SIU unveils spring football schedule: Salukis will open Feb. 20 vs. South Dakota State

CARBONDALE - The Missouri Valley Football Conference has unveiled its eight-game spring schedule, which begins on Feb. 20 and ends on April 17.

No. 24-ranked Southern Illinois opens the season with back-to-back home games against South Dakota State and Indiana State.

No. 5 South Dakota State, No. 3 Northern Iowa and No. 9 Illinois State are all ranked in the preseason FCS Top 10.

SIU also has one nonconference game on its schedule - against No. 25-ranked SEMO on Oct. 23.

Attendance policies, kickoff times and TV appearances will be announced at a later date.

The winner of the MFVC regular season will receive an automatic bid to the FCS Playoffs. The playoffs will feature 16 teams (11 conference champions, plus five at-large selections) and will be announced on April 18.

Four rounds of games will take place on the weekends from April 24 through May 15. The national championship game will be held at Toyota Stadium in Frisco, Texas.

SIU spring schedule

Feb. 20 South Dakota State 

Feb. 27 Indiana State

Mar. 6 at Youngstown State

Mar. 13 at Missouri State

Mar. 20 Northern Iowa

Mar. 27 - BYE WEEK -

Apr. 3 at North Dakota

Apr. 10 Western Illinois

Apr. 17 at Illinois State