COLLEGE

South Dakota State, South Dakota, well represented on All-Missouri Valley Football Conference team

Matt Zimmer
Argus Leader
Cade Johnson of SDSU outruns the defense during Saturday's win over Drake

North Dakota State dominated the Missouri Valley Football Conference postseason awards, while South Dakota State and South Dakota both landed their share of players on the all-conference first and second teams.

The top-ranked Bison had 19 total selections, while SDSU had 10 and USD nine.

The Bison swept the individual awards, with quarterback Trey Lance earning offensive player of the year, freshman of the year and newcomer of the year, defensive end Derrek Tuszka garnering defensive player of the year honors and rookie coach Matt Entz being voted coach of the year.

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Lance and Tuszka were joined on the all-Valley first team by tight end Ben Ellefson, offensive linemen Zack Johnson, Cordell Volson and Dillon Radunz, linebacker Jabril Cox and defensive back James Hendricks.

For South Dakota State, running back Pierre Strong, wide receiver Cade Johnson and linebacker Christian Rozeboom were named to the first team, while fullback Luke Sellers, offensive lineman Matt Clark, defensive end Ryan Earith, and cornerback Don Gardner landed on the second team. Linebacker Logan Backhaus, tight end Kal Hart and receiver Adam Anderson received honorable mention.

FULL TEAM: See the list here

USD punter Brady Schutt earned first team recognition, while quarterback Austin Simmons, receiver Caleb Vander Esch, tight end Bret Samson, defensive end Darin Greenfield and linebacker Jack Cochrane were named to the second team. Offensive lineman Mason Scheidegger, kicker Mason Lorber and defensive back Elijah Reed received honorable mention.

The FCS playoffs continue this weekend with four teams from the Missouri Valley Football Conference still alive. The Illinois State Redbirds (9-4), who won a first round game against Southeast Missouri State on Saturday, will face Central Arkansas, while North Dakota State (12-0) hosts Nicholls State.

The 7th-seeded Jackrabbits will host Northern Iowa, after the Panthers won their first round game 17-3 over San Diego. SDSU (8-4) will be facing UNI (9-4) in the playoffs for the second time in three years and second time in their last three games. They beat the Panthers 38-7 in their regular season home finale.