TERRE HAUTE, Ind. - The Indiana State Sycamores are ranked highly in the receiving votes category of both national polls as announced earlier today (Nov. 1). ISU received 12 votes in the FCS Coaches Poll and are ranked 33rd while they tallied 30 votes and are ranked 35th in the The Sports Network/Fathead.com Top 25 Poll. The Trees are currently 5-3 on the season and own a 3-2 record in Missouri Valley Football Conference play.

Saturday's opponent is Northern Iowa, who is ranked No. 17 in both polls. The Panthers are 5-3 on the season and own a 4-1 record in league play which is currently one game ahead of the Sycamores. With an Indiana State victory, the Sycamores would be tied for first place in the league standings and would own the best home field record of any team in the history of the program - 6-0. ISU last defeated a nationally-ranked team in 1999 when they took down No. 19 Western Illinois at Memorial Stadium. The Sycamores last defeated Northern Iowa, 21-19, at home in 2002.

Additionally, senior Darrius Gates has earned Honorable Mention National Running Back Of The Week plaudits for his efforts in the 41-30 victory over South Dakota State by the College Sports Performance Awards. Gates rushed 23 times for 143 yards and three touchdowns on the ground as the Sycamores downed South Dakota State, 41-30 at Memorial Stadium to improve to a perfect 5-0 on the season at home. Gates also caught three passes for 39 yards with two more touchdowns through the air. Gates' five total touchdowns in the game is a new school record, breaking a mark that had stood since 1961. He also now has 15 total touchdowns on the year, which is a new school record and his 90 points scored this season is likewise a new school standard. Gates' long rush of the contest was a 29-yarder while his 14-yard touchdown reception sparked the Trees to a 21-point second half. Gates now has five 100-yard rushing games this season and has scored three rushing touchdowns in three games this year.

Indiana State kicks off against Northern Iowa at 3:05 p.m. (ET) inside Memorial Stadium. Tickets are available this week at the Hulman Center Box Office.