PITTSBURG — Pittsburg State University Director of Intercollegiate Athletics Jim Johnson announced today (Jan. 30) that the Gorillas have signed a one-year deal to host the University of Sioux Falls (USF) football team next fall.

Pitt State will entertain the Cougars, an NCAA Division II member of the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference (NSIC), on Saturday, October 28, for the Gorillas' Homecoming game.

The schedule move followed an announcement from the MIAA last week that Lincoln University is leaving the conference following the 2023-24 academic year. Lincoln's future departure makes all contests between MIAA schools and the Blue Tigers in 2023 non-conference games. It also opened the door for MIAA schools, with mutual consent from Lincoln, to drop the Blue Tigers in 2023 in favor of seeking alternate opponents.

"We are excited to announce this update to our 2023 football schedule," Johnson said. "Obviously, a lot has transpired in a short time, but we look forward to the opportunity to host a premiere Division II football program in the University of Sioux Falls at Carnie Smith Stadium this fall. Given all of the strength of schedule metrics that help determine playoff qualifiers and playoff seeding, both programs believe this is a great addition to both of our respective schedules.

"I think this is a great opportunity for both our institutions to provide leadership in looking differently at football scheduling. We appreciate Pam Gohl (USF AD) and head coach Jim Glogowski being willing to join us in this leadership role. I believe the time is here for us to do a deep dive on how teams are seeded for post-season play as well as how we bracket the 28-team Division II football championship tournament. But, that will take some time. During that time, it is up to schools and conferences to be creative with regular season schedules so that student-athletes are better positioned for post-season success."

Pitt State and USF have not previously met on the gridiron. The Cougars posted an 8-3 record in 2022. USF opened the season 7-0 before dropping three straight games to NCAA-II playoff qualifiers Winona State, Minnesota State and Wayne State (Neb.). USF has qualified for the NCAA-II playoffs four times since 2015 (2015-17, '19) and registered back-to-back 8-3 seasons in 2021-22.

Pitt State posted a 12-1 record in 2022. The Gorillas enjoyed an unblemished 11-0 regular season, capturing the 2022 MIAA Championship. Pitt State received the No. 3 seed in NCAA-II Super Region Three and advanced to the second round of the national playoffs before falling, 17-14, on the road to eventual national champion Ferris State University.

Pitt State will release its full 2023 football schedule, with start times and special event notations (Family Day, Hall of Fame Game) later this spring.