MVFC Weekly Notebook (PDF)

National Honors
A pair of MVFC standouts have earned STATS National Player of the Week honors for their efforts on Sept. 9 -- QB Chris Streveler of South Dakota and PK Chase Vinatieri of South Dakota State.

Another Shutout
Youngstown State shut out visiting Robert Morris, 30-0.  It was YSU’s first shutout in exactly five years (Sept. 9, 2012).  It also marked the second shutout in the MVFC this season.  Illinois State blanked Butler, 45-0, in Week One.

Against the FBS
MVFC schools set a league record with four wins against FBS schools last year.  The Conference has had at least one FBS win in each of the last eight seasons, counting USD’s win at Bowling Green this year.  Western Illinois (at Coastal Carolina) and Southern Illinois (at Memphis) play the league’s other two this season.

Three in Top 5; Seven Ranked
For the second time in league history, three MVFC teams are ranked in the Top 5 in a weekly top-25 poll (9-28-15 was the other).  North Dakota State (2), South Dakota State (4) and Youngstown State (5) represent the league.  Overall, seven MVFC teams are ranked, marking the 12th time that’s happened in league history.

The Week Ahead
Eight of 10 league schools are in action on Sept. 16.  Four games are at home, where league schools are a combined 6-1 this year.

Against the FCS
The MVFC has an FCS-best 11 victories against FCS foes this year (11-2 overall).  The only other FCS conference with more than five wins against its FCS peers is CAA Football (9-1).  The Big Sky is next (5-5).

Road Warriors
MVFC teams have combined to post six non-conference road wins (four games are on the road this week.)  The Conference has had six or more non-MVFC road wins in each of the past four seasons after not reaching six in the six seasons prior (2008-13).  The MVFC set a record with 11 non-conference road wins in 2014 (includes the playoffs).

Big Sky-MVFC Challenge Series -- MVFC Leads, 4-1
In an effort to publicize current matchups and promote future non-conference scheduling between two of the premier FCS conferences, the Missouri Valley Football Conference and the Big Sky Conference have announced a Challenge Series between the two leagues.  MVFC schools have a combined 4-1 record after the first five contests.

Leading the Way
Several league players are among the FCS career leaders, most notably WR Jake Wieneke of South Dakota State (receptions/receiving yards), LB Brett Taylor of Western Illinois (total tackles), PK Zak Kennedy of Youngstown State (FG made), and P Sam Kuhter of UNI (punting average).

Tough Against the Run
The MVFC holds the top four spots in the NCAA FCS statistics for rushing yards allowed per game.  Last week, Southern Illinois held Mississippi Valley State to minus-8 rush yards, and the Salukis currently lead the nation (having played just one game).

Running Away With It
Six MVFC schools rank among the Top 20 in the FCS in rushing yards per game, led by North Dakota State’s 436.5-yard figure.  Three MVFC schools rank in the Top 8.

Against Ranked FCS Teams
North Dakota State picked up a win at sixth-ranked Eastern Washington on 9/9/17.  The Conference was 9-5 against ranked non-league FCS teams in 2017.  During the past three-plus seasons, the MVFC has a combined 30-12 record against non-MVFC ranked FCS teams (regular-season and playoff games combined).

Working Overtime
For the second-straight week, a game involving a Conference school went an extra session as UNI defeated Cal Poly, 45-38, this past weekend.  The MVFC had six overtime games last season, including YSU’s win against Wofford in the FCS playoffs.

Streveler Leads the FCS
South Dakota QB Chris Streveler leads the FCS in “total points responsible for.”   He has accounted for 10 touchdowns (60 total points) in USD’s first two games -- wins at Drake and at Bowling Green.  QB Taryn Christion of South Dakota State and QB Eli Dunne of UNI also rank in the Top 10, as both are tied for 7th with 7 TDs (42 points).

Offensive Showing
Five MVFC schools rank in the Top 10 in the FCS in total offensive yards per game, including NDSU (2nd, 607.5); USD (3rd, 554.5); SIU (6th, 521.0); Illinois State (8th, 519.0); and SDSU (9th, 517.5).