The South Dakota State football team is back at home Saturday night to start a three-game homestand hosting the University of New Haven in the 59th Beef Bowl Saturday night at Dana J. Dykhouse Stadium.
SDSU enters the game with a 1-1 overall record and is ranked second in this week’s Stats Perform media poll and third by the American Football Coaches Association. The Jackrabbits dropped a 34-18 decision at Northwestern (Ill.) on Sept. 5 in their lone game against a Football Bowl Subdivision opponent this season.
SDSU Head Coach Dan Jackson says his veteran leaders have the team ready to respond this Saturday.
New Haven, meanwhile, also holds a 1-1 overall record on the young season after splitting games against Marist (W, 22-21) and Stonehill (L, 3-21). The Chargers are in their second season of reclassification to the NCAA Division I Football Championship Subdivision and Northeast Conference after previously competing at the Division II level.
Coach Jackson says New Haven is a program ready to win.
The Chargers are led by transfer Quarterback AJ Duffy who spent tiome with both San Diego State and Florida State.
Coach Jackson says Duffy fits the mold of an FCS-Missouri Valley conference quarterback.
Kickoff for the annual Beef Bowl, Jacks in Black game is scheduled for 6 p.m.
Catch the Jackrabbit Sports Network pregame coverage with Scotty Kwas, Al Bahe and Brent Bowen starting at 4pm on Brookings Radio’s AM-910.
SDSU running back Josiah Johnson (#22) rushes for his 9th career touchdown at Northwestern University on September 5th, 2026. (Video credit: Scotty Kwas)
