WATCH: Moose runs loose on South Dakota State football field
In the latest edition of things you don’t see every day, a moose was captured on camera trotting across the South Dakota State football field. The Jackrabbits (6-2) are scheduled to host rival North Dakota State (8-0) at 3 p.m. ET on Saturday.
The moose seemed to realize it had been spotted, as it bolted behind the bleachers and quickly out of sight. It is unclear how the animal entered, but thankfully it happened a day before the fans arrived for the marquee FCS matchup.
With both teams ranked inside the top 10 in the FCS poll, Saturday’s game is bound to garner a lot of attention from the Dakotas. NDSU has built an FCS dynasty that rivals that of Alabama’s over in the FBS, claiming eight national championships since 2011.
South Dakota State has made nine consecutive appearances in the FCS playoffs, with increased success in recent years. They finished runner up in 2020 after falling to Sam Houston State in the championship game. The Bison handed SDSU a playoff loss in 2012, 2013, 2016 and 2018.
Tight end Ticker Craft leads the Jackrabbits receiving attack with 40 catches for 501 yards and four touchdowns this season. SDSU defeated FBS foe Colorado State to start the season, but has dropped a pair of games in Missouri Valley Conference play. Regardless, it should still make the 24-team playoff at the end of the year.
North Dakota State looks bound to make the title game for yet another season. Sam Houston State and Princeton are the only other remaining unbeaten teams in the FCS.
Having hopefully removed the moose from its stadium, South Dakota State can now prepare for a herd of Bison to enter on Saturday. If all goes well, the Jackrabbits will chase them away too. North Dakota State currently owns a 10-7 advantage in the history of the rivalry, labeled the Dakota Marker.