |  |  |  | Y |
Jared Penning, OL, Northern Iowa  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | Y |
Khristian Boyd, DL, Northern Iowa  |  |  | Y |  |  |  |  | Y |
Mark Gronowski, QB, South Dakota State  | Y |  |  | Y |  | Y |  |  | Y
Mason McCormick, OL, South Dakota State  | Y |  |  |  | Y | Y |  |  |
Matthew Cook, PK, Northern Iowa  | Y |  |  |  | Y |  | Y |  | Y
Myles Harden, DB, South Dakota  |  |  | Y | Y |  | Y |  |  |
PJ Jules, DB, Southern Illinois  | Y |  |  | Y |  | Y |  |  |
Raylen Sharpe, WR, Missouri State  |  |  | Y |  |  |  |  | Y |
Sam Schnee, WR, Northern Iowa  |  |  |  |  | Y |  |  |  |

## Home attendance

[edit]

Team  | Stadium  | Capacity  | Game 1  | Game 2  | Game 3  | Game 4  | Game 5  | Game 6  | Game 7  | Game 8  | Game 9  | Total  | Average  | % of Capacity

|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|

Illinois State  | Hancock Stadium | 13,391  | 6,740  | 13,391†  | 8,272  | N/A  | N/A  | 5,623  |  |  |  | 34,026  | 8,506  | 63.5%
Indiana State  | Memorial Stadium | 12,764  | 4,355  | 3,228  | 4,908†  | 4,798  | 3,151  |  |  |  |  | 20,440  | 4,088  | 32.0%
Missouri State  | Robert W. Plaster Stadium | 17,500  | 11,002  | 8,727  | 11,386†  | 7,700  | 6,898  |  |  |  |  | 45,713  | 9,142  | 52.2%
Murray State  | Roy Stewart Stadium | 16,800  | 6,953  | 13,213  | 15,868†  | 6,217  | 5,957  |  |  |  |  | 48,208  | 9,641  | 57.4%
North Dakota  | Alerus Center | 12,283  | 8,503  | 10,009  | 9,758  | 13,091†  | 11,125  | 9,238  | 6,522‡  |  |  | 68,246  | 9,749  | 79.4%
North Dakota State  | Fargodome | 18,700  | 15,044  | 15,016  | 18,342†  | 14,255  | 13,876  | 14,191  | 7,798‡  |  |  | 98,522  | 14,074  | 75.3%
Northern Iowa  | UNI-Dome | 16,324  | 7,967  | 10,346  | 10,677†  | 8,051  | 9,852  |  |  |  |  | 46,893  | 9,378  | 57.5%
South Dakota  | DakotaDome | 9,100  | 6,126  | 5,618  | 7,907  | 3,608  | 9,458†  | 6,834  | 6,288‡  | 9,141‡  |  | 54,980  | 6,872  | 75.5%
South Dakota State  | Dana J. Dykhouse Stadium | 19,340  | 16,258  | 19,332  | 19,231  | 19,357 | 19,431†  | 15,637  | 10,171‡  | 10,216‡  | 12,265‡  | 141,881  | 15,764  | 81.5%
Southern Illinois  | Saluki Stadium | 15,000  | 8,327  | 10,359  | 11,927†  | 7,106  | 4,812  | 4,576‡  |  |  |  | 47,107  | 7,851  | 52.3%
Western Illinois  | Hanson Field | 17,128  | 3,648†  | 3,548  | 2,809  | 2,636  | 1,935  |  |  |  |  | 14,576  | 2,915  | 17.0%
Youngstown State  | Stambaugh Stadium | 20,630  | 8,593  | 12,826†  | 9,767  | 10,022  | 9,880  | 9,303  | 3,866‡  |  |  | 64,257  | 9,179  | 44.5%

Bold \- Exceed or met capacity
†Season High
‡FCS Playoff Game

## 2024 NFL draft

[edit]

Main article: 2024 NFL draft

The following list includes all MVFC players who were drafted in the 2024 NFL draft.

Player  | Position  | School  | Draft
Round  | Round
Pick  | Overall
Pick  | Team  | Notes

|
|
|
|
|
|
|

Mason McCormick |

| South Dakota State | 4  | 19  | 119  |

Pittsburgh Steelers

Isaiah Davis |

| South Dakota State | 5  | 38  | 173  |

New York Jets

| from Kansas City via San Francisco
Khristian Boyd |

Northern Iowa

| 6  | 23  | 199  |

New Orleans Saints

| from Philadelphia
Myles Harden |

South Dakota

| 7  | 7  | 227  |

Cleveland Browns

| from Tennessee

### Undrafted Free Agents

[edit]

Player  | Position  | School  | Team

|
|
|

Zack Annexstad | QB  |

Illinois State

| Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Terique Owens  | WR  |

Missouri State

| San Francisco 49ers
TaMerik Williams  | RB  |

North Dakota State

| Seattle Seahawks
Jalen Sundell | OL  |

North Dakota State

| Cleveland Browns
Jake Kubas | OL  |

North Dakota State

| New York Giants
Jayden Price  | CB  |

North Dakota State

| Atlanta Falcons
Demarcus Governor  | CB  |

Northern Iowa

| Las Vegas Raiders
Sam Schnee  | WR  |

Northern Iowa

| Tennessee Titans
P.J. Jules  | S  |

Southern Illinois

| Cincinnati Bengals
Brock Mogensen | LB  |

South Dakota

| Dallas Cowboys
Jadon Janke  | WR  | South Dakota State | Houston Texans
Jaxon Janke  | WR  | South Dakota State | Houston Texans
Zach Heins  | TE  | South Dakota State | Los Angeles Chargers
Garret Greenfield | OT  | South Dakota State | Seattle Seahawks
DyShawn Gales  | CB  | South Dakota State | Cleveland Browns
Isaiah Stalbird | LB  | South Dakota State | New Orleans Saints
Bryce Oliver  | WR  |

Youngstown State

| Tennessee Titans

Source:[41][42]

## Head coaches

[edit]

Through January 7, 2024
All stats include 2023 season

Team  | Head coach  | Years at school  | Overall record  | Record at school  | MVFC record  | MVFC titles  | FCS Playoff appearances  | FCS Playoff record  | National Titles

|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|

Illinois State  | Brock Spack | 15  | 101–70 (.591)  | 101–70 (.591)  | 64–52 (.552)  | 2  | 5  | 7–5 (.583)  | 0
Indiana State  | Curt Mallory | 6[a] | 20–47 (.299)  | 20–47 (.299)  | 13–35 (.271)  | 0  | 0  | 0–0 (–)  | 0
Missouri State  | Ryan Beard | 1  | 4–7 (.364)  | 4–7 (.364)  | 3–5 (.375)  | 0  | 0  | 0–0 (–)  | 0
Murray State  | Dean Hood[b] | 4  | 70–62 (.530)  | 15–24 (.385)  | 1–6 (.143)  | 0  | 3  | 0–3 (.000)  | 0
North Dakota  | Bubba Schweigert[c] | 10  | 83–71 (.539)  | 61–50 (.550)  | 17–12 (.586)  | 0  | 5  | 1–5 (.167)  | 0
North Dakota State  | Matt Entz | 5  | 60–11 (.845)  | 60–11 (.845)  | 32–7 (.821)  | 2  | 5  | 12–3 (.800)  | 2
Northern Iowa  | Mark Farley | 23  | 180–103 (.636)  | 180–103 (.636)  | 116–59 (.663)  | 7  | 13  | 16–13 (.552)  | 0
South Dakota  | Bob Nielson[d] | 8  | 228–125–1 (.645)  | 42–45 (.483)  | 29–31 (.483)  | 0  | 3  | 2–3 (.400)  | 2
South Dakota State  | Jimmy Rogers | 1  | 15–0 (1.000)  | 15–0 (1.000)  | 8–0 (1.000)  | 1  | 1  | 4–0 (1.000)  | 1
Southern Illinois  | Nick Hill | 8  | 44–48 (.478)  | 44–48 (.478)  | 26–36 (.419)  | 0  | 3  | 3–3 (.500)  | 0
Western Illinois  | Myers Hendrickson[e] | 2  | 0–22 (.000)  | 0–22 (.000)  | 0–16 (.000)  | 0  | 0  | 0–0 (–)  | 0
Youngstown State  | Doug Phillips | 4  | 18–22 (.450)  | 18–22 (.450)  | 12–18 (.400)  | 0  | 1  | 1–1 (.500)  | 0

1. ^ Indiana State did not play football in the 2020-21 academic year
2. ^ Dean Hood coached Eastern Kentucky from 2008-2015. During his time there, the Colonels went 55-38 overall and 44-19 in the Ohio Valley Conference. This also included three FCS playoff berths, all three of which ended in the first round. Hood has coached Murray State since 2020, and while in the Ohio Valley Conference the team finished with a 13-16 overall record and a 9-9 league record.
3. ^ Bubba Schweigert coached Minnesota Duluth of NCAA Division II from 2004-07. He also coached North Dakota while they were a part of the Big Sky Conference from 2014-17 and were independents in 2018 and 2019.
4. ^ Bob Nielson coached Western Illinois from 2013-15, which included a run in the playoffs that ended in the second round. Nielson also coached Minnesota-Duluth from 1999-2003 and 2008-12, that second stint included five consecutive NCAA Division II playoff appearances highlighted by 2 National Titles. In the first stint at MN-Duluth included his first Division II playoff appearance. Nielson also coached Wisconsin-Eau Claire from 1996-98 that included one NCAA Division III playoff run that ended in the semifinals. Before that, he coached Wartburg from 1991-95, which included two Division III playoff runs as well. His first head coaching job was at Ripon from 1989-90.
5. ^ Myers Hendrickson previously coached at Kansas Wesleyan of the NAIA from 2019-21, and helped the Coyotes to two NAIA playoff appearances.

## References

[edit]

1. ^ "Leatherneck Athletics Moving to Ohio Valley Conference for All Sports". goleathernecks.com. Western Illinois Leathernecks. May 12, 2023. Retrieved May 12, 2023.
2. ^ "South Dakota State Beats Montana to Win 2024 FCS Championship for 2nd Straight Title". bleacherreport.com. Bleacher Report. January 7, 2024. Retrieved January 4, 2024.
3. ^ "Bergen comes up big as Montana beats North Dakota State 31-29 in 2 OTs to make FCS Championship game". cbssports.com. CBS. December 17, 2023. Retrieved January 7, 2024.
4. ^ "North Dakota State rolls into FCS semifinals with 45-17 win over South Dakota". cbssports.com. CBS. December 9, 2023. Retrieved January 7, 2024.
5. ^ "Villanova tops Youngstown State 45-28 in FCS playoffs". apnews.com. Associated Press. December 2, 2023. Retrieved January 7, 2024.
6. ^ "Chavez kicks 29-yard FG in OT to help Idaho beat S. Illinois 20-17, advance to FCS quarters". apnews.com. Associated Press. December 3, 2023. Retrieved January 7, 2024.
7. ^ "Late score gives Sacramento State 42-35 win over North Dakota in FCS playoffs". apnews.com. Associated Press. November 25, 2023. Retrieved January 7, 2024.
8. ^ "South Dakota State wins 1st FCS title over North Dakota State". ESPN. ESPN. January 8, 2023. Retrieved March 29, 2023.
9. ^ "Weber State holds on to beat North Dakota in FCS playoffs". apnews.com. Associated Press. November 26, 2022. Retrieved March 29, 2023.
10. ^ "Missouri Valley Football Conference adds Murray State Racers". argusleader.com. Sioux Falls Argus Leader. April 4, 2022. Retrieved March 27, 2023.
11. ^ "Beard takes over Bears football program". missouristatebears.com. Missouri State Bears. December 19, 2022. Retrieved March 27, 2023.
12. ^ "Petrino Accepts Position at UNLV". missouristatebears.com. Missouri State Bears. December 15, 2022. Retrieved March 29, 2023.
13. ^ "Rogers introduced as head coach". gojacks.com. South Dakota State Jackrabbits. January 20, 2023. Retrieved March 27, 2023.
14. ^ "Stiegelmeier announces retirement". gojacks.com. South Dakota State Jackrabbits. January 19, 2023. Retrieved March 27, 2023.
15. ^ "2023 Missouri Valley Football Preseason Poll". valley-football.org. Missouri Valley Football Conference. August 1, 2023. Retrieved August 2, 2023.
16. ^ "2023 Preseason Poll and Team" (PDF). valley-football.org. Missouri Valley Football Conference. August 1, 2023. Retrieved August 2, 2023.
17. ^ "2023 FCS Football Official Bracket". ncaa.com. NCAA. Retrieved November 19, 2023.
18. ^ "Valley Football - Players of the Week (9.4.23)". valley-football.org. Missouri Valley Football Conference. September 4, 2023. Retrieved September 4, 2023.
19. ^ "Valley Football - Players of the Week (9-11-2023)". valley-football.org. Missouri Valley Football Conference. September 11, 2023. Retrieved September 11, 2023.
20. ^ "Valley Football - Players of the Week (Sept. 18)". valley-football.org. Missouri Valley Football Conference. September 18, 2023. Retrieved September 18, 2023.
21. ^ "Missouri Valley Football - Players of the Week (Sept. 25)". valley-football.org. Missouri Valley Football Conference. September 25, 2023. Retrieved September 25, 2023.
22. ^ "Missouri Valley Football - Players of the Week (Oct. 2)". valley-football.org. Missouri Valley Football Conference. October 2, 2023. Retrieved October 2, 2023.
23. ^ "Missouri Valley Football - Players of the Week (Oct. 9)". valley-football.org. Missouri Valley Football Conference. October 9, 2023. Retrieved October 9, 2023.
24. ^ "Missouri Valley Football - Players of the Week (O16)". valley-football.org. Missouri Valley Football Conference. October 16, 2023. Retrieved October 16, 2023.
25. ^ "Missouri Valley Football - Players of the Week (Oct. 23)". valley-football.org. Missouri Valley Football Conference. October 23, 2023. Retrieved October 23, 2023.
26. ^ "Missouri Valley Football - Players of the Week (O30)". valley-football.org. Missouri Valley Football Conference. October 29, 2023. Retrieved October 30, 2023.
27. ^ "Missouri Valley Football Players of the Week - Nov. 6". valley-football.org. Missouri Valley Football Conference. November 6, 2023. Retrieved November 6, 2023.
28. ^ "Missouri Valley Football - Players of the Week (Nov. 13)". valley-football.org. Missouri Valley Football Conference. November 13, 2023. Retrieved November 13, 2023.
29. ^ "Missouri Valley Football - Players of the Week". valley-football.org. Missouri Valley Football Conference. November 20, 2023. Retrieved November 20, 2023.
30. ^ "2023 Missouri Valley Football All-Conference Teams". valley-football.org. Missouri Valley Football Conference. November 27, 2023. Retrieved November 27, 2023.
31. ^ "SDSU's Mark Gronowski Wins 2023 Walter Payton Award". theanalyst.com. STATS Perform. January 6, 2024. Retrieved January 6, 2024.
32. ^ "Heisman of the FCS: 30 Named Finalists for 2023 Walter Payton Award". theanalyst.com. STATS Perform. November 21, 2023. Retrieved November 21, 2023.
33. ^ "30 FCS Defensive Standouts Named Finalists for 2023 Buck Buchanan Award". theanalyst.com. STATS Perform. November 21, 2023. Retrieved November 21, 2023.
34. ^ "22 FCS Freshman Standouts named 2023 Jerry Rice Award Finalists". theanalyst.com. STATS Perform. November 21, 2023. Retrieved November 21, 2023.
35. ^ "SDSU's Jimmy Rogers is 2023 Eddie Robinson award recipient". theanalyst.com. STATS Perform. December 7, 2023. Retrieved December 7, 2023.
36. ^ "20 FCS Coaches are named Finalists for the 2023 Eddie Robinson Award". theanalyst.com. STATS Perform. November 21, 2023. Retrieved November 21, 2023.
37. ^ "South Dakota State QB Mark Gronowski and Monmouth RB Jaden Shirden lead AP FCS All-American team". apnews.com. Associated Press. December 12, 2023. Retrieved December 21, 2023.
38. ^ "Monmouth's Jaden Shirden and North Dakota State's Cole Wisniewski Highlight the 2023 AFCA FCS Coaches' All-America Teams". afca.com. American Football Coaches Association. December 20, 2023. Retrieved December 21, 2023.
39. ^ "Widespread Talent Fills 2023 Stats Perform FCS All-America, Freshman Teams". theanalyst.com. STATS Perform. December 19, 2023. Retrieved December 21, 2023.
40. ^ "FCS ADA Announces 2023 All-America Team". nacda.com. FCS ADA. December 21, 2023. Retrieved December 21, 2023.
41. ^ "2024 NFL undrafted free agent tracker". cbssports.com. CBS Sports. Retrieved April 27, 2024.
42. ^ "NFL UDFA Tracker 2024". profootballnetwork.com. PFN. Retrieved April 27, 2024.

* v
* t
* e

Missouri Valley Football Conference

Teams|

* Illinois State Redbirds
* Indiana State Sycamores
* Missouri State Bears (leaving in 2025)
* Murray State Racers
* North Dakota Fighting Hawks
* North Dakota State Bison
* Northern Iowa Panthers
* South Dakota Coyotes
* South Dakota State Jackrabbits
* Southern Illinois Salukis
* Youngstown State Penguins

Championships & awards|

* All-time standings
* Conference champions

Seasons|

* 1985
* 1986
* 1987
* 1988
* 1989
* 1990
* 1991
* 1992
* 1993
* 1994
* 1995
* 1996
* 1997
* 1998
* 1999
* 2000
* 2001
* 2002
* 2003
* 2004
* 2005
* 2006
* 2007
* 2008
* 2009
* 2010
* 2011
* 2012
* 2013
* 2014
* 2015
* 2016
* 2017
* 2018
* 2019
* 2020
* 2021
* 2022
* 2023
* 2024

*[v]: View this template
*[t]: Discuss this template
*[e]: Edit this template
*[Conf.]: Conference record
*[W]: Wins
*[L]: Losses
*[Ref.]: Reference(s)