SETTING THE STAGE
The fourth season of the Trent Miles era continues on Saturday, Oct. 1, as the No. 23 Sycamores hit the road in Missouri Valley Football Conference play for the first time this season against South Dakota State. Saturday's game is set for a 7:00 p.m. (ET) kickoff at Coughlin-Alumni Stadium (15,000). The game will air live on ESPN Radio (92.7 FM), with Brian Fritz and Tom James calling the action for the Nelligan Sports Marketing Radio Network. Action can be heard live worldwide on GoSycamores.com. Through a partnership with South Dakota State, the game will also be available on the internet via a live stream share on Sycamore Vision, which can be found at GoSycamores.com. The live stream will be available on a pay-per-view basis world wide.

THE SOUTH DAKOTA STATE SERIES
South Dakota State holds a narrow 2-1 lead in the short all-time series betweent the two programs. SDSU is 1-0 against Indiana State at home, earning a 41-0 victory in 2009. For the second consecutive meeting in Brookings, S.D., the game between Indiana State and South Dakota State is dubbed the Beef Bowl, a proud tradition for South Dakota State Athletics.

THE COACHES
INDIANA STATE: Trent Miles (Indiana State '87)
- Overall: 10-28 (4th Season)
- at Indiana State: 10-28 (4th Season)
- vs. South Dakota State: 1-2
- vs. Missouri Valley Football Conference: 6-19
SOUTH DAKOTA ST: John Stiegelmeier (SDSU, '79)
- Overall: 88-67 (14th Season)
- at South Dakota St.: 88-67 (14th Season)
- vs. Indiana State: 2-1
- vs. Missouri Valley Football Conference: 18-8

QUICK HITS
- Indiana State enters Saturday's contest against South Dakota State with a No. 23 national ranking from the FCS Coaches Poll and a No. 24 mention from The Sports Network/Fathead.com FCS Top 25. This is the first time a Sycamore football team has been nationally ranked since November of 1996.
- Indiana State is looking for its first 2-0 start to MVFC play since they downed Western Illinois and Southern Illinois on the road in consecutive weeks to begin the 1996 league campaign.

An Indiana State Win Over South Dakota State Would ...
• Give Indiana State back-to-back victories to start a MVFC campaign for the first time since a 2-0 start out of the gate in 1996.
• Give Indiana State a 4-1 start to the season, which would be its best since a similar start in 2004. A win would also give Indiana State four consecutive victories in the same season for the first time since 2004.
• Give Indiana State consecutive road victories for the first time since downing Eastern Michigan and Missouri State in 2001.
• Be Indiana State's first road victory over South Dakota State and even the all-time series at 2-2.

The Indiana State Head Coach
Indiana State head coach Trent Miles (Indiana State, 1987) is 10-28 (.263) overall in his third season as a head coach, all with the Sycamores. He is 6-19 all-time in MVFC games, including a 5-8 mark at home and a 1-11 mark on the road. During his career, he is 8-11 in all home games, 2-17 on the road and 3-2 in games decided by three points or less. Miles is 1-2 all-time against South Dakota State. With the Trees, Miles is 1-2 in overtime games, and 0-5 in shutouts. Saturday's game is Trent Miles' 39th game as Indiana State head coach.

The South Dakota State Head Coach
South Dakota State is led by veteran skipper John Stiegelmeier who is 88-67 in his 14th season as the Jackrabbits head coach. Stiegelmeier is 2-1 all-time against Indiana State, including a record of 1-0 versus the Sycamores at home.

Scouting The Jackrabbits
South Dakota State earned a 29-28 victory over Southern Utah in the season opener at home and have since dropped three consecutive road games to enter the Indiana State contest with a 1-3 record, and a 0-1 mark in MVFC play. SDSU fell to FBS Illinois and then lost on the road to Cal-Poly and dropped their league opener one week ago at Illinois State by the score of 20-13. Redshirt freshman Austin Sumner leads the SDSU offensive attack as he completed 18-of-32 passes for 194 yards in his first career start versus the Redbirds.

A Little History
This marks the 107th season of football at Indiana State, dating back to 1896. The University did not field teams from 1899 to 1900, 1908 or from 1910 to 1919. ISU owns an all-time record of 348-471-22 and is competing for the 26th consecutive season as a member of the MVFC.

Television Particulars
Indiana State's game against South Dakota State will be streamed live on Sycamore Vision, which is a pay-per-view service provided by GoSycamores.com. Fans should navigate to GoSycamores.com for pricing and schedule information.

What's Transpired
Indiana State is 3-1 on the season, dropping its season opener at Penn State by the score of 41-7 and downing Butler in the home opener 48-34. The Sycamores are led in rushing by Brock Lough who has 130 yards on 18 carries, averaging 7.2 yards per touch with three touchdowns. Ronnie Fouch has completed over 63 percent of his passes, connecting on 26-of-41 attempts with two touchdowns. Justin Hilton leads ISU with 10 passes for 129 yards and one touchdown while Jacolby Washington leads the way defensively with 23 total tackles. The Sycamores rolled up 456 yards of total offense against Butler. Larry Carter and Cory Little earned MVFC Player Of The Week honors for their efforts against Western Kentucky as the Sycamores earned a 44-16 road victory over the Hilltoppers. The Sycamores won their first contest against a NCAA FBS Subdivision member since 2001 with the win over WKU. ISU stretched its winning streak to three games with a 37-35 home victory over Youngstown State - its first over the Penguins at Memorial Stadium in 12 tries.

Earning National Respect In The Top 25 Polls
Indiana State enters the South Dakota State contest ranked No. 23 in the FCS Coaches Poll and is No. 24 in The Sports Network/Fathead.com Top 25 Poll released earlier this week. It marks the first time a Sycamore football team has been nationally-ranked in any poll since November of 1996.

Ringing The Bell
Indiana State sophomore running back Shakir Bell was outstanding against Youngstown State and for his efforts was named the Missouri Valley Conference Offensive Player Of The Week, The Sports Network Co-Offensive National Player Of The Week and the College Sports Performance Awards National Running Back Of The Week. Bell amassed 256 rushing yards in the contest on 21 attempts, averaging 12.2 yards per carry for the Trees. His 256 rushing yards are the most in a single-game by a Sycamore in the history of the program and marks his second consecutive 200-yard rushing performance. Bell is just the second-ever Sycamore to rush for over 200 yards in consecutive contests. Bell's 256 rushing yards broke the previous record of 253 held by Derrick Franklin against Murray State in 1990. Franklin is also the only other Sycamores to rush for 200 yards in back-to-back games back in 1991. Additionally, Bell found the end zone on the ground a total of four times, all in the first half. His four rushing touchdowns in one half is also a new school record. Bell scored on the game's first play from scrimmage on a 62-yard scamper just 18 seconds into the contest. He gave ISU a 14-0 advantage on a 39-yard scoring run just four minutes into the game and tallied a 62-yard touchdown on the ground in the second quarter. He finished off his masterful first half with a 51-yard touchdown rush with 4:03 left in the first half. His 62-yard touchdown run on the first play of the game is the longest scoring play for the Sycamores this season. Bell currently leads the Missouri Valley Football Conference in rushing yards per game with a 142.0 mark, a number which is second-best nationally.

Marching To The Archie
Aaron Archie tallied a career-high 18 total tackles, including seven solo stops as ISU downed Youngstown State by the score of 37-35 at Memorial Stadium. Archie added two quarterback sacks in the game for a total of 11 yards of losses and was responsible for 2.5 tackles for loss in the game. Archie added a quarterback hurry as well in the game for the Sycamores. Archie helped set the tone early in the game as he recorded a sack of YSU's Kurt Hess on the Penguin's first offensive series which netted minus-11 yards.

Sycamore Down Nationally-Ranked Youngstown State
Indiana State downed No. 24 Youngstown State by the score of 37-35 on Saturday to give the Sycamores their first victory over a nationally-ranked program since the 1999 campaign when ISU earned a win over No. 19 Western Illinois also at Memorial Stadium. With the victory, the Sycamores won against the Penguins for the first time in 12 all-time meetings inside Memorial Stadium and have now won consecutive contests against YSU for the first time ever. The victory was only the third in 22 all-time meetings for the Sycamores. ISU's 37 points scored were the most ever scored by an Indiana State team against Youngstown State.

Nothing Little About This Leg
Sophomore kicker Cory Little continued his solid start to the season by making his fourth consecutive field goal of the season in the fourth quarter against Youngstown State. Little backed up his 3-for-3 effort against Western Kentucky by making a 22-yard attempt late in the YSU contest which proved to be the game winner for the Sycamores. For the season, Little is 4-of-5 on his field goal attempts for the season, including a career-long of 43 yards against WKU.

Best Start Since 2004 As Sycamores Enjoy Three Game Winning Streak
The Sycamores are off to their first 3-1 start to a season since 2004 with its 37-35 victory over Youngstown State. ISU will look to match the 4-1 burst out of the gate by that same 2004 team next week at South Dakota State. ISU has now won three consecutive games in back-to-back seasons for the first time since they had enjoyed three game winning streaks in the 1994, 1995 and 1996 seasons. Since 1994, Indiana State has won three or more games in a row just six times in the same season. The last time Indiana State won four games in a row came in games two through five in 2004.

For Valley Openers
Indiana State's 26th season as a member of the Missouri Valley Football Conference began when the Sycamores downed Youngstown State by the score of 37-35 last week. It marked the first time that Indiana State has opened league play with a victory over the Penguins in five attempts. ISU is 7-19 in league lidlifting contests, including 6-7 all-time when opening league play inside Memorial Stadium. Indiana State won its league opener for the first time since a home victory over Illinois State in 2004. Indiana State is looking for their first 2-0 start to league play since 1996 at South Dakota State on Saturday.

Versus Nationally Ranked Opponents
No. 24 Youngstown State was the first Sycamore opponent from the FCS to be ranked at the time of the contest this season and ISU earned a 37-35 victory over them on September 24 inside Memorial Stadium. With the victory, ISU defeated their first opponent ranked in the Top 25 since taking down No. 19 Western Illinois on Oct. 23, 1999. The Sycamores are now 9-71 all-time against FCS nationally-ranked opponents, including a mark of 7-52 against league members that are nationally ranked.

Sycamore Turnover Turnaround Against WKU
Heading into the Western Kentucky contest, the Sycamores were -4 in the turnover margin category, but the Sycamores were +3 against the Hilltoppers and continued that positive trend with a +1 showing last week against Youngstown State. Now for the season, Indiana State is even in the turnover battle with their first four opponents.

Larry Carter Named MVFC Defensive Player Of The Week Against WKU
Indiana State senior cornerback Larry Carter earned his first career MVFC Defensive Player Of The Week honor after he recorded five solo tackles and also had two huge plays in the 44-16 victory over FBS foe Western Kentucky. Carter returned an interception for 65 yards in the waning seconds of the first half which set up an ISU field goal to give the Sycamores a 17-3 halftime lead. With Western Kentucky trying to move on the ISU defense on their first drive of the third quarter, Carter recovered a fumble to end the drive and set up a Sycamore TD to help put the game out of reach. The win against WKU was ISU's first over an NCAA FBS program since 2001.

Cory Little Named MVFC Special Teams Player Of The Week Against Western Kentucky
Indiana State sophomore kicker Cory Little was named the MVFC Special Teams Player Of The Week after he posted a career day for the Sycamores as he was a perfect 3-of-3 on field goal attempts as ISU downed Western Kentucky 44-16 in Bowling Green. Little connected on a career-long of 43 yards as the clock wound down to zeros on the first half and he added field goals of 42 yards and 35 yards. Little became the first Sycamore kicker to hit three field goals in a game since Kyle Hooper did it at Eastern Illinois in 2004. Little was also a perfect 5-fo-5 on PAT's in the contest.

Sycamores Beat FBS Western Kentucky In Impressive Fashion
Indiana State defeated NCAA FBS foe Western Kentucky, a current member of the Sun Belt Conference and a former member of the Missouri Valley Football Conference (2001-06) by the score of 44-16 in Bowling Green. ISU broke a 12-game losing skid to the Hilltoppers and earned their first victory over a NCAA FBS school since a 2001 victory at Eastern Michigan. ISU's 28-point win over the Hilltoppers is the largest margin of victory for an FCS school over an FBS school since a 30-point victory by North Dakota State over Central Michigan in 2007. ISU's 44 points scored over is tied for the most points scored by a Sycamore squad against an FBS school with a 44 point outburst against Louisville in 1984.

Back-To-Back Non-Conference Victories For Indiana State
Indiana State's back-to-back victories against Butler and Western Kentucky are the Sycamores' first consecutive non-conference victories against NCAA Division I foes since the Sycamores downed Eastern Illinois, Murray State and UT-Martin in succession back in 2004. Likewise, the Sycamores enter MVFC play with a 2-1 record, its best start to a season since a 4-1 burst out of the gate in 2004.

Ben Obaseki Named To Buck Buchanan Award Preseason Watch List
Junior defensive lineman Ben Obaseki has been named to the 2011 Buck Buchanan Watch List, presented by Fathead.com as announced by The Sports Network. The Buchanan Award is in its 17th season and will be presented to the FCS' outstanding defensive player at the national awards banquet Thursday night, Jan. 5 in Frisco, Texas. This season's winner will join a list of Buchanan Award greats such as Dexter Coakley, Jared Allen, Rashean Mathis, Kroy Biermann and 2010 winner J.C. Sherritt of Eastern Washington. Ballots will be sent to a panel of about 200 sports information and media relations directors, broadcasters, writers and other dignitaries after the regular season on Nov. 21. Obaseki was everywhere for Indiana State at Penn State, totaling five total tackles and putting pressure on the Penn State quarterbacks numerous times over the course of the game on Saturday at Beaver Stadium. Obaseki, a Preseason Buck Buchanan Watchlist Team member, recorded one solo stop and four assists versus the Nittany Lions. He went on to tally eight tackles with a quarterback sack at Western Kentucky. Obaseki now has 12 quarteback sacks in his career, and needs 13.5 more to tie Kyle Mitchell for the school record.

Sycamores Against The Missouri Valley Football Conference
Indiana State is in its 26th season as a member of the MVFC. ISU's first season as a league member came in 1986 when it went 1-5 through a six-game league schedule. The Sycamores are 45-115 in MVFC contests and have won six of their last 13 league matchups, marking the first time since the 2002 season that an ISU team has won multiple league contests over a similar stretch.

Leonard Riston Kickoff Return For A Touchdown Against Butler; Sycamores Lead MVFC In Kickoff Returns
Leonard Riston returned three kickoffs for a total of 156 yards, including a 92-yard touchdown in the second quarter as the Sycamores downed Butler at Memorial Stadium. Riston's 92-yard kickoff return for a touchdown was the Sycamores' first since the 2005 campaign when Cornell Johnson had a 97-yarder against Western Illinois. Riston currently ranks first in the MVFC in kickoff return average with a mark of 32.25 yards, which ranks tied for eighth-best nationally. Indiana State leads the MVFC through four games with a 27.29 kickoff return average.

Bringing Back Memories Of "The Fridge"
Ben Obaseki scored twice last season on offensive as a fullback despite being the team's starting defensive end and a nominee for the 2011 Buck Buchannan Award. Obaseki matched his career total of two rushing touchdowns with a pair against Butler. Obaseki opened the scoring for the Sycamores against Butler with a two-yard scoring rush in the game's first quarter and then added another two-yard TD in the third quarter.

Sycamores Picked To Finish Sixth In Missouri Valley Football Conference
The Indiana State football team has been picked to finish sixth in the annual Missouri Valley Football Conference Preseason Poll conducted earlier this summer by a vote of league head coaches, sports information directors and a media panel. It is the highest preseason ranking for the Sycamores since they were picked to finish sixth in a seven-team Gateway Football Conference race in 2000.

Alex Sewall Nominated For 2011 All-State AFCA Good Works Team
Alex Sewall, a senior exercise science major, is one of 132 national nominees for the 2011 All-State AFCA Good Works Team. The award recognizes the selfless contributions to volunteerism and community service made by college football student-athletes across the nation. From the nominees submitted by sports information directors across the nation on behalf of their schools, a special voting panel consisting of former Good Works Team® members and prominent college football media members will select two 11-player Good Works Teams® - one comprising of players from the NCAA Football Bowl Subdivision and another representing players from the NCAA Football Championship Subdivision, Divisions II, III, and the NAIA. The 22 student-athletes named to the 2011 Allstate AFCA Good Works Team® will be announced in late September.

Must See TV
Indiana State is making a school record five appearances on television this season, beginning with the season opener at Penn State. The contest against the Nittany Lions was telecast on the Big Ten Network, the Sycamores second-ever appearance on that network. ISU's 2007 contest at Indiana was one of the network's first live college football telecasts. ISU also appeared on ESPN3.com in its September 17 contest at Western Kentucky and will be on there again during the October 22 road game at Illinois State. The Sycamores made an appearance on Valley Live as part of the MVC Television Network on September 24 against Youngstown State. ISU's Homecoming contest against Western Illinois on October 15 will be shown locally on WTWO-TV in the Wabash Valley. The league games against North Dakota State on November 5 and at Missouri State on November 12 are up for wildcard selections by the league office for telecasts on ESPN3.com.

In Overtime
The Sycamores have played in 12 overtime contests since the rule was established for regular season games in the NCAA FCS Subdivision in 1996. The Sycamores are 7-5 in games that have used an extra period. ISU's last overtime contest came in the form of a 38-35 victory against Missouri State in the sixth game of the 2010 season.

Up Next
Indiana State stays on the road to face off against No. 2 Northern Iowa at the UNI-Dome on October, 8. Kickoff is slated for 5:00 p.m. (ET). The game will be streamed live world-wide on Sycamore Vision.