The 2024 Missouri Valley Football Conference season was the 39th season of college football play for the Missouri Valley Football Conference and part of the 2024 NCAA Division I FCS football season. This was the MVFC's first season returning to 11 teams, and its fourth in the last 5 seasons. It was also the conference's last at the time as Missouri State announced before the season that they would be joining Conference USA starting in the 2025âÂÂ26 academic year. The Bears were ineligible for the FCS playoffs and the conference title during the 2024 season.
North Dakota State made it to the National Championship as the 2nd seed and won their 10th FCS title in program history, and 18th title at any level, defeating Montana State. South Dakota State and South Dakota made the playoffs as the 3rd and 4th seeds and won their way to the FCS semifinals, where they would fall to North Dakota State and Montana State. Illinois State also made the playoffs as the 12th seed, and made it to the second round, losing to 5th seeded UC Davis.
After the conclusion of the 2023 college football season, Western Illinois left the conference for the Ohio Valley Conference after 38 years in the league as a charter member. This move matches the Leathernecks departure from their main conference, the Summit League, which they left after the 2022-23 collegiate season.
On January 10, 2024, Jody Wright was named the new head coach at Murray State. Wright takes over for Dean Hood, who retired after the 2023 season.
On December 17, 2023, Tim Polasek was named the new head coach at North Dakota State. Polasek takes over for Matt Entz, who left the Bison for the linebackers/assistant coach position at USC.
The annual preseason poll; voted on by conference coaches, athletic directors, and media members.
Source:
All times Central time.
â denotes Homecoming game<br> ^ denotes AP Poll ranking for FBS teams
In 2024, four teams made the FCS playoffs. North Dakota State (No. 2), South Dakota State (No. 3), and South Dakota (No. 4) all received byes, while Illinois State (No. 12) played in the first round. Below are the games in which they played.
All times central. Seedings in parentheses.
2024âÂÂ25 records against non-conference foes:
Post season
On December 2, 2024, the Missouri Valley Football Conference released their Players of the Year and All-Conference Honors.
On November 26, 2024, STATS Perform released their list of finalists for the Walter Payton Award, Buck Buchanan Award, Jerry Rice Award, and Eddie Robinson Award, respectively. Finalists are listed by order they appear in the STATS Perform article:
The following MVFC players were listed as finalists for the Walter Payton Award, which is given to the best FCS offensive player:
The following MVFC players were listed as finalists for the Buck Buchanan Award, which is given to the best FCS defensive player:
The Jerry Rice Award is given to the most outstanding FCS freshman. The MVFC's own CharMar Brown (RB - North Dakota State) won the award. The other conference finalist is listed below:
The following MVFC coaches were listed as finalists for the Eddie Robinson Award, which is given to the best FCS head coach:
Bold - Exceed or met capacity<br> â Season High<br> â¡FCS Playoff Game
The following list includes all MVFC players who were drafted in the 2025 NFL draft.
Through January 6, 2025<br> All stats include 2024 season