NORMAL, Ill. (Interstat) — South Dakota State will visit Illinois State on Saturday for an NCAA Football Championship Division game at Hancock Stadium. Both teams enter with 4-1 records, giving the matchup added weight as the Jackrabbits and Redbirds look to build on strong starts.

South Dakota State’s offense will be led by quarterback Josh Holst, a player to watch. In his most recent game, a 42-7 win over Eastern Illinois on Saturday, Holst passed for 176 yards and ran for 8 yards and a touchdown. Earlier against Youngstown State, he passed for 16 yards and ran for 6 yards in a 27-20 victory. The Jackrabbits also got production from Jack Henry, who passed for 13 yards and ran for 39 yards, and Josiah Johnson, who ran for 121 yards, caught a 27-yard pass and scored two touchdowns in the win over Eastern Illinois.

South Dakota State has wins over Stetson (70-7), New Haven (57-14), Youngstown State (27-20) and Eastern Illinois (42-7). Its lone loss came at Northwestern, 34-18. The Jackrabbits have scored at least 27 points in four of five games and will face an Illinois State defense that has allowed 21 or fewer points in three games.

Illinois State will counter with quarterback Beckham Pellant, its player to watch. Pellant passed for 35 yards and ran for 3 yards in a 28-21 loss at Northern Iowa on Saturday. He passed for 116 yards and ran for 6 yards and a touchdown in a 49-13 win over Eastern Illinois, and he passed for 132 yards and a touchdown in a 41-10 win at Western Illinois. In the Northern Iowa loss, Gage Roy passed for 193 yards and two touchdowns, while Tyler Lofton ran for 72 yards and caught three passes for 22 yards.

The Redbirds have beaten St. Francis (IL) 76-0, Western Illinois 41-10, Northern Illinois 28-24 and Eastern Illinois 49-13. Their loss came at Northern Iowa, 28-21. Illinois State has been especially strong at home, though the Redbirds will be tested by a South Dakota State team that has been prolific on the ground and efficient through the air.

Hancock Stadium in Normal, Ill., will host the matchup. South Dakota State is the visiting team, and Illinois State is the home team. The Jackrabbits will look to control possession and limit mistakes, while the Redbirds aim to use their balanced attack to keep pace. Both teams are 4-1 and seeking a key win in the NCAA Football Championship Division. The Jackrabbits next play at North Dakota, while Illinois State visits Southern Illinois.

Interstat’s game simulator projects a final score of Illinois State 42, South Dakota State 33.