South Dakota State, Augustana release 2024 football schedules, and they're playing each other

Dec. 19—BROOKINGS — South Dakota State has released its 2024 football schedule, and it's a fun one.

The Jackrabbits will play a 12-game regular season schedule next year, which includes four non-conference games and a bye before Missouri Valley Football Conference play. SDSU's non-conference slate includes a Big 12 road trip (Oklahoma State), a home game against a former rival from in-state (Augustana), and two games against FCS teams that were in the playoffs last year — Incarnate Word and Southeastern Louisiana.

Their opener at Oklahoma State is the headliner, but a big surprise was added to the non-conference portion of the schedule when it was announced Tuesday, with Augustana coming to Dana J. Dykhouse Stadium on Sept. 14, SDSU's third game of the season. The Vikings were longtime rivals of the Jackrabbits when the schools were both in the Division II North Central Conference, and now play in the NSIC of Division II.

The teams last met in November 2004, SDSU's first season in their transition to Division I. The Jackrabbits won 38-9 at Coughlin-Alumni Stadium.

Augustana is coming off one of the best seasons in their program's history, as they won the NSIC title outright and advanced to the second round of the playoffs, ultimately finishing 11-2 on the season.

While that game will be fun for local fans, the big challenge for SDSU will come when they face Oklahoma State in the opener, on Aug. 31. The Cowboys are 9-4 this year and set to face Texas A&M in the Texas Bowl on Dec. 27, the 18th straight season they've made a Bowl game under coach Mike Gundy.

SDSU has never faced Oklahoma State, and the Cowboys will be SDSU's first power conference opponent since they opened at Iowa in 2022 (a 7-3 loss). The Jacks are 2-10 against FBS opponents in their history.

Rounding out SDSU's non-conference slate are the home opener against Incarnate Word on Sept. 7 and a road trip to face Southeastern Louisiana on Sept. 21. Both of those teams compete in the Southland Conference.

Incarnate Word reached the FCS semifinals last year and were 8-2 this year, while Southeastern Louisiana went 3-8 this season after having made the FCS playoffs three out of the four prior seasons.

Conference play begins Oct. 5 at Northern Iowa, with Hobo Day set for the following week vs. Youngstown State.

SDSU's two big rivalry games come in consecutive weeks, as they visit the Fargodome Oct. 19 for NDSU and host USD on Oct. 26. The Jacks also face newest Valley member Murray State for the first time when they host the Racers on Nov. 2.

Augustana also released their full schedule on Tuesday.

The Vikings open Sept. 7 at Mary before visiting the Jacks the following week. Augie's home opener is set for Sept. 21 vs. Northern State. They'll host USF for the Key to the City rivalry game on Nov. 9.

SOUTH DAKOTA STATE 2024 SCHEDULE

Aug. 31 at Oklahoma State, TBD

Sept. 7 INCARNATE WORD, 6 p.m.

Sept. 14 AUGUSTANA, 6 p.m.

Sept. 21 at Southeastern Louisiana, TBD

Sept. 28 BYE

Oct. 5 at Northern Iowa, TBD

Oct. 12 YOUNGSTOWN STATE, 2 p.m.

Oct. 19 at NDSU, TBD

Oct. 26 SOUTH DAKOTA, 2 p.m.

Nov. 2 MURRAY STATE, 2 p.m.

Nov. 9 at North Dakota, TBD

Nov. 16 SOUTHERN ILLINOIS, 2 p.m.

Nov. 23 at Missouri State, TBD

AUGUSTANA 2024 SCHEDULE, times TBD

Sept. 7 at Mary

Sept. 14 at South Dakota State

Sept. 21 NORTHERN STATE

Sept. 28 at MSU-Moorhead

Oct. 5 MINNESOTA DULUTH

Oct. 12 at Minot State

Oct. 19 WINONA STATE

Oct. 26 at MSU-Mankato

Nov. 2 CONCORDIA-ST. PAUL

Nov. 9 SIOUX FALLS

Nov. 16 at Bemidji State