2022 Missouri Valley Football Conference season
Sports season
The 2022 Missouri Valley Football Conference football season was the 37th season of college football play for the Missouri Valley Football Conference and part of the 2022 NCAA Division I FCS football season . This was the MVFC's 3rd straight season with 11 teams, and was the last as the conference added a 12th team for the 2023 season.[ 1]
South Dakota State and North Dakota State met in the National Championship Game after winning all three of their home playoff games. It was only the second time in FCS history and MVFC history that the final game was played between two same-conference teams, the last one pitting North Dakota State and Illinois State against each other in 2015 . The Jackrabbits would go on to win their first National Title, 45-21.[ 2]
Previous season
In 2021, North Dakota State won the conference and received the automatic bid to the 2021 playoffs. They would go on to win the FCS Championship Game to win their 9th title in 11 years.[ 3]
Besides NDSU; Southern Illinois , South Dakota , Northern Iowa , South Dakota State , and Missouri State made the playoffs. Southern Illinois and South Dakota faced off in the first round, SIU was victorious[ 4] but lost to NDSU the next week. Northern Iowa played Eastern Washington in the first round, but they lost 19-9.[ 5] SDSU beat UC Davis in the first round, beat 4th seeded Sacramento State in the second round, and 5th seeded Villanova in the quarterfinals. Their run ended in the semifinal, when the Jacks lost to 8th seeded Montana State.[ 6] Missouri State lost to UT Martin in the opening round.
Coaching changes
Western Illinois
On December 17, 2021, Myers Hendrickson was named the new head coach at Western Illinois.[ 7] Hendrickson played for the Leathernecks in his brief college career as a wide receiver from 2008-10. He replaces coach Jared Elliot who led the program since 2018.[ 8]
Preseason
Preseason Poll
The annual preseason poll; voted on by conference coaches, athletic directors, and media members.[ 9]
Predicted finish
Team
Points (1st place votes)
1
North Dakota State
446 (39)
2
South Dakota State
407 (2)
3
Missouri State
355
4
Southern Illinois
306
5
Northern Iowa
304
6
South Dakota
235
7
North Dakota
190
8
Illinois State
178
9
Youngstown State
132
10
Indiana State
109
11
Western Illinois
44
Preseason Awards
Individual awards
Award
Player
School
Position
Year
First Team Offense
Jason Shelley
Missouri State
QB
Sr.
Isaiah Davis
South Dakota State
RB
Jr.
Jaleel McLaughlin
Youngstown State
RB
Sr.
Javon Williams
Southern Illinois
RB/AP
Jr.
Hunter Luepke
North Dakota State
FB
Sr.
Avante Cox
Southern Illinois
WR
Sr.
Jaxon Janke
South Dakota State
WR
Sr.
Tyrone Scott
Missouri State
WR
Jr.
Tucker Kraft
South Dakota State
TE
Jr.
Landon Bebee
Missouri State
OL
Jr.
Garret Greenfield
South Dakota State
OL
Sr.
Cody Mauch
North Dakota State
OL
Sr.
Mason McCormick
South Dakota State
OL
Sr.
Alex Jensen
South Dakota
OL
Sr.
First Team Defense
Kevin Ellis
Missouri State
DL
Sr.
Eli Mostaert
North Dakota State
DL
Sr.
Caleb Sanders
South Dakota State
DL
Sr.
Reece Winkelman
South Dakota State
DL
Sr.
Adam Bock
South Dakota State
LB
Jr.
Spencer Cuvelier
Northern Iowa
LB
RS Sr.
Brock Mogensen
South Dakota
LB
Jr.
Zeke Vandenburgh
Illinois State
LB
Sr.
Montrae Braswell
Missouri State
DB
Jr.
PJ Jules
Southern Illinois
DB
Jr.
Kyriq McDonald
Missouri State
DB
Sr.
Benny Sapp III
Northern Iowa
DB
Sr.
Michael Tutsie
North Dakota State
DB
Sr.
First Team Special Teams
Dalton Godfrey
South Dakota
LS
Sr.
Matthew Cook
Northern Iowa
PK
Jr.
Grant Burkett
Missouri State
P
So.
Montrae Braswell
Missouri State
RS
Jr.
Carter Bell
South Dakota
AP
So.
Second Team Offense
Mark Gronowski
South Dakota State
QB
So.
Kobe Johnson
North Dakota State
RB
Sr.
Cole Mueller
Illinois State
RB
So.
Jacob Garrett
Southern Illinois
FB
Jr.
Carter Bell
South Dakota
WR
So.
Bo Belquist
North Dakota
WR
Jr.
Dante Hendrix
Indiana State
WR
RS Sr.
Noah Gindorff
North Dakota State
TE
Sr.
Drew Bones
Illinois State
OL
Sr.
Nash Jensen
North Dakota State
OL
Sr.
Erik Sorensen
Northern Iowa
OL
RS Sr.
Donny Ventrelli
North Dakota
OL
Sr.
Jaison Williams
Youngstown State
OL
So.
Second Team Defense
Braydon Deming
Illinois State
DL
Sr.
Nick Gaes
South Dakota
DL
So.
Caden Houghtelling
Northern Iowa
DL
RS Jr.
Devin Rice
Northern Iowa
OL
RS Jr.
Spencer Waege
North Dakota State
DL
Sr.
Greg Benton Jr.
Youngstown State
LB
Sr.
Bryce Flater
Northern Iowa
LB
RS Sr.
James Kaczor
North Dakota State
LB
Sr.
Devon Krzanowski
North Dakota
LB
Sr.
Clayton Bush
Southern Illinois
DB
Jr.
Korby Sander
Northern Iowa
DB
Fr.
C.J. Siegel
North Dakota
CB
Sr.
Destin Talbert
North Dakota State
DB
Sr.
Dawson Weber
North Dakota State
DB
Sr.
Second Team Special Teams
Joey Malinowski
Illinois State
LS
Jr.
Jose Pizano
Missouri State
PK
Jr.
Cade Peterson
North Dakota
P
Sr.
Jayden Price
North Dakota State
RS
Sr.
Quan Hampton
Northern Iowa
AP/WR
Sr.
Rankings
Legend
Improvement in ranking
Drop in ranking
Not ranked previous week
No change in ranking from previous week
RV
Received votes but were not ranked in Top 25 of poll
ั
Tied with team above or below also with this symbol
Pre
Wk 1
Wk 2
Wk 3
Wk 4
Wk 5
Wk 6
Wk 7
Wk 8
Wk 9
Wk 10
Wk 11
Wk 12
Final
Illinois State
STATS Perform
RV
RV
RV
AFCA Coaches
RV
RV
RV
RV
Indiana State
STATS Perform
AFCA Coaches
Missouri State
STATS Perform
5
5
5
6
7
20
RV
RV
AFCA Coaches
8
7
4ั
9
19
RV
RV
North Dakota
STATS Perform
RV
22
19
RV
22
20
20
23
21
19
16
20
20
AFCA Coaches
RV
RV
RV
RV
RV
RV
RV
RV
RV
RV
23
24ั
RV
North Dakota State
STATS Perform
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
4
4
4
4
4
4
2
AFCA Coaches
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
4
4
4
4
4
4
2
Northern Iowa
STATS Perform
21
24
RV
RV
AFCA Coaches
21
24
RV
South Dakota
STATS Perform
RV
RV
RV
AFCA Coaches
RV
RV
South Dakota State
STATS Perform
2
2
2
2ั
2
2
2
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
AFCA Coaches
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
Southern Illinois
STATS Perform
9
17
RV
24
19
17
16
14
20
RV
RV
AFCA Coaches
9
19
RV
RV
RV
24
19
17
24
RV
RV
Western Illinois
STATS Perform
AFCA Coaches
Youngstown State
STATS Perform
RV
RV
RV
RV
RV
RV
AFCA Coaches
RV
23
25ั
RV
RV
RV
RV
RV
Schedule
Index to colors and formatting
MVFC member won
MVFC member lost
MVFC teams in bold
All times Central time.
โ denotes Homecoming game
^ denotes AP Poll ranking for FBS teams
Regular season schedule
Week 1
Date
Time
Visiting team
Home team
Site
TV
Result
Attendance
Ref.
September 1
5:00 p.m.
North Alabama
Indiana State
Memorial Stadium โข Terre Haute, IN
ESPN+
W 17โ14 OT
4,851
[1]
September 1
6:30 p.m.
Western Illinois
UT Martin
Hardy M. Graham Stadium โข Martin, TN
ESPN+
L 25โ42
5,127
[2]
September 1
7:00 p.m.
No. 5 Missouri State
Central Arkansas
Estes Stadium โข Conway, AR
ESPN+
W 27โ14
10,277
[3]
September 3
11:00 a.m.
No. 2 South Dakota State
Iowa
Kinnick Stadium โข Iowa City, IA
FS1
L 3โ7
69,250
[4]
September 3
12:00 p.m.
No. 21 Northern Iowa
Air Force
Falcon Stadium โข Colorado Springs, CO
L 17โ48
31,180
[5]
September 3
1:00 p.m.
Duquesne
Youngstown State
Stambaugh Stadium โข Youngstown, OH
ESPN+
W 31โ14
9,835
[6]
September 3
2:30 p.m.
North Dakota
Nebraska
Memorial Stadium โข Lincoln, NE
BTN
L 17โ38
86,590
[7]
September 3
2:30 p.m.
Drake
No. 1 North Dakota State
Fargodome โข Fargo, ND
ESPN+
W 56โ14
15,951
[8]
September 3
6:00 p.m.
South Dakota
Kansas State
Bill Snyder Family Stadium โข Manhattan, KS
Big 12 on ESPN+
L 0โ34
50,469
[9]
September 3
6:00 p.m.
No. 9 Southern Illinois
Incarnate Word
Gayle and Tom Benson Stadium โข San Antonio, TX
ESPN+
L 29โ64
2,656
[10]
September 3
6:00 p.m.
Illinois State
No. 18^ Wisconsin
Camp Randall Stadium โข Madison, WI
FS1
L 0โ38
73,727
[11]
# Rankings from Stats Perform . All times are in Central Time .
Week 2
Date
Time
Visiting team
Home team
Site
TV
Result
Attendance
Ref.
September 8
7:00 p.m.
UT Martin
No. 5 Missouri State
Robert W. Plaster Stadium โข Springfield, MO
ESPN+
W 35โ30
9,872
[12]
September 10
11:00 a.m.
Western Illinois
Minnesota
Huntington Bank Stadium โข Minneapolis, MN
BTN
L 10โ62
43,859
[13]
September 10
1:00 p.m.
Dayton
Youngstown State
Stambaugh Stadium โข Youngstown, OH
ESPN+
W 49โ16
13,597
[14]
September 10
2:30 p.m.
South Dakota
No. 3 Montana
Washington-Grizzly Stadium โข Missoula, MT
ESPN+
L 7โ24
24,404
[15]
September 10
2:30 p.m.
North Carolina A&T
No. 1 North Dakota State
Fargodome โข Fargo, ND
ESPN+
W 43โ3
16,269
[16]
September 10
3:00 p.m.
Indiana State
Purdue
Ross-Ade Stadium โข West Lafayette, IN
BTN
L 0โ56
53,676
[17]
September 10
3:00 p.m.
No. 24 Northern Iowa
No. RV North Dakota
Alerus Center โข Grand Forks, ND
ESPN+
UND 29โ27
9,940
[18]
September 10
6:00 p.m.
UC Davis
No. 2 South Dakota State
Dana J. Dykhouse Stadium โข Brookings, SD
ESPN+
W 24โ22
15,182
[19]
September 10
6:00 p.m.
Southeast Missouri State
No. 17 Southern Illinois
Saluki Stadium โข Carbondale, IL
ESPN3
L 31โ34
8,662
[20]
September 10
6:30 p.m.
Valparaiso
Illinois State
Hancock Stadium โข Normal, IL
ESPN+
W 28โ21
6,937
[21]
# Rankings from Stats Perform . All times are in Central Time .
Week 3
Date
Time
Visiting team
Home team
Site
TV
Result
Attendance
Ref.
September 17
11:00 a.m.
No. RV Youngstown State
No. 9^ Kentucky
Kroger Field โข Lexington, KY
SECN
L 0โ31
59,308
[22]
September 17
6:00 p.m.
No. 5 Missouri State
No. 10^ Arkansas
Razorback Stadium โข Fayetteville, AR
SEC+ /ESPN+
L 17โ38
74,133
[23]
September 17
11:00 a.m.
No. RV Southern Illinois
Northwestern
Ryan Field โข Evanston, IL
BTN
W 31โ24
23,146
[24]
September 17
12:00 p.m.
No. 2 Montana
Indiana State
Memorial Stadium โข Terre Haute, IN
ESPN+
L 14โ49
5,929
[25]
September 17
1:00 p.m.
Cal Poly
No. RV South Dakota โ
DakotaDome โข Vermillion, SD
ESPN+
W 38โ21
6,812
[26]
September 17
3:00 p.m.
No. 22 North Dakota
Northern Arizona
J. Lawrence Walkup Skydome โข Flagstaff, AZ
ESPN+
W 27โ24
7,841
[27]
September 17
3:00 p.m.
Southern Utah
Western Illinois
Hanson Field โข Macomb, IL
ESPN+
L 10โ17
5,024
[28]
September 17
4:00 p.m.
No. 7 Sacramento State
No. RV Northern Iowa
UNI-Dome โข Cedar Falls, IA
ESPN+
L 21โ37
8,818
[29]
September 17
6:00 p.m.
Butler
No. 2 South Dakota State
Dana J. Dykhouse Stadium โข Brookings, SD
ESPN+
W 45โ17
16,414
[30]
September 17
6:30 p.m.
Eastern Illinois
Illinois State
Hancock Stadium โข Normal, IL
ESPN+
W 35โ7
8,208
[31]
September 17
8:00 p.m.
No. 1 North Dakota State
Arizona
Arizona Stadium โข Tucson, AZ
FS1
L 28โ31
41,211
[32]
# Rankings from Stats Perform . All times are in Central Time .
Week 4
Week 5
Date
Time
Visiting team
Home team
Site
TV
Result
Attendance
Ref.
October 1
12:00 p.m.
No. 7 Missouri State
No. RV North Dakota โ
Alerus Center โข Grand Forks, ND
ESPN+
UND 48โ31
10,020
[37]
October 1
1:00 p.m.
No. RV Youngstown State
No. 1 North Dakota State โ
Fargodome โข Fargo, ND
ESPN+
NDSU 27โ14
18,055
[38]
October 1
2:00 p.m.
Western Illinois
No. 2 South Dakota State โ
Dana J. Dykhouse Stadium โข Brookings, SD
ESPN+
SDSU 34โ10
15,237
[39]
October 1
4:00 p.m.
Indiana State
Northern Iowa
UNI-Dome โข Cedar Falls, IA
ESPN+
UNI 20โ14
6,830
[40]
October 1
6:30 p.m.
No. 19 Southern Illinois
Illinois State
Hancock Stadium โข Normal, IL
ESPN+
SIU 19โ14
11,127
[41]
# Rankings from Stats Perform . All times are in Central Time .
Week 6
Date
Time
Visiting team
Home team
Site
TV
Result
Attendance
Ref.
October 8
12:00 p.m.
No. 1 North Dakota State
Indiana State
Memorial Stadium โข Terre Haute, IN
ESPN+
NDSU 31โ26
4,185
[42]
October 8
2:00 p.m.
No. 17 Southern Illinois
No. 20 Missouri State
Robert W. Plaster Stadium โข Springfield, MO
ESPN+
SIU 38โ21
7,061
[43]
October 8
2:00 p.m.
No. RV South Dakota
No. 2 South Dakota State
Dana J. Dykhouse Stadium โข Brookings, SD (Battle for South Dakota)
ESPN+
SDSU 28โ3
19,332
[44]
October 8
4:00 p.m.
Illinois State
Northern Iowa โ
UNI-Dome โข Cedar Falls, IA
ESPN+
ILL ST 23โ21
9,306
[45]
October 8
5:00 p.m.
No. 22 North Dakota
Youngstown State
Stambaugh Stadium โข Youngstown, OH
ESPN+
UND 35โ30
11,009
[46]
# Rankings from Stats Perform . All times are in Central Time .
Week 7
Date
Time
Visiting team
Home team
Site
TV
Result
Attendance
Ref.
October 15
1:00 p.m.
Indiana State
Youngstown State โ
Stambaugh Stadium โข Youngstown, OH
ESPN+
YSU 48โ42
9,326
[47]
October 15
2:00 p.m.
South Dakota
No. RV Illinois State โ
Hancock Stadium โข Normal, IL
ESPN3
ILL ST 12โ10
9,302
[48]
October 15
2:00 p.m.
Western Illinois
No. 16 Southern Illinois โ
Saluki Stadium โข Carbondale, IL
ESPN+
SIU 30โ7
10,118
[49]
October 15
2:30 p.m.
No. 2 South Dakota State
No. 1 North Dakota State
Fargodome โข Fargo, ND (Dakota Marker )
ESPN+
SDSU 23โ21
18,603
[50]
October 15
4:00 p.m.
Utah Tech
Northern Iowa
UNI-Dome โข Cedar Falls, IA
ESPN+
W 41โ14
6,942
[51]
# Rankings from Stats Perform . All times are in Central Time .
Week 8
Date
Time
Visiting team
Home team
Site
TV
Result
Attendance
Ref.
October 22
12:00 p.m.
No. RV Illinois State
Indiana State โ
Memorial Stadium โข Terre Haute, IN
ESPN3
ILL ST 27โ21
5,182
[52]
October 22
2:00 p.m.
No. 14 Southern Illinois
South Dakota
DakotaDome โข Vermillion, SD
ESPN+
USD 27โ24
7,599
[53]
October 22
3:00 p.m.
No. 1 South Dakota State
No. 20 North Dakota
Alerus Center โข Grand Forks, ND
ESPN+
SDSU 49โ35
11,067
[54]
October 22
3:00 p.m.
Youngstown State
Western Illinois โ
Hanson Field โข Macomb, IL
ESPN+
YSU 28โ27
7,217
[55]
October 22
4:00 p.m.
No. RV Missouri State
Northern Iowa
UNI-Dome โข Cedar Falls, IA
ESPN+
UNI 41โ20
8,809
[56]
# Rankings from Stats Perform . All times are in Central Time .
Week 9
Date
Time
Visiting team
Home team
Site
TV
Result
Attendance
Ref.
October 29
1:00 p.m.
South Dakota
Youngstown State
Stambaugh Stadium โข Youngstown, OH
ESPN+
YSU 45โ24
9,240
[57]
October 29
2:00 p.m.
Indiana State
No. 1 South Dakota State
Dana J. Dykhouse Stadium โข Brookings, SD
ESPN+
SDSU 49โ7
19,041
[58]
October 29
2:00 p.m.
Western Illinois
Missouri State โ
Robert W. Plaster Stadium โข Springfield, MO
ESPN+
MO ST 64โ14
10,712
[59]
October 29
2:00 p.m.
Northern Iowa
No. 20 Southern Illinois
Saluki Stadium โข Carbondale, IL
ESPN3
UNI 37โ36
6,155
[60]
October 29
2:30 p.m.
No. RV Illinois State
No. 4 North Dakota State
Fargodome โข Fargo, ND
ESPN+
NDSU 24โ7
16,172
[61]
October 29
3:00 p.m.
Abilene Christian
No. 23 North Dakota
Alerus Center โข Grand Forks, ND
ESPN+
W 34โ31
8,355
[62]
# Rankings from Stats Perform . All times are in Central Time .
Week 10
Date
Time
Visiting team
Home team
Site
TV
Result
Attendance
Ref.
November 5
12:00 p.m.
No. 21 North Dakota
Indiana State
Memorial Stadium โข Terre Haute, IN
ESPN+
UND 42โ7
2,534
[63]
November 5
1:00 p.m.
Missouri State
South Dakota
DakotaDome โข Vermillion, SD
ESPN3
USD 20โ13
5,341
[64]
November 5
1:00 p.m.
No. 4 North Dakota State
Western Illinois
Hanson Field โข Macomb, IL
ESPN+
NDSU 56โ17
2,534
[65]
November 5
2:00 p.m.
Youngstown State
Illinois State
Hancock Stadium โข Normal, IL
ESPN+
YSU 19โ17
4,989
[66]
November 5
4:00 p.m.
No. 1 South Dakota State
No. RV Northern Iowa
UNI-Dome โข Cedar Falls, IA
ESPN+
SDSU 31โ28
9,449
[67]
# Rankings from Stats Perform . All times are in Central Time .
Week 11
Date
Time
Visiting team
Home team
Site
TV
Result
Attendance
Ref.
November 12
12:00 p.m.
South Dakota
No. 19 North Dakota
Alerus Center โข Grand Forks, ND
ESPN+
UND 28โ19
9,516
[68]
November 12
1:00 p.m.
Indiana State
Western Illinois
Hanson Field โข Macomb, IL
ESPN+
IND ST 21โ0
2,661
[69]
November 12
1:00 p.m.
No. 4 North Dakota State
No. RV Southern Illinois
Saluki Stadium โข Carbondale, IL
ESPN+
NDSU 21โ18
4,575
[70]
November 12
2:00 p.m.
Illinois State
No. 1 South Dakota State
Dana J. Dykhouse Stadium โข Brookings, SD
ESPN+
SDSU 31โ7
8,160
[71]
November 12
2:00 p.m.
No. RV Youngstown State
Missouri State
Robert W. Plaster Stadium โข Springfield, MO
ESPN3
MO ST 25โ22
5,148
[72]
# Rankings from Stats Perform . All times are in Central Time .
Week 12
Date
Time
Visiting team
Home team
Site
TV
Result
Attendance
Ref.
November 19
11:00 a.m.
Western Illinois
Illinois State
Hancock Stadium โข Normal, IL
ESPN+
ILL ST 20โ13 OT
2,579
[73]
November 19
11:00 a.m.
Southern Illinois
Youngstown State
Stambaugh Stadium โข Youngstown, OH
ESPN3
YSU 28โ21
7,381
[74]
November 19
12:00 p.m.
Missouri State
Indiana State
Memorial Stadium โข Terre Haute, IN
ESPN+
MO ST 24โ7
2,575
[75]
November 19
1:00 p.m.
Northern Iowa
South Dakota
DakotaDome โข Vermillion, SD
ESPN+
UNI 58โ14
5,490
[76]
November 19
2:30 p.m.
No. 16 North Dakota
No. 4 North Dakota State
Fargodome โข Fargo, ND (Nickel Trophy )
ESPN+
NDSU 42โ21
18,806
[77]
# Rankings from Stats Perform . All times are in Central Time .
Postseason
In 2022, three teams made the FCS Playoffs. South Dakota State (No. 1) and North Dakota State (No. 3) both received byes, while North Dakota was unseeded and played in the opening round. Below are the games in which they played.[ 10]
Index to colors and formatting
MVFC member won
MVFC member lost
MVFC teams in bold
All times Central time.
Tournament seedings in parentheses
First round
Second round
Quarterfinals
Semifinals
National Championship
MVFC records vs other conferences
2022-23 records against non-conference foes (through December 17, 2022):
Source:[ 11]
Awards and honors
Player of the week honors
Week
Offensive
Defensive
Special Teams
Freshman
Player
Position
Team
Player
Position
Team
Player
Position
Team
Player
Position
Team
Week 1 (Sept. 4) [ 12]
Jaleel McLaughlin
RB
YSU
Adam Bock
LB
SDSU
Ryan O'Grady
PK
IN ST
Naseim Brantley
WR
WIU
Ryan Cole
S
IN ST
Montrae Braswell
CB/RS
MO ST
Week 2 (Sept. 11) [ 13]
Jason Shelley
QB
MO ST
Zeke Vandenburgh
LB
ILL ST
Jalen Carr
KR
ILL ST
Jacardia Wright
RB
MO ST
Week 3 (Sept. 18) [ 14]
Nic Baker
QB
SIU
Zeke Vandenburgh
LB
ILL ST
Cade Peterson
P
UND
Zack Annexstad
QB
ILL ST
Jason Shelley
QB
MO ST
Week 4 (Sept. 25) [ 15]
Mark Gronowski
QB
SDSU
Woo Governor
DB
UNI
Griffin Crosa
K
NDSU
Dillon Thomas
S
MO ST
Week 5 (Oct. 2) [ 16]
Isaiah Davis
RB
SDSU
Zeke Vandenburgh
LB
ILL ST
Brady Stevens
PK
UND
D'Ante' Cox
WR
SIU
Week 6 (Oct. 9) [ 17]
Javon Williams Jr.
AP
SIU
Rylan Cole
S
IN ST
Will Mostaert
DT
NDSU
Cole Davis
DB
UND
Ian Wagner
PK
ILL ST
Week 7 (Oct. 16) [ 18]
Nic Baker
QB
SIU
Stephen Hillis
LB
USD
Hunter Dustman
K/P
SDSU
Cade Chambers
QB
IN ST
Week 8 (Oct. 23) [ 19]
Mark Gronowski
QB
SDSU
Cameron Tisdale
CB
USD
Colt McFadden
PK
YSU
Zack Annexstad
QB
ILL ST
Dom Williams
RB
UNI
Week 9 (Oct. 13) [ 20]
Nic Baker
QB
SIU
Dylan Wudke
DE
YSU
Jose Pizano
PK
MO ST
Desmond Hutson
WR
UNI
Week 10 (Nov. 7) [ 21]
TaMerik Williams
RB
NDSU
Alex Howard
LB
YSU
Hunter Dustman
K/P
SDSU
Aidan Bouman
QB
USD
Week 11 (Nov. 14) [ 22]
Jaleel McLaughlin
RB
YSU
James Kaczor
LB
NDSU
Montrae Braswell
CB/RS
MO ST
Malachi McNeal
LB
UND
Tommy Schuster
QB
UND
Week 12 (Nov. 21) [ 23]
Cam Miller
QB
NDSU
Zeke Vandenburg
LB
ILL ST
DJ Hart
WR/RS
NDSU
Garret Ollendieck
LB
IN ST
Theo Day
QB
UNI
In Week 12, an Offensive Lineman was also named to the player of the week honors, Nash Jensen of North Dakota State.
Players of the Year
On November 28, 2022, the Missouri Valley Football Conference released their Players of the Year and All-Conference Honors.[ 24]
Offensive Player of the Year
Defensive Player of the Year
Newcomer of the Year
Freshman of the Year
Coach of the Year
All-Conference Teams
Award
Player
School
Position
Year
First Team Offense
Theo Day
Northern Iowa
QB
RS Jr.
Isaiah Davis
South Dakota State
RB
Jr.
Jaleel McLaughlin
Youngstown State
RB
Sr.
Hunter Luepke
North Dakota State
FB
Sr.
Naseim Brantley
Western Illinois
WR
Jr.
Dante Hendrix
Indiana State
WR
RS Sr.
Bryce Oliver
Youngstown State
WR
Jr.
Tucker Kraft
South Dakota State
TE
Jr.
Drew Bones
Illinois State
OL
Sr.
Garret Greenfield
South Dakota State
OL
Sr.
Nash Jensen
North Dakota State
OL
Sr.
Cody Mauch
North Dakota State
OL
Sr.
Mason McCormick
South Dakota State
OL
Sr.
Hunter Luepke
North Dakota State
AP
Sr.
First Team Defense
Richie Hagarty
Southern Illinois
DL
So.
Caleb Sanders
South Dakota State
DL
Sr.
Spencer Waege
North Dakota State
DL
Sr.
Reece Winkelman
South Dakota State
DL
Sr.
Adam Bock
South Dakota State
LB
Jr.
Stephen Hillis
South Dakota
LB
Jr.
James Kaczor
North Dakota State
LB
Sr.
Zeke Vandenburg
Illinois State
LB
Sr.
Montrae Braswell
Missouri State
DB
Jr.
Dyshawn Gales
South Dakota State
DB
Sr.
Benny Sapp III
Northern Iowa
DB
Sr.
Michael Tutsie
North Dakota State
DB
Sr.
Dawson Weber
North Dakota State
DB
Sr.
First Team Special Teams
Grant Burkett
Missouri State
P
So.
Matthew Cook
Northern Iowa
PK
Jr.
Dalton Godfrey
South Dakota
DS
Sr.
Montrae Braswell
Missouri State
RS
Jr.
Award
Player
School
Position
Year
Second Team Offense
Mark Gronowski
South Dakota State
QB
So.
Justin Dinka
Indiana State
RB
RS So.
Tyler Hoosman
North Dakota
RB
Jr.
Jacob Garrett
Southern Illinois
FB
Jr.
Bo Belquist
North Dakota
WR
Jr.
Avante Cox
Southern Illinois
WR
Sr.
Jaxon Janke
South Dakota State
WR
Sr.
Zach Heins
South Dakota State
TE
Sr
Landon Bebee
Missouri State
OL
Jr.
Alex Jensen
South Dakota
OL
Sr.
Mike McAllister
Youngstown State
OL
Sr.
Erik Sorenson
Northern Iowa
OL
RS Sr.
Donny Ventrelli
North Dakota
OL
Sr.
Javon Williams Jr.
Southern Illinois
AP
Jr.
Second Team Defense
Khristian Boyd
Northern Iowa
DL
RS Jr.
Kevin Ellis
Missouri State
DL
Sr.
Ben McNaboe
North Dakota
DL
Jr.
Dylan Wudke
Youngstown State
DL
So.
Branson Combs
Southern Illinois
LB
So.
Spencer Cuvelier
Northern Iowa
LB
RS Sr.
Ferrin Manuleleua
Missouri State
LB
Sr.
Brock Mogensen
South Dakota
LB
Jr.
Korby Sander
Northern Iowa
LB
GS
Rylan Cole
Indiana State
DB
So.
Woo Governor
Northern Iowa
DB
Jr.
Myles Harden
South Dakota
DB
So.
PJ Jules
Southern Illinois
DB
Jr.
C.J. Siegel
North Dakota
DB
Sr.
Second Team Special Teams
John Bickle
South Dakota
P
Sr.
Colt McFadden
Youngstown State
PK
Sr.
Hunter Brozio
North Dakota State
DS
Jr.
Jadon Janke
South Dakota State
RS
Sr.
All-Newcomer Team
Award
Player
School
Position
Year
All-Newcomer Team Offense
Zack Annexstad
Illinois State
QB
Jr.
Aidan Bouman
South Dakota
QB
RS Fr.
Naseim Brantley
Western Illinois
WR
Jr.
Brayden Bryant
North Dakota
OL
So.
Cade Chambers
Indiana State
QB
RS Fr.
D'Ante' Cox
Southern Illinois
WR
Sr.
Desmond Hutson
Northern Iowa
WR
RS Fr.
Shomari Lawrence
South Dakota
RB
RS Fr.
John O'Brian
South Dakota State
OL
Jr.
Max Tomczak
Youngstown State
WR
RS Fr.
Jacardia Wright
Missouri State
RB
So.
Wenkers Wright
Illinois State
RB
RS Fr.
All-Newcomer Defense
Cordarrius Bailey
Northern Iowa
DE
RS Sr.
John Bickle
South Dakota
P
Sr.
Jaxon Duttenhefer
North Dakota State
DT
RS Fr.
Jason Freeman
South Dakota State
LB
Jr.
Chris Harris
Southern Illinois
LB
Sr.
Logan Kopp
North Dakota State
LB
RS Fr.
Deandre Lamont
Illinois State
DB
Sr.
Tucker Large
South Dakota State
S/LB
RS Fr.
Kole Menz
North Dakota State
DE
RS Fr.
Edmund Ocansey
North Dakota
DB
RS Fr.
Garret Ollendieck
Indiana State
LB
So.
Noah Pettinger
Northern Iowa
P
Fr.
Michael Scott
South Dakota
DE
Sr.
Source:[ 25]
National Awards
On December 5, 2022, STATS Perform released their list of finalists for the Walter Payton Award, Buck Buchanan Award, and the Jerry Rice Award, respectively.[ 26]
Walter Payton Award
The Walter Payton Award is given to the best FCS offensive player. Here are the MVFC finalists:[ 27]
Buck Buchanan Award
The Buck Buchanan Award is given to the best FCS defensive player. The MVFCโs own Zeke Vandenburg (LB - Illinois State ) won the award,[ 28] and was honored at the National Championship game in January. Here are the other MVFC finalists:
Jerry Rice Award
The Jerry Rice Award is given to the best FCS freshman player. Here are the MVFC finalists:
All-Americans
AP 1st Team
AP 2nd Team
AP 3rd Team
AFCA[ 29] 1st Team
AFCA 2nd Team
STATS[ 30] 1st Team
STATS 2nd Team
STATS 3rd Team
ADA[ 31]
HERO[ 32]
Benny Sapp III , DB, Northern Iowa
Y
Y
Y
Caleb Sanders, DL, South Dakota State
Y
Y
Y
Y
Cody Mauch , OL, North Dakota State
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Garret Greenfield , OL, South Dakota State
Y
Y
Y
Hunter Luepke , FB, North Dakota State
Y
Y
Y
Jaleel McLaughlin , RB, Youngstown State
Y
Y
Y
Y
Matthew Cook, PK, Northern Iowa
Y
Y
Y
Y
Mason McCormick , OL, South Dakota State
Y
Y
Y
Y
Michael Tutsie , DB, North Dakota State
Y
Y
Nash Jensen , OL, North Dakota State
Y
Y
Y
Spencer Waege, DE, North Dakota State
Y
Y
Y
Y
Tucker Kraft , TE, South Dakota State
Y
Y
Zeke Vandenburgh , LB, Illinois State
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Home attendance
Team
Stadium
Capacity
Game 1
Game 2
Game 3
Game 4
Game 5
Game 6
Game 7
Game 8
Game 9
Total
Average
% of Capacity
Illinois State
Hancock Stadium
13,391
6,937
8,208
11,127โ
9,302
4,989
2,579
43,142
7,190
53.7%
Indiana State
Memorial Stadium
12,764
4,851
5,929โ
4,185
5,182
2,534
2,575
25,256
4,209
32.9%
Missouri State
Robert W. Plaster Stadium
17,500
9,872
13,189โ
7,064
10,712
5,148
45,985
9,197
52.5%
North Dakota
Alerus Center
12,283
9,940
10,020
11,067โ
8,355
9,516
48,898
9,779
79.6%
North Dakota State
Fargodome
18,700
15,951
16,269
18,055
18,603
16,172
18,806 โ
12,929โก
11,825โก
12,569โก
141,179
15,686
83.9%
Northern Iowa
UNI-Dome
16,324
8,818
6,830
9,306
6,942
8,809
9,449โ
50,154
8,359
51.2%
South Dakota
DakotaDome
9,100
6,812
6,530
7,599โ
5,341
5,490
31,772
6,354
69.8%
South Dakota State
Dana J. Dykhouse Stadium
19,340
15,182
16,414
15,237
19,332โ
19,041
8,160
6,117โก
6,549โก
7,195โก
113,227
12,580
65.1%
Southern Illinois
Saluki Stadium
15,000
8,662
8,053
10,118โ
6,155
4,575
37,563
7,512
50.0%
Western Illinois
Hanson Field
17,128
5,024โ
4,500
4,973
2,534
2,661
19,692
3,938
23.0%
Youngstown State
Stambaugh Stadium
20,630
9,835
13,597โ
11,009
9,326
9,240
7,381
60,388
10,064
48.8%
Bold - Exceed capacity
โ Season High
โกFCS Playoff Game
2023 NFL Draft
The following list includes all MVFC players who were drafted in the 2023 NFL draft .
Undrafted Free Agents
Source:[ 33] [ 34]
Head coaches
Through January 10, 2023
Team
Head coach
Years at school
Overall record
Record at school
MVFC record
MVFC titles
FCS Playoff appearances
FCS Playoff record
National Titles
Illinois State
Brock Spack
14
95โ66 (.590)
95โ66 (.590)
60โ48 (.556)
2
5
7โ5 (.583)
0
Indiana State
Curt Mallory
5
19โ37 (.339)
19โ37 (.339)
12โ28 (.300)
0
0
0โ0 (โ)
0
Missouri State
Bobby Petrino [ a]
3
137โ71 (.659)
18โ15 (.545)
14โ8 (.636)
1
2
0โ2 (.000)
0
North Dakota
Bubba Schweigert [ b]
9
76โ66 (.535)
54โ45 (.545)
12โ9 (.571)
0
4
1โ4 (.200)
0
North Dakota State
Matt Entz
4
49โ7 (.875)
49โ7 (.875)
27โ4 (.871)
2
4
9โ2 (.818)
2
Northern Iowa
Mark Farley
22
174โ98 (.640)
174โ98 (.640)
111โ56 (.665)
7
13
16โ13 (.552)
0
South Dakota
Bob Nielson [ c]
7
218โ122โ1 (.641)
32โ34 (.485)
22โ30 (.423)
0
2
1โ2 (.333)
2
South Dakota State
John Stiegelmeier [ d]
26
198โ112 (.639)
198โ112 (.639)
84โ34 (.712)
3
12
18โ11 (.621)
1
Southern Illinois
Nick Hill
7
34โ39 (.466)
34โ39 (.466)
20โ28 (.417)
0
2
2โ2 (.500)
0
Western Illinois
Myers Hendrickson [ e]
1
0โ11 (.000)
0โ11 (.000)
0โ8 (.000)
0
0
0โ0 (โ)
0
Youngstown State
Doug Phillips
3
11โ17 (.393)
11โ17 (.393)
8โ15 (.348)
0
0
0โ0 (โ)
0
^ Bobby Petrino coached in the FBS from 2003-06 and 2015-18 for Louisville , 2008-11 for Arkansas , as well as in 2013 for Western Kentucky .
^ Bubba Schweigert coached Minnesota Duluth of NCAA Division II from 2004-07. He also coached North Dakota while they were a part of the Big Sky Conference from 2014-17 and were independents in 2018 and 2019.
^ Bob Nielson coached Western Illinois from 2013-15, which included a run in the playoffs that ended in the second round. Nielson also coached Minnesota-Duluth from 1999-2003 and 2008-12, that second stint included five consecutive NCAA Division II playoff appearances highlighted by 2 National Titles. In the first stint at MN-Duluth included his first Division II playoff appearance. Nielson also coached Wisconsin-Eau Claire from 1996-98 that included one NCAA Division III playoff run that ended in the semifinals. Before that, he coached Wartburg from 1991-95, which included two Division III playoff runs as well. His first head coaching job was at Ripon from 1989-90.
^ John Stiegelmeier has coached South Dakota State since 1997, when the school was still part of NCAA Division II . While in Division II, the school did not achieve any playoff appearances.
^ Myers Hendrickson previously coached at Kansas Wesleyan of the NAIA from 2019-21, and helped the Coyotes to two NAIA playoff appearances.
References
^ "Missouri Valley Football Conference adds Murray State Racers" . argusleader.com . Sioux Falls Argus Leader. April 4, 2022. Retrieved February 20, 2023 .
^ "North Dakota State Bison vs South Dakota State Jackrabbits" . ESPN . January 8, 2023. Retrieved January 10, 2023 .
^ "NDSU wins 9th FCS title in 11 years 38-10 over Montana State" . apnews.com . Associated Press. January 8, 2022. Retrieved February 20, 2023 .
^ "Cox, Southern Illinois knock off S. Dakota in FCS playoffs" . cbssports.com . CBS Sports. November 27, 2021. Retrieved February 20, 2023 .
^ "EWU advances in the FCS playoffs with 19-9 win over UNI" . krem.com . CBS KREM. November 27, 2021. Retrieved February 20, 2023 .
^ "South Dakota State University's football playoff run ends at Montana State" . argusleader.com . Sioux Falls Argus Leader. December 18, 2021. Retrieved February 20, 2023 .
^ "Returning Home: Myers Hendrickson Named Head Football Coach at WIU" . Western Illinois Athletics . December 17, 2022. Retrieved November 21, 2022 .
^ "WIU Football Program Update" . Western Illinois Athletics . November 9, 2022. Retrieved November 21, 2022 .
^ "2022 Missouri Valley Football Preseason Team & Poll" . Missouri Valley Football Conference . Retrieved November 18, 2022 .
^ "2022 Division I FCS Football Official Bracket" . ncaa.com . Retrieved November 20, 2022 .
^ "2022 Valley Football Schedule" . Missouri Valley Football Conference . Retrieved November 20, 2022 .
^ "Valley Football - Players of the Week (Sept. 4)" . valley-football.org . Missouri Valley Football Conference. Retrieved November 21, 2022 .
^ "Missouri Valley Football - Players of the Week" . valley-football.org . Missouri Valley Football Conference. September 11, 2022. Retrieved November 21, 2022 .
^ "Missouri Valley Football - Players of the Week" . valley-football.org . Missouri Valley Football Conference. September 18, 2022. Retrieved November 21, 2022 .
^ "Missouri Valley Football - Players of the Week (S25)" . valley-football.org . Missouri Valley Football Confernece. September 25, 2022. Retrieved November 21, 2022 .
^ "Valley Football - Players of the Week (Oct. 2)" . valley-football.org . Missouri Valley Football Conference. October 2, 2022. Retrieved November 21, 2022 .
^ "Missouri Valley Football - Players of the Week (O9)" . valley-football.org . Missouri Valley Football Conference. October 9, 2022. Retrieved November 21, 2022 .
^ "Valley Football - Players of the Week (Oct. 16)" . valley-football.org . The Summit League. October 16, 2022. Retrieved November 21, 2022 .
^ "Valley Football - Players of the Week (Oct. 23)" . valley-football.org . Missouri Valley Football Conference. October 23, 2022. Retrieved November 21, 2022 .
^ "Valley Football - Players of the Week (Oct. 30)" . valley-football.org . Missouri Valley Football Conference. October 30, 2022. Retrieved November 21, 2022 .
^ "Valley Football - Players of the Week (Nov. 7)" . valley-football.org . Missouri Valley Football Conference. November 7, 2022. Retrieved November 21, 2022 .
^ "Valley Football - Players of the Week (Nov. 14)" . valley-football.org . Missouri Valley Football Conference. November 14, 2022. Retrieved November 21, 2022 .
^ "Valley Football - Players of the Week (Nov. 21)" . valley-football.org . Missouri Valley Football Conference. November 21, 2022. Retrieved November 21, 2022 .
^ "2022 Missouri Valley Football All-Conference Teams" . valley-football.org . Missouri Valley Football Conference. November 28, 2022. Retrieved November 28, 2022 .
^ "2022 Missouri Valley Football All-Newcomer Team" . valley-football.org . Missouri Valley Football Conference. November 29, 2022. Retrieved November 29, 2022 .
^ "Every Finalist for the Walter Payton, Buck Buchanan, and Jerry Rice Awards" . NCAA. December 5, 2022. Retrieved December 5, 2022 .
^ "Standout Trio Invited to Walter Payton Announcement" . theanalyst.com . STATS Perform. December 5, 2022. Retrieved December 5, 2022 .
^ "The top moments from Buck Buchanan Award winner Zeke Vandenburg's 2022 season at Illinois State" . NCAA . January 8, 2023. Retrieved January 25, 2023 .
^ "AFCA announces 2022 FCS Coaches' All-America Teams" . ncaa.com . NCAA. December 22, 2022. Retrieved January 10, 2023 .
^ "Talent Runs Deep Across 2022 Stats Perform FCS All-America, Freshman Teams" . theanalyst.com . STATS Perform. December 20, 2022. Retrieved January 10, 2023 .
^ "FCS ADA Announces 2022 All-American Team" . nacda.com . FCS ADA. December 19, 2022.
^ "2022 HERO Sports All-FCS All-American Team" . December 8, 2022 . Retrieved January 10, 2023 .
^ "NFL UDFA Tracker 2023: Undrafted Free Agent Signings Following the 2023 NFL Draft" . profootballnetwork.com . Pro Football Network. April 29, 2023. Retrieved April 29, 2023 .
^ "2023 UDFA Tracker" . pff.com . Pro Football Focus. May 3, 2023. Retrieved May 6, 2023 .
Teams Championships & awards Seasons