TERRE HAUTE, Ind. – Indiana State faces a tough task this weekend as the Sycamores head up to Fargo, N.D. and the Fargodome for a Missouri Valley Football matchup against No. 2/2 North Dakota State. Kickoff between the Sycamores and the Bison is set for 3:30 p.m. ET and will be carried live on ESPN+ and 105.5 The Legend.
Game Notes
Final Stretch of the Season
The Sycamores head into the final stretch of the 2021 season looking to secure their first above .500 record since 2018. However, Indiana State will face a tough task as the Sycamores will take on two teams ranked in the top-five in FCS with four weeks to play, while a road date against Illinois State also highlights the schedule. First up, the Sycamores travel to No. 2/2 North Dakota State this weekend in the Fargo Dome as ISU faces off against their highest-ranked opponent in the 2021 season. Following a bye week, ISU will welcome current No. 3/3 Southern Illinois for Senior Day at Memorial Stadium on November 13. The Sycamores will wrap up the year against the Redbirds on November 20.
Back on the Road
It has been a tale of two seasons for the Sycamores this year as Indiana State boasts a 3-1 record inside the friendly confines of Memorial Stadium this year, while posting a 1-3 record away from Terre Haute. The Sycamores have recorded wins over Eastern Illinois, Western Illinois, and Youngstown State on the year with a home date still against Southern Illinois (Nov. 13) on the horizon. Indiana State's lone road win of the 2021 season came against a surging Eastern Kentucky team that made its debut in both the national polls as the Colonels clocked in at No. 19/25 this weekend. The Sycamores topped EKU back on September 18 in Richmond, Ky., 23-21, thanks to a last-second touchdown connection from
Kurtis Wilderman to
Phazione McClurge.
Against Ranked Opponents
Indiana State is looking for its first win against a ranked opponent this season as the Sycamores make the trip to Fargo, N.D. to take on the No. 2/2 North Dakota State Bison. Indiana State fell to then-ranked No. 2/3 South Dakota State on September 25, 44-0, and No. 23/20 Missouri State, 37-7, on the road. The Sycamores last win over a ranked opponent came back in the 2018 season when ISU topped Illinois State on November 10, 28-23. The win came during a five-game winning streak as Indiana State wrapped up the year 7-4 overall with a 5-3 mark in MVFC play.
Series Matchup
North Dakota State leads the all-time series over Indiana State, 9-1, dating back to their first matchup in the 2008 season. The Bison won the first four contests before the Sycamores picked up their first win in the series in the 2012 season at the Fargo Dome. The Bison enter this weekend on a five-game winning streak in the series with the latest coming in the 2017 season, a 52-0 NDSU win.
Indiana State's lone win in the series came in the 2012 season under former head coach Trent Miles as ISU took down the top-ranked Bison in the 17-14 win. The Sycamores utilized a strong game from Shakir Bell (96 rushing yards), while Johnny Towalid recorded a pick-six in the second quarter in ISU's win.
First Three
November 1, 2008 – at North Dakota State – L, 34-7
November 14, 2009 – vs. North Dakota State – L, 56-17
October 23, 2010 – at North Dakota State – L, 27-15
Last Three
October 24, 2015 – vs. North Dakota State – L, 28-14
November 12, 2016 – at North Dakota State – L, 41-17
October 7, 2017 – vs. North Dakota State – L, 52-0
On This Date
Indiana State has played seven games on October 30 in program history and has posted a 3-4 record on the date dating back to 1971. The Sycamores have never faced off against North Dakota State on October 30 and five of their seven contests have come at home on the day prior to Halloween. Indiana State has lost both road contests on October 30 with the latest coming in 2004 at Youngstown State.
On This Date
1971 – vs. Southern Illinois – W, 17-3
1976 – vs. Southern Illinois – L, 21-2
1982 – vs. Illinois State – W, 24-7
1993 – vs. Southern Illinois – L, 35-26
1999 – at Northern Iowa – L, 44-21
2004 – at Youngstown State – L, 45-20
2010 – vs. South Dakota State – W, 41-30
Opponent Information
North Dakota State was selected second overall in the MVFC Preseason Poll as voted on by the conference's head coaches, SID, and select media members. The Bison finished with 18 first-place votes and 435 total points as the perennial power was selected once again to be among the conference leaders this year.
The Bison had 10 players selected on the preseason MVFC All-Conference team with eight members earning First Team status. Wide receiver Christian Watson was recognized both among the conference's best as a wide receiver and a return specialist. Overall, NDSU's 10 players on the team marked the fourth-most honorees in the conference behind just Southern Illinois (13), South Dakota State (12), and Northern Iowa (11).
NDSU sits No. 2 in both the major FCS polls heading into this weekend's game. The Bison are the lone MVFC team to sit undefeated on the year with a perfect 7-0 mark, while NDSU and Southern Illinois are both tied atop the conference standings with matching 4-0 marks in conference play.
North Dakota State has paved the way with both a dominant defense (9.0 PPG) and a strong offense (32.0 PPG) this season as the Bison have outscored the opposition 224-63 on the year. NDSU is currently fourth in FCS in run defense (72.1 ypg) and 15th in pass defense (167.9 ypg), while also sitting third in FCS in third-down conversion defense (21.7%). The Bison have allowed 20 points in two of their last three games with three of their last four contests decided by less than two touchdowns.
Quarterback Quincy Patterson paces the Bison's rushing and passing efforts on the season. Patterson is averaging 60.3 yards per game on the ground and 116.1 passing yards per game. He's recorded at least 50 rushing yards in five games, including his first 100-yard mark at Illinois State two weeks ago. He's also added passing touchdowns in five of the seven games on the year.
Wide receiver Christian Watson is back among the conference leaders as the senior wide receiver paces the team with 22 catches for 483 yards and five touchdowns. After a quiet first four games, Watson has broken out in a major way with a pair of 100-yard efforts (106 this past week vs. Missouri State), and touchdowns in each of the last three contests.
Defensively it has been a team effort for the Bison this season. Looking at the statistics, 21 different players have been a part of a tackle for loss, while 16 players have recorded at least a half-sack. The Bison have also seen 17 different players post a pass defended on the year as they have taken teams out of their comfort zones all season.
Eli Mostaert is the team's leader at the line of scrimmage with NDSU-leading five sacks and six tackles for loss. Jackson Hankey is the tackling leader with 44 stops, while Brayden Thomas (6.0 TFL, 4.0 sacks) has also made an impact on the year. Jasir Cox leads the team and sits among the MVFC leaders with three interceptions.
Kerlegrand Carries Pacing the MVFC
Senior running back
Peterson Kerlegrand continues to make a late surge in both the Missouri Valley Football Conference and NCAA FCS leaders heading into the final three regular season games. Kerlegrand currently leads the MVFC with 130 total carries on the year and paced by a pair of 150-plus yard rushing efforts over the last three contests, he's moved into the top-20 in FCS in total rushing yards on the year.
Kerlegrand's latest effort against Youngstown State saw the Fort Wayne, Ind. native tote the ball a career-high 25 times for 151 yards and his second multi-touchdown rushing effort of the 2021 season. Kerlegrand currently sits third overall in the MVFC in total rushing yards (624) and tied for eighth overall in total rushing touchdowns (5). His 178 rushing yards against Western Illinois three weeks ago sits as the third-highest total in the MVFC this season, while this past weekend marked the seventh-best mark on the year. He will look to keep up his strong stretch this weekend against one of the toughest defenses in the nation with NDSU allowing just 72.1 rushing yards per game on the ground.
Hendrix Streak Continues
Another game, another catch for
Dante Hendrix. It's become almost routine for the redshirt junior wide receiver as this past weekend's contest against Youngstown State marked the 24th consecutive game Hendrix has recorded at least one catch. Hendrix was active early with three catches for 49 yards in the first quarter and kept the chains moving through several key blocks throughout the contest in the Sycamores win. Hendrix has recorded at least one catch in every game he's dressed out for dating back to September 8, 2018, against Louisville. The Florence, Ky. native has posted four career 100-yard receiving efforts, including a 10-catch, 121-yard game with a touchdown two weeks ago against Missouri State. He will look to continue making his mark this weekend against an NDSU pass defense that sits 15th in FCS allowing just 167.9 passing yards per game.
Larkin All Over the Field
Redshirt senior tight end
Zach Larkin remains one of the top targets in the Indiana State passing offense and has made his mark across the field while lining up at quarterback, tight end, and on the special teams unit. Larkin has recorded at least one catch in 14 consecutive games dating back to the early 2019 season and has posted a career-high five catches in three separate games this year. Larkin is three games removed from a career-best 72 yard receiving effort against Western Illinois, while he posted a five-catch, 65-yard this past weekend against Youngstown State. Larkin has added three receiving touchdowns on the year, while posting five games with rushing attempts this year. Larkin is also a perfect 1-for-1 through the air on passing attempts with a 30-yard completion against South Dakota on a perfectly executed throwback pass to
Anthony Thompson. The former ISU quarterback will continue to be a threat every time he gets on the field as the 6-5, 250lb athlete will be among the top targets this weekend for the Sycamores against the Bison.
Vazquez Anchors the Line
Redshirt sophomore
Jose Vazquez IV continues to draw the attention of the Indiana State coaching staff as he anchors a Sycamre offensive line that has gotten better each week. The Carol Stream, Ill. native has started all eight games at right guard for Indiana State this season and has 17 career starts dating back to the start of the 2019 season. The 335-lb guard has been a bulldozer for Indiana State and has teamed up with center
Alvin Clemons to help pace an offensive unit that is averaging 117.1 rushing yards and 166.9 passing yards per game on the year. Vazquez IV and the offensive line will face one of their toughest tasks of the 2021 season this weekend as the Sycamores will face off against a North Dakota State defensive line that is fifth in FCS with 3.86 sacks per game and 43rd with 5.7 tackles for loss on the year.
Thompson Performing at a High Level
Key to Indiana State's recent string of success has been the mounting confidence and strong play by redshirt senior quarterback
Anthony Thompson. Thompson was 13-of-21 through the air for 156 yards with passes complete to six different receivers in this past weekend's win over Youngstown State. He also added a season-high 12 carries for 63 yards and two touchdowns in ISU's win. Thompson put the first points on the board with a six-yard score in the first quarter. His 12-yard touchdown with 14:55 remaining in the fourth quarter put Indiana State ahead for good in the eventual 11-point win. Thompson is currently averaging 134.3 passing yards per game and is currently second on the team with 48 rushing attempts on the year. The Chicago, Ill. native has posted at least 100 passing yards in six of the eight games this season with a career-high 226 coming against Western Illinois. His 63 rushing yards were also a season-high as the 6-1 athlete picked up his first two rushing touchdowns of the season in the win over YSU.
That's the Player of the Week
Graduate transfer
JJ Henderson became the third Indiana State player to claim MVFC Defensive Player of the Week honors this past weekend as the Tampa, Fla. native took home the award following his two-interception performance against Youngstown State. Henderson brought home his first two picks of the year as a part of a four-interception fourth-quarter for the Sycamores defensive unit as ISU shut down the Penguins offense in the 28-17 win. Henderson added six tackles and two additional pass breakups in the win over YSU to keep the victory intact. Henderson has made strides over the last few games with breakups in five of the last six contests after assuming a starting role on the ISU defense. Henderson has posted three five-tackle games on the year and 2.0 tackles for loss in addition to a MVFC-leading nine passes defended.
Moala in the Backfield (Again)
Senior defensive end
Inoke Moala is the Missouri Valley Football Conference leader in both sacks and tackles for loss heading into Indiana State's ninth game of the season. The Mishawaka, Ind. native has been a terror to the opposing offensive units as he currently sits 14th overall in sacks per game (1.00) and tackles for loss per game (1.5), while also sitting tied for 10th overall with 8.0 sacks on the season. Moala has done most of his damage in bunches this year with multi-sack games in three separate games, including tying his career-high with 3.5 sacks against Western Illinois three weeks ago. He has also posted at least a half-tackle for loss in seven of the eight games with at least two TFLs on four separate occasions. Moala headlines a unit is third in the MVFC in total sacks (24) and will lead the rush against a NDSU offense that is currently 28th in FCS allowing just 1.43 sacks per game and 13th allowing just 3.71 tackles for loss per game.
See Ball, Hit Ball
Linebacker
Geoffrey Brown has slowed down in the tackling game, but the Fishers, Ind. native continues to make his impact felt on the field heading into the final stretch of the 2021 regular season. Brown is coming off one of his lowest tackling efforts on the year with three stops against Youngstown State, but the freshman put together one of his strongest pass rush efforts with three quarterback hurries in the win over the Penguins. Brown has recorded at least a half-tackle for loss in seven of the eight games on the year and sits second on the team with 6.5 TFLs on the year. He's firmly taken control of a starting linebacker role in the Sycamores 3-2-6 defense and is expected to help keep NDSU quarterback Quincy Patterson in check this upcoming weekend in what could be a defensive battle between the two teams.
Edwards Tracking
Although he didn't record one of the four interceptions by the Indiana State defense this past weekend,
Johnathan Edwards played lights-out with a season-high three pass breakups in the win over Youngstown State. Edwards' efforts came in a game that saw the Sycamores affect 11 different Penguin passes in the 28-17 Homecoming win. The St. Louis, Mo. native has recorded at least one pass breakup in five of ISU's eight games this season and he currently sits tied for fifth overall in the MVFC with seven passes defended on the year. Edwards has also been among the team's tackling leaders over the last five contests with a season-best eight stops coming back on October 9 against Western Illinois. He's added five tackle games against both South Dakota State and Youngstown State and is expected to be back on the field against a NDSU offense that is 110th in FCS in yards per game (138.6) on the season.
Thomas Getting the Tackles
Redshirt junior safety
Michael Thomas continues to pace the Indiana State defensive unit with a team-high 51 tackles through the first eight games of the season, while the Corona, Calif. native also sits team's defensive leaders with two interceptions on the year. Thomas has posted three double-digit tackling efforts on the year and has added one tackle for loss and a sack against South Dakota this season. Thomas is two games removed from a seven-tackle effort against Missouri State and he continues to be among the team's top ball-hawks on the year. Thomas was the first Sycamore to earn MVFC weekly honors this season following the season-opener against Eastern Illinois and he will look for his number to be called again this weekend heading into the NDSU matchup.
Hoover and Cole Making an Impact
Two new players in the Sycamore secondary have been making a splash recently as
Ethan Hoover and
Rylan Cole have taken over as the top two safeties on the roster heading into the final three games of the 2021 regular season. Hoover has progressed over the last few weeks and picked up his first collegiate interception this past weekend to spark the Indiana State defense in the 28-17 win over Youngstown State. Hoover is currently third on the Sycamore roster with 35 tackles on the season with a season-high eight coming against Western Illinois. For his part, Cole made his season debut against South Dakota with a trio of tackles against the Coyotes and has carved out a starting role in the Sycamore secondary. The McCordsville, Ind. native enters the weekend coming off a season-best eight tackles against Youngstown State, while he picked up his first collegiate sack the previous week against Missouri State. The two freshmen are expected to be back on the field in a supporting role against a NDSU offense that is predicated on the run averaging 256.3 yards per game this season.
Reiner Back on Top
Redshirt senior punter
Travis Reiner heads into the final month of the 2021 regular season sitting among the conference's leaders in punts downed inside the 20 and fair catches. The Canyon Country, Calif. native is currently second overall in the MVFC with 16 punts that have been downed inside the 20 yard line, including three this past weekend against Youngstown State. Reiner leads the MVFC with 51 punts on the year, while his 40.4 punt average puts him ninth in the conference on the year. Reiner has also forced 17 fair catches on the year and out of his 51 punts, only three have resulted in touchbacks.
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