The North Dakota State Bison once again lead the way in the Missouri Valley Football Conference. Their 5-0 overall mark includes two wins over conference opponents. The pack is close behind the Bison though, as it is time to take a quick look around the conference.

Youngstown State

The Penguins join the Bison at 2-0 in the conference. They do have one loss so far this year, and that loss is from a game at West Virginia. The Penguins have taken down South Dakota and Illinois State the past two weeks, comfortably in both games. Led by running back Martin Ruiz who has found the end zone seven times already. The senior is averaging just under 80 yards per game. The rushing defense has been solid, not allowing a rushing touchdown yet. The schedule gets harder for the Penguins, starting this week with Northern Iowa.

Western Illinois

It took a rally, but the Leathernecks fought back on their homecoming to notch the first win of the conference season over Indiana State. Kicker Nathan Knuffman converted from 41-yards out to get the 36-35 win. Overall, Western Illinois has a record of 4-1. That one loss was to the Jackrabbits of South Dakota State. A quality win over FBS Northern Illinois highlights the Leatherneck’s season so far. Western Illinois is led by the quarterback-receiver combo of Sean McGuire and Lance Lenior. McGuire has thrown for an average of 247.2 yards a game, and 123.4 of those are to Lenoir. The Leathernecks travel to Springfield to take on Missouri State this week.

Missouri State

Also sitting at 1-1, the Bears started better than they did last year. Missouri State has already improved on their win total from last year, when they went 1-10. This year, they took down Indiana State before losing to the Bison last week. Bison fans got a good look at the Bears, who are still a young team, but look to have a solid structure. Mistakes cost them from giving the Bison a run. Look out for them next year.

South Dakota

The bane of Bison fans last year, the Coyotes have gotten off the mark in the valley this year. They took down the UNI Panthers at home last week in a close one. The 28-25 victory in the DakotaDome got the Coyotes their first win in the conference. A pair of Tacari Carpenter touchdown receptions won the day. It was Carpenter’s second and third touchdowns of the year for the receiver leading the team in average yards per game. Overall, the Coyotes sit at 3-2, with the losses coming from New Mexico and North Dakota.

University of Northern Iowa

The Panthers have dug themselves in a hole this year. Still ranked No. 11 in FCS, they already have a trio of tough losses. At home to Montana, at Eastern Washington and at South Dakota, all losses. They did have a good win at Iowa State, but still, it looks bleak for the Panthers. They still have perhaps the biggest duel threat with Aaron Bailey, and can still provide issues for opposing teams.

Indiana State

The Sycamores have been average this season at best. They were dismantled in week two by the Gophers and have fallen in their last two games in the Valley. Their one win in conference came by a three-point victory against Illinois State. Indiana State is led by Isaac Harker, who is throwing for 279 yards per game and 12 touchdowns. The Sycamores travel to Southern Illinois this week.

Southern Illinois and Illinois State

The two Illinois schools will be looking to get their first wins in conference when they meet this week. The Salukis and the Redbirds both enter with two non-conference wins. The Redbirds have the most impressive, with taking down Northwestern back in September. They will look to get out of the valley cellar this week.