Jacks Set For 53rd Annual Beef Bowl

BROOKINGS, S.D. (GoWatertown.net) — The South Dakota State University football continues home action Saturday night by hosting Big Sky Conference opponent Southern Utah in the 53rd Annual Beef Bowl at Dana J. Dykhouse Stadium.

The Jackrabbits, who continue to hold the No. 3 spot in both the STATS FCS media poll and FCS coaches’ rankings this week, enter Saturday’s contest 2-1 overall. SDSU, which is playing at home for the third consecutive week, defeated Drake, 38-10, on Sept. 14.

Southern Utah picked up its first win of the season last week, opening its home slate with a 45-38 overtime victory over Stephen F. Austin. The Thunderbirds, 1-2 on the season, were led in their victory by running back Lance Lawson, who caught 13 passes for 131 yards and two touchdowns. Fellow running back James Felila also scored twice, including the game-winning touchdown in overtime on an 11-yard run.

Saturday’s game marks the eighth time SDSU and Southern Utah have met on the gridiron, a series that dates back to when the Jackrabbits made the move to Division I in 2004. The two programs were both members of the Great West Football Conference from 2004-07.

SDSU leads the series by a 6-1 count, winning each of the last six matchups. Southern Utah claimed the initial meeting, 23-17 in double overtime, in Cedar City, Utah, during the 2004 season.

Kickoff is slated for 6 p.m. A pre-game barbecue north of the adjacent Sanford-Jackrabbit Athletic Complex runs from 3:30 to 5:30 p.m.

The game will be televised on Midco Sports Network and also available on ESPN+.