BROOKINGS – South Dakota State’s nonconference schedule concludes tonight when the Southern Utah Thunderbirds come to town. Coming off of back-to-back blow out wins against Long Island and Drake, the Jackrabbits are hoping to continue to improve against the Thunderbirds.

The last time these two teams faced each other was 2015 and SDSU won 55-10. Demario Warren was not the head coach the Thunderbirds that season. He was hired before the 2016 season and has a 17-20 record as head coach.

“It’ll be different (than 2015) because they have a new head coach and a new defensive coordinator from last season, so they’re still getting used to that. I think it’ll be a battle. It’s the Big Sky versus Missouri Valley, so there’s a bit of bragging rights there. If they want to make the playoffs, they have to start winning some football games and if we want to get to where we want to be we have to win a bunch of football games,” SDSU coach John Stiegelmeier said.

The Thunderbirds (1-2) are led by redshirt sophomore quarterback Chris Helbirg. Helbirg has completed 65 passes for 639 yards with two touchdowns and one interception on the season. Sophomore running back Lance Lawson leads SUU in receiving with 28 catches for 251 yards and two touchdowns. He is averaging 83.7 yards per game.

“We’re going to see a spread offense from them,” Stiegelmeier said. “We’re going to see them trying to get the ball to Lawson a lot. They have a quarterback who runs the show pretty well and makes good decisions and is willing to run the ball at times. They have a lot of speed on both sides of the ball.”

After missing two-straight games with a pinky injury, redshirt freshman quarterback J’Bore Gibbs is expected to return to the starting lineup tonight. Gibbs, who threw for 193 yards and a touchdown in the season opener against Minnesota, practiced all week and Stiegelmeier said even though he looked a little rusty in practice he should be ready to go.

“When you’re not throwing the ball, you’re getting rusty. He threw very little while he was hurt, but he’s getting back into it,” Stiegelmeier said.

Gibbs’ teammates stepped up in his absence, especially in the last game against Drake. Sophomore running backs Pierre Strong Jr. and C.J. Wilson combined for 146 yards against the Bulldogs. Junior wide receiver Cade Johnson caught five passes for 80 yards and two touchdowns and also had a 76-yard run.

Offensive coordinator Jason Eck said he plans to have a regular game plan even though Gibbs is still a little rusty.

“I think the key is, whatever we do, when you have a guy who’s coming off injury like that, we have to do a good job with protection when we’re throwing the ball. He’s got to do a good job when he’s in the pocket or when he’s scrambling out of the pocket at being smart and avoiding big hits. I think it has a little affect in the game plan, but not much,” Eck said.

This will be the 53rd annual Beef Bowl and kick off between the Jacks and Thunderbirds is scheduled for 6 p.m.