2016 North Dakota State Football Schedule Date Opponent Time Aug. 27 CHARLESTON SOUTHERN 6:30 p.m. Sept. 10 EASTERN WASHINGTON 2:30 p.m. Sept. 17 at Iowa TBD Oct. 1 *ILLINOIS STATE 1 p.m. Oct. 8 *at Missouri State TBD Oct. 15 *SOUTH DAKOTA STATE 2:30 p.m. Oct. 22 *at Western Illinois TBD Oct. 29 *at Northern Iowa TBD Nov. 5 *YOUNGSTOWN STATE 2:30 p.m. Nov. 12 *INDIANA STATE 2:30 p.m. Nov. 19 *at South Dakota TBD *Missouri Valley Football Conference games

FARGO, N.D. – Five-time defending FCS national champion North Dakota State completed its 2016 football schedule with the addition of a sixth home game Saturday, Aug. 27, against defending Big South Conference champion Charleston Southern in the third annual FCS Kickoff on ESPN at 6:30 p.m.Charleston Southern reached the FCS quarterfinals last season and finished the year ranked sixth and seventh in the two national polls. The Buccaneers are 28-10 in three years under head coach Jamey Chadwell with only five of those losses coming to FCS competition. CSU has eight returning starters on a defense that finished the season ranked ninth nationally in total defense."The FCS Kickoff is a tremendous opportunity to showcase our football program and university on national television, and we are excited to be part of it for a second time," said NDSU director of athletics. "We appreciate the relationship we have with ESPN for making this possible, and are excited about the six quality opponents coming to the Fargodome this year."In non-conference play, North Dakota State also hosts Big Sky Conference power Eastern Washington on Sept. 10 and will travel Sept. 17 to face the defending Big Ten West Division champion and 2016 Rose Bowl participant Iowa.Missouri Valley Football Conference play begins Oct. 1 with the homecoming game against Illinois State. NDSU hosts South Dakota State in the Dakota Marker game on Oct. 15, and Youngstown State is the opponent for Harvest Bowl game Nov. 5. Indiana State visits on Nov. 12 to close out a strong home schedule."We believe we have the best facility and fans in the FCS, and look forward to an electric atmosphere for opening night on ESPN," said NDSU head coach. "This is a great test for us to open against a Top 10 opponent, and it will be exciting for our team to face another FBS opponent this year."NDSU also announced it has reached an agreement with Robert Morris University (Pa.) for a game in Fargo on Sept. 23, 2017. NDSU and Robert Morris have met twice previously with the Bison winning 43-17 in a 2010 FCS first round playoff game and 52-0 in the 2012 season opener.North Dakota State begins spring practice Wednesday, March 23, and will conclude spring drills with the annual Green and Gold Spring Game at 1:30 p.m. Saturday, April 23, at Gate City Bank Field at the Fargodome.