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Corn crop showing good progress in South Dakota
• SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (AP) -- Federal officials say the corn crop is showing good progress in South Dakota, although more rain is needed to meet yield potential.
• The U.S. Department of Agriculture says in its weekly crop report that corn silking was at 69 percent, behind last year's 78 percent but ahead of the 45 percent average.
• Topsoil moisture supplies were rated 7 percent very short, 24 percent short, 65 percent adequate and 4 percent surplus. Pasture and range conditions were rated 1 percent very poor, 5 percent poor, 22 percent fair, 59 percent good and 13 percent excellent.
• Winter wheat turning color was at 99 percent, compared to the average of 100 percent. Spring wheat turning color was 90 percent, slightly above the 89 percent average.
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North Dakota St overwhelming favorite in Mo Valley
LUKE MEREDITH,AP Sports Writer
• The Missouri Valley Football conference has long been one of the deepest and most competitive leagues in the Championship Subdivision.
• Rarely has a team been as big of a preseason favorite as North Dakota State.
• The two-time defending national champions were a unanimous pick to win the league in a poll released Monday. North Dakota State, which returns 18 starters from a team that went 14-1 and trounced Sam Houston State in the title game, got all 39 first-place votes from a collection of league coaches and media.
• South Dakota State was second, followed by Northern Iowa and Illinois State.
• "Certainly windows of opportunity (like this) don't come along very often," North Dakota State coach Craig Bohl said. "Our guys do recognize the great opportunity that we do have, that's out there, But to do that, we can't get the cart before the horse."
• The Bison aren't just an overwhelming bet to win the Valley again. They appear deep enough to make a serious run at a third consecutive national title.
• North Dakota State had a league-high 10 selections on the preseason All-Valley team, including senior quarterback Brock Jensen. He threw for 17 touchdowns and ran for 12 more last season.
• "The really good football teams that we've been associated with here and that (Continued on page 32)
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