South Dakota (7-4) at Nicholls (8-3)
GAME INFO:
When: Saturday, Nov. 25, 4 p.m. ET
Where: Thibodaux, Louisiana
TV: ESPN3
Nicholls will host this first-round game after finishing third in the Southland conference behind Central Arkansas and Sam Houston State. The Colonels have losses to Sam Houston State and Southeastern Louisiana in FCS play, as well as an FBS loss to Texas A&M.
South Dakota finished fifth in the Valley this season and have four losses — all in conference play to NDSU, SDSU, UNI and Illinois State. USD defeated an FBS opponent — Bowling Green — 35-27 earlier this season.
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SOUTH DAKOTA’S TOP WIN: Def. Western Illinois (Then FCS No. 16) 38-33
NICHOLLS' TOP WIN: Def. McNeese (Finished 4th behind Nicholls in Southland) 38-35
QB COMPARISON: Chris Streveler vs. Chase Fourcade (stat comparison)
RB COMPARISON: Michael Fredrick vs. Kyran Irvin (stat comparison)
WR COMPARISON: Shamar Jackson vs. Damion Jeanpiere (stat comparison)
TOP DEFENSIVE PLAYER: Andrew Gray vs. Corey Abraham (stat comparison)
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QUICK HIT: This will be a game of firsts for both teams — South Dakota makes the field for the first time at the FCS level and Nicholls hosts for the first time in school history.
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NEXT ROUND
SOUTH DAKOTA VS. SAM HOUSTON STATE: Comparison
NICHOLLS VS. SAM HOUSTON STATE: Comparison
Round 2 game: Saturday, Dec. 2, 3 p.m. ET
