http://www.fcs.football/cfb/story.asp?i ... m=&src=FCS
(STATS) - With nonconference matchups between the Big Sky and Missouri Valley ever growing, the two FCS conferences announced Tuesday their games will be promoted as part of a challenge series.
This season, there are eight matchups involving nine programs, with six being hosted by the Big Sky school. Each game will involve at least one team ranked in the STATS FCS Preseason Top 25.
"The history of games between these two great FCS conferences is long and strong and it's wonderful to give these games even more significance with this Big Sky/MVFC Challenge Series," MVFC commissioner Patty Viverito said. "Inter-conference FCS matchups featuring nationally ranked teams make the football season more interesting and meaningful for teams and fans alike."
Five of this year's games will be played Sept. 9: No. 2 North Dakota State (MVFC) at No. 5 Eastern Washington (Big Sky), No. 23 Cal Poly (Big Sky) at No. 18 Northern Iowa (MVFC), No. 4 South Dakota State (MVFC) at Montana State (Big Sky), No. 25 Western Illinois (MVFC) at Northern Arizona (Big Sky) and Missouri State (MVFC) at No. 8 North Dakota (Big Sky).
North Dakota will play at South Dakota (MVFC) and Northern Iowa will visit Southern Utah (Big Sky) on Sept. 16, while No. 20 Illinois State (MVFC) will travel to Northern Arizona on Oct. 7.
