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Iowa football early opponent preview: South Dakota State
Jackrabbits coming off back-to-back years with deep FCS postseason runs
Editor’s note: This is first in a 12-part series previewing Iowa football’s 2022 opponents.
For the first time since beating Northern Iowa 38-14 in 2018, Iowa football will be preparing for an FCS opponent this year — South Dakota State on Sept. 3 at Kinnick Stadium.
2016 serves as a cautionary tale, when North Dakota State came to Kinnick and pulled off a 23-21 upset of the then-No. 13 Hawkeyes.
When South Dakota State arrives in Iowa City for the Hawkeyes’ Sept. 3 season opener, it’ll likely be one of the better FCS teams Iowa has seen.
In the delayed 2020 season, the Jackrabbits reached the FCS championship and then lost, 23-21, to Sam Houston. Two of SDSU’s three playoff wins came by 28 or more points.
Then in 2021, SDSU reached the semifinals before losing to Montana State. Its regular-season wins included a 42-23 rout of Colorado State — the same team Iowa defeated, 24-14 — and FCS standard-bearer North Dakota State.
Looking ahead to 2022, the Jackrabbits have three players — running back Isaiah Davis, tight end Tucker Kraft and offensive lineman Mason McCormick — who earned preseason All-America recognition from Athlon Sports.
That’s tied for the most in the FCS this year with North Dakota State and Montana.
Iowa vs. South Dakota State: 3 things to watch for
- How does SDSU’s rushing attack fare against Iowa’s experienced defensive front? The run-heavy Jackrabbits will be going up against a defensive front with all but one starter returning from last year. SDSU’s starting running back from last year, Pierre Strong was selected in the NFL Draft, but Davis is another potent weapon in the backfield.
- Iowa’s starting quarterback vs. SDSU’s secondary. The Sept. 3 season opener will be Iowa’s first substantial bellwether for the quarterback position after its 2021 shortcomings. While SDSU’s secondary hasn’t received the same preseason accolades that its offense has received, the Jackrabbits have plenty of experience at the position. SDSU had 21 interceptions last year, and 18 came from players who still are on the 2022 roster.
- SDSU’s trip to Iowa City will be a homecoming for some players. Linebacker Adam Bock and wide receiver A.J. Coons are from Solon, and wide receiver Grahm Goering is an Iowa City West grad.
2022 prognosis
South Dakota State has the potential to be pesky, but at the end of the day, it’s still an FCS opponent. When ranking Iowa’s most difficult opponents in 2022, SDSU is arguably 11th out of 12 teams.
Comments: (319) 398-8394; john.steppe@thegazette.com
South Dakota State quarterback Chris Oladokun (6) hands off to running back Isaiah Davis (22) in warmups before playing Montana State in the semifinals of the FCS playoffs, Saturday, Dec. 18, 2021, in Bozeman, Mont. (AP Photo/Tommy Martino)
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