Missouri Valley Football Conference (MVFC)-(FCS)
Overview: The pandemic-shortened 2020-21 season saw a changing of the guard in the Missouri Valley Football Conference, as both the South Dakota State University Jackrabbits (8-2 overall) and the Missouri State University Bears (5-5 overall), finished 5-1 in MVFC action. That was good enough for both squads to share the conference crown. The University of North Dakota Fighting Hawks (5-2, 4-1) finished not far behind both the Bears and Jackrabbits, respectively, in finishing a solid third in league play despite having their remaining regular-season contests canceled due to COVID-19.
The tone for the season was set on the last Saturday in February. That was when Illinois State crushed the then three-time defending FCS national champion North Dakota State University Bison, 38-14, to snap NDSU's 39-game winning streak. NDSU (7-3, 5-2) then saw its hopes of winning another MVFC championship fall by the wayside, with the Jackrabbits knocking off the Bison in Fargo, N.D. by a final score of 27-17 on April 17. It marked the first time in just over a decade (2010) that North Dakota State had not won at least a share of the MVFC title.
In the FCS playoffs, South Dakota State advanced to its first-ever FCS national championship game in Frisco, Tex., on Sunday, May 16. However, the Jackrabbits lost a heartbreaker to Sam Houston State, 22-21, in the final seconds to settle for a national runner-up finish.
Meanwhile, North Dakota State saw its run for a fourth-straight national championship vanish during the second half of their quarterfinal game at Sam Houston, with the Bearkats rallying late to eliminate the Bison, 24-20, in quarterfinal round action on Sunday, May 2.
Other teams shined in postseason play as well, with North Dakota advancing to the quarterfinals before bowing to James Madison, while Southern Illinois (6-4, 3-3) pulled off one of the biggest upsets of the FCS playoffs in stunning a then unbeaten Weber State squad, 34-31, in the first round on April 24. The Salukis then pushed SDSU to the limit before losing in the final seconds in the second round on May 2. Missouri State's share of the MVFC crown also put the Bears in the playoffs, only to fall at North Dakota in the first round.
Looking ahead to the traditional fall season, expect a similarly competitive race in the MVFC, with South Dakota State using the heartbreaking loss to Sam Houston as motivation to make a return trip to Frisco in early January. Also, don't be surprised if the Jackrabbits get challenged by the likes of Missouri State, North Dakota, North Dakota State, and Southern Illinois, among other squads.
Editor's Note: At the time this post was uploaded, there is a possibility that the 2021 college football season could be postponed or canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic. As always, follow RFC @realfootball and/or other media sources for any changes, details, or developments.
2021 (Fall) Schedules (Teams listed in alphabetical order, click the links below to access to find the schedules)
NOTE: If the link to the team's schedule is not highlighted, it means that the team has not submitted its schedule for the 2021 season. When the team's schedule is submitted, the link (s) will appear in each blog post. Also, please visit the RFC blog at realfootballcentral.blogspot.com for schedules, schedule updates, preseason previews, and much more.
Final 2021 (Spring) MVFC Football Standings
Illinois State
Indiana State
Missouri State
North Dakota
North Dakota State
Northern Iowa
South Dakota
South Dakota State
Southern Illinois
Western Illinois
Youngstown State
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