BROOKINGS, S.D. (Interstat) — Eastern Illinois will visit South Dakota State on Saturday for an NCAA Football Championship Division game at Dana J. Dykhouse Stadium in Brookings, S.D.

South Dakota State enters at 3-1 with victories over Stetson, New Haven and Youngstown State. The Jackrabbits’ lone loss came at Northwestern. Eastern Illinois is 1-3 after opening the season with a win at Murray State and then falling to Minnesota, Indiana State and Illinois State.

The Panthers will look to quarterback Cole LaCrue to spark their offense. In Eastern Illinois’ most recent game, a loss at Illinois State, LaCrue completed 15 of 25 passes for 150 yards and one touchdown and added five carries for 15 yards. Devin Whitlock contributed three rushes for 15 yards and two receptions for 22 yards, while Tyren Buggs ran nine times for 23 yards and caught three passes. Eastern Illinois has scored 35 points in a home loss to Indiana State but was held to seven at Minnesota and 13 at Illinois State.

South Dakota State counters with quarterback Chase Mason, who has been productive in the passing and running games. In the Jackrabbits’ most recent win over Youngstown State, Mason completed 9 of 13 passes for 137 yards and one touchdown and ran six times for 45 yards. Earlier against Northwestern, he completed 23 of 48 passes for 285 yards and carried 13 times for 39 yards. Josh Holst also saw time at quarterback against Youngstown State, completing 3 of 8 passes for 16 yards and running once for six yards. Josiah Johnson powered the ground game in that victory with 30 carries for 238 yards and two touchdowns.

The Jackrabbits have scored at least 27 points in each of their three wins and reached 57 and 70 points in home victories over New Haven and Stetson, respectively. They were limited to 18 points in the loss at Northwestern. Eastern Illinois has allowed 42 or more points in two of its past three games, while South Dakota State’s defense has held two opponents to 14 points or fewer.

The game is scheduled for Saturday at Dana J. Dykhouse Stadium. The forecast calls for 61 degrees at game time. South Dakota State has won three of four to start the season and will aim to protect home field before returning to its upcoming schedule. Eastern Illinois will try to end a three-game losing streak and find consistency on offense behind LaCrue.

Interstat’s game simulator projects South Dakota State 42, Eastern Illinois 25. Interstat’s ELO system gives South Dakota State a 99.3 percent probability to win. Eastern Illinois has been installed as a pregame favorite with a spread of +34.5. The over/under for the game is 53.5.