ST. LOUIS, M.O. – The Missouri Valley Football Conference released its preseason poll yesterday (Monday) conducted by league coaches, media, and sports information directors. For the first time since joining the Missouri Valley in 2008, South Dakota State has been tabbed as the league’s preseason favorite.
Jacks Coach John Stiegelmeier says he’s honored but knows they have a lot of work to do. He says they are going to take the lessons learned from the 23-21 FCS title game loss to Sam Houston and apply them to this season.
Twelve Jackrabbit players were honored on the MVFC Preseason Team, including six first-team selections. Running back Pierre Strong, Jr., tight end Zach Heins and offensive lineman Garret Greenfield represent the Jackrabbit offense, while defensive tackle Caleb Sanders, linebacker Logan Backhaus and cornerback Don Gardner were the defensive honorees. All were first-team all-MVFC picks during the spring campaign.
SDSU is scheduled to open the fall season on September 3rd at Colorado State, with the Jackrabbits kicking off their eight-game league slate on September 25 at Indiana State.
Rounding out the local Missouri Valley Conference Preseason Poll was North Dakota State at number two, North Dakota at three, and South Dakota at number eight.
