Opponent Insight: Indiana State

Indiana State Notes (Indiana State Record: 2-2, 0-1 in MVFC)
The Series (From ISU): It is the eighth meeting between the two schools with South Dakota State holding a 5-2 advantage dating back to 2009. The Jackrabbits have won the last four meetings, with the Sycamores' last victory coming in 2011 in Brookings by a score of 38-28. The victory marked the second-straight win for ISU in the series after winning the 2010 meeting at home (Memorial Stadium), 41-30. The Sycamores are 1-2 at home and 1-3 on the road against SDSU.

Past Meetings:

Year	Location	Result
2015	Brookings, S.D.	SDSU, 24-7
2014	Terre Haute, Ind.	SDSU, 32-17
2013	Brookings, S.D.	SDSU, 29-0
2012	Terre Haute, Ind.	SDSU, 24-10
2011	Brookings, S.D.	ISU, 38-28
2010	Terre Haute, Ind.	ISU, 41-30
2009	Brookings, S.D.	SDSU, 41-0
2008	Terre Haute, Ind.	SDSU, 49-9

SDSU has outscored ISU 257-122 in the eight meetings (average points per game: SDSU - 32.1, ISU - 15.3) and has held the Sycamore offense without a score twice, with the last time being in 2013. The Jackrabbit football team has held an opponent without a score on five separate occasions since becoming moving into the NCAA DI-AA/FCS in 2004 - with two scoreless games coming against Indiana State at home in 2009 and 2013 (2015 at Missouri State, 39-0; 2013 vs. Indiana State, 29-0; 2010 vs. North Dakota, 21-0; 2009 vs. Indiana State, 41-0; 2007 vs. Stephan F. Austin, 45-0).

Indiana State has been blanked on the scoreboard once this year (Northern Iowa on Sept. 27, 33-0), twice last year (North Dakota State on Oct. 7 - 52-0, Western Illinois on Nov. 11 - 45-0) and then not since the SDSU beat them 29-0 in 2013 (Nov. 9).

Notable Matchup:
2015 vs. Indiana State (SDSU won, 24-7): The game marked the final night game at Coughlin-Alumni Stadium, with the Jackrabbits improving to 30-10 in games under the lights on that field. SDSU was ranked eighth in the STATS poll and ninth in the FCS Coach's poll while ISU was 19th and 21st, respectively.

Taryn Christion's first career start featured his first career rushing and passing TDs, earning him MVFC Newcomer of the Week (total offense: 320 yards, passing: 15 completions on 24 attempts for 221 yards and one TD with a long of 46 yards, rushing: 16 attempts for 99 yards and one TD with a long of 12 and an average of 6.2 yards) ... scored a rushing TD on a 10-yard run in the second quarter (SDSU up 7-0) and threw his TD to Jake Wieneke for 34 yards in the second quarter (SDSU up 14-0).

SDSU's defense recorded six sacks - which were the most since the 2013 FCS playoff matchup at Northern Arizona (has only had two other games with six team sacks in a game since then - Southern Illinois: Win - 45-39, Oct. 8, 2016 ... Youngstown State: Win - 24-10, Oct. 22, 2016).

Indiana State Overview (From ISU): The Sycamores' season-opening win against Quincy snapped a 14-game losing streak for the Sycamore football program dating back to the 2016 season (1 year, 10 months, eight days). ISU's last victory before the opener was a 22-14 win at Southern Illinois in 2016. The victory against Quincy also marked the first win for head coach Curt Mallory and his staff since taking over the program in January of 2017. Two weeks later, the Sycamores picked up their first Division I victory since the 2016 season when the team traveled to regional foe Eastern Illinois and defeated the Panthers, 55-41.

Indiana State returns 13 starters from a year ago, including six on the offensive side of the ball and seven on defense. The Sycamores' top returners include RB Ja'Quan Keys (2017: 208 yards rushing, two touchdowns); LB Jonas Griffith (2017: 107 tackles, 5.5 sacks); LB Katrell Moss (2017: 101 tackles, nine tackles for loss); DB Rondell Green (2017: 66 tackles, two interceptions). ISU also brings back five offensive linemen with game experience. ISU lost its top rusher in LeMonte Booker as well as its top all-purpose man and receiver from a year ago in Bob Pugh. No quarterback on the current roster threw a pass for the Sycamores in 2017.

2017 Review: The Sycamore defense was pushed to its limit last season, allowing 45 points per game. That may not be a great indicator of how good ISU's defense was as the unit was on the field nearly 10 minutes more than its counterparts on average due to a struggling offense. The Sycamores managed to put up just 90 points over 11 games and were held scoreless twice. In all, the Sycamores converted just 25 third downs on the year and held the worst third-down conversion rate (25-of-110) in the country.

Offense: The offense averages 27.8 points per game by scoring 14 TDs on the ground and no TDs through the air, running 276 plays for 1,465 yards (366.3 per game, 5.3 per play) ... The team has picked up 75 first downs (51 by rushing, 18 by passing and six by penalty) ... they have rushed for 999 yards on 208 attempts (249.8 per game, 4.8 per carry) ... have thrown it 68 times and completed it 37 times (54.4 percent) for 466 yards, no touchdowns and one interception (by QB Ryan Boyle) - averaging 116.5 yards per game, 6.85 yards per attempt ... the team has fumbled the ball six times, but only lost one of them ... the Sycamores are tied for sixth in the FCS for fewest turnovers lost (2), a fumble against Quincy to open the season and an interception against UNI last Thursday night ... Indiana State's offense is ranked 10th in the FCS in redzone offense, scoring 13 TDs and two FGs on 16 trips inside the 20 (93.8 percent) ... has scored a majority of their points in the beginning of halves (scoring by quarter: First - 38, Second - 21, Third - 28, Fourth - 24, Total - 111).

Defense: Opponents have scored an average of 26.3 points per game (ranked fifth in the MVFC, 41st nationally), throwing five TDs and rushing for five more, running a total of 264 plays for 1,506 yards (376.5 per game, 5.7 yards per play) ... ISU opponents through four games have picked up 80 total first downs (41 by rushing, 33 by passing and six by penalty) ... the defense has allowed 591 total rushing yards on 145 attempt (147.8 yards per game, 4.1 per carry) while allowing 915 passing yards on 119 attempts, completing 78 (65.5 percent) while grabbing one interception (228.75 yards per game, 7.69 per attempt) ... recorded their first shutout since 2015 in the season-opener vs. Quincy - allowing just 159 yards of total offense and 2.8 yards per play (81 rushing, 78 passing) while forcing two fumbles - grabbing one, and a pair of sacks.

Sycamores' Players to Watch
QB Ryan Boyle (#10, R-JR, 6-2, 215): 26-46 (57.8 percent) for 345 yards and one interception with a long of 50 through the last two games on the season (#2 QB Jalil Kilpatrick was the starter the first two games of the season) ... has added 19 attempts rushing for 58 yards and one TD with a long of 17 yards ... has a season-high passing yards of 209 vs. Eastern Illinois - a game where he also tallied a season-high 30 rushing yards and a TD ... he completed three passes of 20-plus yards vs. UNI - two to WR Dante Hendrix and one to WR Michael Thomas ... ranks 37th nationally with a 13.27 yards per completion mark in two games at QB ... Boyle spent three seasons at Iowa before joining the team prior to training camp in August, bringing with him many high school accolades - including the Iowa Gatorade Player of the Year his junior and senior seasons.

RB Ja'Quan Keys (#3, SR, 5-10, 220): Has recorded 83 attempts for 492 yards and six TDs rushing (leads team in all three categories) and two catches for eight yards through four games (Keys holds nearly half the total rushing yards for the Sycamores) ... has averaged 123 yards per game this season ... has a long of 43 yards on the season and game-highs of 234 rushing yards (34 attempts) at Eastern Illinois and 102 yards at Lousiville ... scored four rushing TDs against Eastern Illinois (three in the first half) and two against Quincy ... Keys currently ranks 10th nationally and second in the MVFC with 123 rushing yards per game and 35th with 5.93 yards per carry ... also ranks 35th nationally and fifth in the MVFC with 125 all-purpose yards per game. Keys entered 2018 with 519 yards' career rushing yards in two seasons, and with 492 yards after five weeks.

RB Christian Covington (#31, FR, 5-11, 215): Has 36 carries for 167 yards and four TDs (second on the team in all categories) through four games ... has 60-plus yards, double-digit carries, and multiple TDs in the game against Quincy (10 for 64 yards and two TDs) and at Eastern Illinois (14 for 60 yards and two TDs) ... has 4.6 yards per carry.

RB Titus McCoy (#30, SO, 5-10, 190): Has 29 attempts for 145 yards and two rushing TDs through four games (third on team in all categories) ... also has two catches for 15 yards - adding one vs. Qunicy and another at Eastern Illinois ... led all rushers against Quincy, going for 81 yards on the ground on 10 carries and scored his first career touchdown in the second quarter of action and reeled off a career long 24-yard scamper in the second quarter.

WR Dante Hendrix (#8, R-FR, 6-3, 180): Hendrix leads the Sycamores with 202 yards receiving, on 12 catches, (leads team in both categories) and averages 16.8 yards per catch ... is averaging 50.5 yards receiving per game ... caught two passes against Quincy for 27 yards in the season opener, including a 20-yard reception in the third quarter ... added two receptions against Eastern Illinois, one on the first offensive play of the game for 50 yards ... has five catches of 20 yards or more this season to lead the Sycamores ... He finished with two catches of 20 or more yards against Northern Iowa in week five.

LB Jonas Griffith (#46, R-JR, 6-4, 240): Ranks second on the Indiana State defense and 34th nationally with 36 tackles, including 19 solo tackles to go along with 2.0 tackles for loss and a half sack ... currently ranks seventh in the conference in tackles ... led the way on the defensive side of the ball with 11 tackles, including five solo stops and his first career interception in the game vs. Louisville ... Griffith led the Sycamores in tackles with 107 in 2017 - recording a career high 15 vs. SIU, 13 vs. EIU, 10 at Missouri State and nine at Tennessee ... finished the season ranked third in the Valley in total tackles

LB Katrell Moss (#53, R-SR, 5-11, 225): Leads the Sycamores with 37 tackles this season and ranks sixth in the MVFC in the category ... has 16 solo stops and finished with seven tackles (five solo) against Louisville ... finished with 9.0 TFL in 2017, including 2.5 sacks and was second on the team and fifth in the MVFC with 101 tackles including 36 solo tackles ... recorded a career high 20 tackles against Southern Illinois.

DB Kaelub Newman (#11, JR, 6-1, 185): One of four Sycamores with 20 or more tackles this season ... has 19 solo stops alone from his cornerback position, including a career high seven tackles against Louisville ... forced two fumbles this season (ranks eighth nationally, second in MVFC with 0.5 forced fumbles per game), including one at Louisville ... In 2017, recorded 32 tackles, two interceptions, eight pass breakups and a sack at the College of Dupage.

MVFC Players of the Week for ISU
RB Ja'Quan Keys (Sept. 15 - W55-41 at Eastern Illinois): finished with a career-high 232 yards rushing on 34 attempts, including four trips to the end zone in a victory over Eastern Illinois Saturday ... was the sixth-highest single-game rushing total in program history ... now eclipsed the 100-yard rushing mark in in two of the last three games this season WR/RS Dakota Caton (Aug. 30 - W49-0 vs. Qunicy): Returned a 71-yard punt for a TD ... first PR TD in nearly three years for ISU.

Game-by-Game Recap (From ISU, 2-2, MVFC: 0-1):
Sept. 27 vs. Northern Iowa (L, 33-0): In HC Curt Mallory's rebuild of Indiana State's program, it is evident progress has been made. And for 30 minutes Thursday night at Memorial Stadium, the Sycamores were within striking distance of No. 21 Northern Iowa. But the rebuild is still in progress, as evidenced by the missed connections. Indiana State dropped a 33-0 decision to No. 21 Northern Iowa Thursday night.

The Sycamores gained nearly 300 yards but were set back 84 yards on nine penalties and converted just one third down in 14 attempts. RB Ja'Quan Keys led the rushing charge with 76 yards on 16 carries while WR Dante Hendrix caught five passes for 76 yards. ISU's best chance for a score came in the first half after DL Stephon Mayes forced a fumble and DB Jamal Jones recovered the ball. That stalled an impressive drive as Indiana State drove 74 yards in 11 plays spanning 5:02. It thwarted the only red zone opportunity for the Sycamores as UNI only led 6-0 at that point.

The Panthers used a steady rushing attack to tire the Sycamore front seven, running 51 times on the night for 265 yards in total. UNI added a 19-yard pick-six in the fourth quarter after a muffed punt return put the Sycamores five yards from their own end zone.

LB Katrell Moss finished with a team high 12 tackles and a tackle-for-loss while DB Jamal Jones also recorded double-digit stops with 11 tackles, including eight solo.

Sept. 15 at Eastern Illinois (W, 55-41): On a night where temperatures swelled to nearly 90 degrees at kickoff time, it was the offenses that came out red hot for both teams. The Sycamores were the first team to provide consistent defensive stops and forced a timely turnover before the half. Coupled with a stout Sycamore offensive attack, ISU rolled to a 55-41 victory over Eastern Illinois.

RB Ja'Quan Keys finished the game with a career-high 232 yards rushing on 34 attempts, including four trips to the end zone. It was the sixth-highest single-game rushing total in program history. He has now eclipsed the 100-yard rushing mark in all three Indiana State games this season. Keys became the first Sycamore to eclipse the 200-yard rushing mark since 2013 and the first Sycamore to score three touchdowns in one half of football since 2015. Keys is the first Sycamore to score four touchdowns in a game since 2015 and the first Sycamore to record four rushing touchdowns since 2011. Overall ISU amassed 326 rushing yards and reached the end zone six times via the ground.

In his first collegiate start, QB Ryan Boyle went 13-of-18 passing for 209 yards. He added 30 rushing yards. Boyle completed passes to six different Sycamores in the contest. His top target was WR Dante Hendrix who caught five passes for 99 yards.

On the defensive side of the ball, LB Jonas Griffith led the way with 11 total tackles, including nine solo stops.

The ISU offense proved to be prolific as they racked up 535 yards of total offense. Indiana State earned 26 first downs in the contest. The 31 points scored in the first half were the most by the Sycamores overall and in a road game since they tallied 35 on October 3, 2015. That is also the last time the Sycamores ran up over 50 points on an opponent.

Sept. 8 at Louisville (L, 31-7): Indiana State battled through three separate weather delays and showed fight as it took a late Louisville offensive surge for the Cardinals to exit the field with a 31-7 victory. It was the first meeting between the two teams since 2009 as the Sycamores were looking for their first victory over a FBS foe since a 2014 win at Ball State. This game which kicked off just after 6 p.m. (CT) lasted into early Sunday morning with three weather delays, including the middle one which lasted over one hour.

Louisville got on the board at the 12:04 mark of the first quarter on a 55-yard punt return by Rod Burns for the quick 7-0 cushion. RB Ja'Quan Keys led the way offensively for the Sycamores as he finished the game with 20 carries for a career-high 102 yards. LB Jonas Griffith recorded 11 total tackles and had an interception to set up a Sycamore touchdown to tie the game at seven all into halftime.

Louisville shutout Indiana State the rest of the game while scoring late in the third quarter to seize the lead. The Cardinals added two more touchdowns and a field goal in the fourth quarter to seal the victory.

Aug. 30 vs. Quincy (W, 49-0): Indiana State football powered its way to a 49-0 win over the Quincy Hawks to open the 2018 regular season at Memorial Stadium. The Sycamores went for 423 yards in total while allowing just 159 yards in the shutout - the first shutout for an ISU defense since holding Quincy scoreless to open the 2012 campaign. The ISU offense totaled 339 yards on the ground and six rushing touchdowns. Nine Sycamores recorded rushing attempts led by QB Jalil Kilpatrick who went for 69 yards and a touchdown. RB Titus McCoy led all Sycamores with 81 yards on the ground to go with a touchdown, just edging RB Ja'Quan Keys who finished with 80 yards and two scores. The Sycamores 7-of-13 on third down and scored in all six of their trips to the red zone.

Coming off an impressive year on the defensive side last season, linebackers Katrell Moss (9) and Jonas Griffith (8) were again at the top of the stat sheet in tackles. Another Preseason All-MVFC selection in Inoke Moala added five tackles and 1.5 tackles-for-loss in the victory. The ISU defense did not allow a play more than 12-yards until the fourth quarter of play.

-GoJacks.com-

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Upcoming Event: Football versus Illinois State on November 15, 2025 at 2 p.m.

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Completed Event: Football at South Dakota on November 8, 2025 , Loss , 17, to, 24

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