Missouri Valley Football Conference awards: South Dakota State's John Stiegelmeier named coach of the year

John Stiegelmeier is named the Missouri Valley Football Conference's coach of the year for the second time in his career. South Dakota State went 10-1 overall and 8-0 in MVFC play to earn the conference title outright for first time. Stiegler received 156 votes, topping that of North Dakota's Bubba Schweigert (97) and Youngstown State's Doug Phillips (81). SDSU is the No. 1 seed in the FCS postseason and will play Delaware on Saturday, Dec. 3.

SDSU places eight players on the MVFC's top honor team. North Dakota State was the only other team with as many first-team players as SDSu. Jackrabbits and Bison combined to account for 16 of the 31 first team selections. SdsU's offense gained 4,044 yards at a rate of 5.7 yards per play. John Stiegelmeier was named coach of season.  On the all-conference second team, SSDU was represented by quarterback Mark Gronowski, wide receiver Jaxon Janke, tight end Zach Heins and return specialist JadonJanke.

South Dakota State's John Stiegelmeier named coach of the year. Coyotes get six all-MVFC honorees. South Dakota had two first-team picks, four on the second team and four honorable mentions. Stephen Hillis and Dalton Godfrey were the Coyotes honored on first team. Brock Mogensen, Alex Jensen, Myles Harden, John Bickle and Travis Theis were honorable mention.

Jaleel McLaughlin, Youngstown State running back, is the Offensive Player of the Year. Zeke Vandenburgh, Illinois State linebacker, was the Defensive Player Of The Year, while Cade Chambers, Indiana State quarterback, won the Freshman of The Season Award. Naseim Brantley, Western Illinois wide receiver, received 87 votes to Zack Annexstad's 75. The winner was announced on Sunday. It was a finalist for the Jerry Rice Award (the national freshman ofThe Year).