TERRE HAUTE, Ind. – Indiana State football continues Missouri Valley Football play this week as the Sycamores welcome No. 1/1 North Dakota State to Memorial Stadium in their annual Breast Cancer Awareness Game on Saturday, October 18. Kickoff is set for 1 p.m. and will be carried live on ESPN+ and 105.5 The Legend.
Game Day Activities and Promotions
Jeep Junkies Tailgate
The Jeep Junkies, a local group of Jeep people from around the Wabash Valley, will be in attendance with the Jeep Junkies Tailgate at Memorial Stadium this weekend. The organization will feature a variety of Jeeps in the Memorial Stadium parking lot as they join the Sycamores in their annual breast cancer awareness game.
Breast Cancer Memorial Ribbon Wall
Indiana State Athletics will have a Breast Cancer Memorial Ribbon Wall at Memorial Stadium on Saturday afternoon for fans to pin ribbons to both honor and remember those with breast cancer.
Pink Pom Pom Giveaway
The first 300 fans inside the gates in Saturday's game will receive pink pom poms as the Sycamores host their annual Pink Game in continuing to raise breast cancer awareness.
Clear Bag Policy
Indiana State Athletics clear bag policies are in effect for the 2025-26 athletic year. The policies are consistent with other members in both the Missouri Valley Conference and Missouri Valley Football Conference. (Click Here for more information)
Game Day Sponsor
Refreshment Services, Inc is a privately-held independent bottler for Pepsi-Cola products. With seven distribution centers located across the central and southern parts of the United States, Refreshment Services Inc. is the premier distributor for Pepsi and other brands of beverages and snacks. To find out more, click the link
here.
Notes
About the Matchup
North Dakota State leads the all-time series with an 11-1 edge over the Sycamores dating back to the inaugural meeting back on November 1, 2008. The Bison are 6-0 all-time inside Memorial Stadium, including winning 31-26 over the Sycamores back on October 8, 2022.
North Dakota State has been No. 1 in the matchup in five matchups, including last seen in the 2022 season, with NDSU holding a 4-1 record in those contests. The Sycamores picked up the 17-14 win inside the Fargo Dome back on October 13, 2012, for their lone win in the series.
Last Time Against North Dakota State
North Dakota State ran their winning streak to seven consecutive games against Indiana State following the October 8, 2022, 31-26 win inside Memorial Stadium. The Sycamores held the 13-10 halftime lead over the Bison thanks in part to a Dante Hendrix touchdown reception and a Cade Chambers one-yard quarterback keeper. North Dakota State fought its way back into the contest in the second half behind a three-touchdown game from TaMerik Williams to go up 24-20 midway through the third quarter.
A late 10-yard touchdown pass from Cam Miller to Zach Mathis put the Bison ahead 31-20 with 5:44 remaining in the fourth quarter before the Sycamores put together a 10-play, 75-yard touchdown drive to fight back into the game. The drive was highlighted by a 34-yard Dante Hendrix catch and a Justin Dinka 25-yard carry, before Cade Chambers found Hendrix in the left corner on a one-yard fade pattern to cut the lead down to 31-26.
On the ensuing onside kick, NDSU's Joe Stoffel collected the ball at the Bison 49 to end the Sycamores' final chances to come back.
Justin Dinka recorded his first collegiate 100-yard rushing effort with 156 yards on nine carries, while adding an 82-yard touchdown run early in the third quarter. Dante Hendrix hauled in seven catches for 109 yards and a pair of scores in the loss. Rylan Cole recorded a career-high 19 tackles and added a forced fumble in leading four Sycamores with double-digit stops in the game.
Sycamores Against Ranked Opponents
Indiana State football is no stranger to facing ranked opponents as members of the Missouri Valley Football Conference. The Sycamores are currently slated to face eight teams currently ranked or receiving votes in both major FCS national polls, including the current No. 1 overall North Dakota State Bison, No. 2 South Dakota State, as well as Top 25 opponents Southern Illinois, Illinois State, North Dakota, South Dakota, Montana, and Youngstown State.
The Sycamores are 1-9 in their last 10 games against ranked opponents dating back to the 2022 season. Indiana State recorded their last win against a ranked opponent last season at home when the Sycamores topped then-No. 15 North Dakota on November 2, 2024, 35-31.
Scouting North Dakota State
North Dakota State heads into the weekend as the top overall ranked team in both the STATS FCS poll and AFCA Coaches poll after topping Southern Illinois this past week in Fargo, 45-17. The Bison are 6-0 overall on the season, and 3-0 in MVFC play. NDSU has picked up wins over The Citadel, Tennessee State, and SEMO in nonconference play, while defeating South Dakota, Illinois State, and SIU over the last three weeks.
The Bison are one of the most balanced teams in the entirety of the FCS sitting second overall in total defense (235.2 ypg) and fourth in total offense (501.3 ypg). NDSU is sixth in scoring offense (44.5 ppg) and boasts the top overall scoring defense at 10.5 points per game.
The balance is even more apparent in the run-pass split with NDSU sitting sixth overall in rushing offense (235.3 ypg) and 12th in passing offense (266.0 ypg). The Bison offense, led by reigning MVFC Player of the Week Cole Payton, also boasts the top completion percentage in the country at 75.0%, while turning the ball over just one time over the six games on the season.
Payton sits among the nation's passing (236.0) and rushing (67.3) leaders on the season, while Barika Kpeenu paces the offensive attack with 81.3 rushing yards per game. Bryce Lance is the team's receiving leader at 76.8 yards per game through the air.
Defensively, NDSU is led by Nathaniel Staehling's 41 tackles, including an interception and fumble recovery. Keenan Wilson has helped the Bison control the line of scrimmage with 5.0 TFL and a team-high 4.0 sacks, while Donovan Woolen has 27 tackles, an interception and four pass breakups to go with 3.0 TFL.
2025 Indiana State Single Game On Sale Now
Indiana State single game tickets went on sale in mid-July starting at $15 for adults, $5 for kids, and group rates of $5 for 15+ attendees. Single game rates are higher for the 2025 Homecoming Game against South Dakota on October 11 with prices rising to $18 for adults, $8 for kids, and a group rate of $8.
Indiana State will employ mobile ticketing as the default option for all home games during the 2024 football season, enabling contactless entry into athletics venues. Offering greater convenience and safety, fans can access their ticket online and transfer to family and friends. Fans will also have the option to get their tickets printed for an additional $5 charge.
For more information on season tickets, fans can call 812-237-8972 or email
ISU-Tickets@indstate.edu. Fans have the opportunity to also buy or renew season tickets online by clicking
HERE.
Follow the Sycamores
For the latest information on Sycamore Football, visit
GoSycamores.com. You can also find the team on social media, including
Twitter,
Facebook,
Instagram and
YouTube. Fans can also receive updates on Sycamore Athletics by downloading the March On App from both the
App Store and the
Google Play Store.
