Venue & Game Details
Kickoff Time: 6:00 PM CT / 7:00 PM ET
Venue: Dana J. Dykhouse Stadium, Brookings, South Dakota
Capacity: ~19,300
Broadcast: ESPN+
Weather Forecast (Brookings, SD)
Kickoff Temperature: ~71°F (22°C)
Conditions: Partly cloudy, mild
Wind: 7–12 mph from the northwest
Precipitation: ~10% chance of light showers
Impact: Ideal early fall football weather; no disruptions expected.
Injury Report
Mercyhurst Lakers (Division II, PSAC):
QB Michael Lowry – healthy, 612 yards, 3 TDs, 5 INTs.
RB Dorian Hardy – healthy, 198 rushing yards, 2 TDs.
WR Jalen Jackson – healthy, 212 yards, 2 TDs.
No major injuries reported.
South Dakota State Jackrabbits (FCS, MVFC):
QB Mark Gronowski – healthy, 785 yards, 8 TDs, 1 INT.
RB Amar Johnson – healthy, 356 rushing yards, 4 TDs.
WR Jaxon Janke – healthy, 278 yards, 3 TDs.
TE Zach Heins – healthy, 142 yards, 2 TDs.
No major injuries reported.
Key Player Matchups
Michael Lowry (Mercyhurst QB) vs. SDSU Secondary
Lowry has struggled with turnovers (5 INTs).
SDSU’s defense has 6 INTs in 3 games.
Mark Gronowski (SDSU QB) vs. Mercyhurst Defense
Gronowski is completing 71% of passes with 8 TDs.
Mercyhurst allows 38.5 ppg, vulnerable to explosive plays.
Amar Johnson (SDSU RB) vs. Lakers Front Seven
Johnson averages 118 ypg.
Mercyhurst allows 210 rushing ypg.
Jaxon Janke (SDSU WR) vs. Lakers Corners
Janke is a proven deep threat.
Mercyhurst has allowed 10 passing TDs in 4 games.
Recent Team Form
Mercyhurst Lakers (0–4)
L 45–19 vs. Slippery Rock (Week 4)
L 38–10 @ IUP (Week 3)
L 31–14 vs. Gannon (Week 2)
L 42–7 @ Shepherd (Week 1)
Strengths: Some offensive flashes through WR Jalen Jackson.
Weaknesses: Defense giving up nearly 40 ppg.
South Dakota State Jackrabbits (3–0)
W 41–14 vs. Southeast Missouri State (Week 3)
W 59–3 vs. Tennessee State (Week 2)
W 38–0 @ The Citadel (Week 1)
Strengths: Balanced offense, elite defense (allowing just 5.7 ppg).
Weaknesses: None glaring; depth is a strength.
Conference vs. Conference
Mercyhurst: Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC, Division II).
South Dakota State: Missouri Valley Football Conference (MVFC, FCS).
This is a non-conference mismatch: a Division II program traveling to face the defending FCS powerhouse.
Series History
First-ever meeting between Mercyhurst and South Dakota State.
Betting Trends
Mercyhurst Lakers:
0–4 ATS in 2025.
1–7 ATS in last 8 road games.
4 of last 5 games have gone Over.
South Dakota State Jackrabbits:
3–0 ATS in 2025.
7–1 ATS in last 8 home games.
5 of last 6 games have gone Under.
Historical Betting Results
No prior head-to-head betting history.
SDSU: Covered -28 in 41–14 win vs. SEMO (Week 3, 2025).
Mercyhurst: Failed to cover +21.5 in 45–19 loss vs. Slippery Rock (Week 4, 2025).
Game Odds
Mercyhurst Lakers 56
South Dakota State Jackrabbits – 45.5
Odds Courtesy of Sports Odd Direct as of Friday, September 26, 2025
