University of South Dakota Athletics

Dave Garner attended South Dakota from 1970-74 and was a star player on the Coyote football team. He was voted the most valuable defensive lineman in the North Central Conference during his senior season. Simply stated, Garner was an outstanding player on a tremendous defensive team that held opponents to an average of 2.8 yards per rush. Leading the Coyotes to a pair of North Central Conference championships in 1972 and 1973, Garner was tough to deal with despite being one of the smallest nose guards in the country. However, he was so quick, fast, and strong, that nobody could block him. Labeled a tremendous competitor, Garner raised havoc in the line. A good measuring stick of Garner's active style on the field was the fact that in 1972 he set a USD school record by recovering six fumbles. Indeed, Garner played an instrumental role in helping turn the South Dakota football program around as the Coyotes emerged into the national scene. In 1973 Garner and company spearheaded a Coyote squad that became the first South Dakota team to ever participate in the NCAA post-season playoffs - and the Coyotes were ranked as high as No.5 by United Press International and the Associated Press.