Oct. 10, 2000

VERMILLION, S.D. - MATCHUP: South Dakota, riding a two-game North Central Conference winning streak, will host #12 ranked Nebraska-Omaha on Saturday (Oct. 14) on Dakota Days. South Dakota's homecoming game will begin at 2 p.m. in the DakotaDome. This game will feature two of the Midwest Region's top 10 teams. Nebraska-Omaha, ranked eighth in the latest American Football Coaches Association poll and fourth in the region, faces South Dakota, who moved into the top 10 teams in the Midwest Region after their 37-0 win over St. Cloud last weekend.

COYOTES RANKED SEVENTH IN REGION: The Coyotes are ranked #7 in the Midwest region in the 2000 National Collegiate Athletic Association Division II football poll conducted by the NCAA Division II Football Committee with records through Oct. 8. The top 10 in the Midwest included Northwest Missouri State (6-0), North Dakota State (6-0), North Dakota (5-1), Nebraska-Omaha (5-1), South Dakota State (5-1), Pittsburgh State (4-2), South Dakota (4-2), Truman State (4-2), Central Missouri State (4-2), and Winona State (5-1). In the Northeast Region, Millersville (4-1) is ranked number one while Catawba (6-0) is the South Region's top ranked team and UC-Davis (5-) is the best in the West Region.

THE SERIES: South Dakota owns a 23-16-1 series advantage in a long and storied series that began in 1935. UNO has won the last four games between the schools including a 54-23 win at Omaha in 1999. The Coyotes' last win was a 55-37 win over UNO in 1995. The Mavericks have won the last two meetings in 1996 and 1998 in Vermillion. South Dakota won the first game between the team with a 13-6 win in 1935. In fact, the Coyotes won nine of the first 10 with only a 6-6 tie in 1940. UNO did not defeat the Coyotes until 1967 (27-20). In terms of streaks, South Dakota won five in a row from 1935-39 and UNO won four in a row from 1988-91 and 1996-99. The Coyotes' biggest margin of victory was a 41-8 win in 1986 while UNO's biggest margin was 54-23 a year ago.

THE LAST TIME: UNO broke from a 16-16 halftime tie a year ago by scoring of six of their seven second half possessions to win 54-23. UNO had 531 yards total offense in the game.

UPCOMING SCHEDULE: The Coyotes will face Northern Colorado at 1 p.m. in the DakotaDome next weekend in the Coyotes' second straight home game. The Coyotes travel to Morningside in two weeks for a 1 p.m. game at Roberts Stadium. In three weeks the Coyotes will travel to South Dakota State for a 1 p.m. game at Coughlin-Alumni Stadium before returning home for the final game of the regular season. South Dakota will host Minnesota State - Mankato at 1 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 11 in the DakotaDome.

ON DAKOTA DAY: Overall the Coyotes own a 54-28-5 record on homecoming including a 2-1 record vs. Nebraska-Omaha. The last meeting between the schools on Dakota Day was 1998 when UNO won 29-7. The Coyotes won the first D-Day meeting in 1979 by a score of 23-17 and won a 17-16 game in 1981. The Coyotes won their first seven Dakota Day encounters including a 33-3 win over Yankton College in the first homecoming game in 1914. The Coyotes have won four of the last five D-Day games.

NUMBERS ON D-DAY: The Coyotes have played 11 opponents including Augustana (2-1), Dakota Wesleyan (2-0), Mankato State (2-0), Michigan State (0-0-1, 3-3 tie in 1916), Morningside (16-9-1), Nebraska-Omaha (2-1), Northern Colorado (2-2), North Dakota (6-1-1), South Dakota State (15-11-2), St. Cloud St. (2-2), Yankton (1-0), and North Dakota State (0-1). The Coyotes won eight straight homecoming games from 1935-42 including three shutouts. The 1973 Coyotes scored the most points on Dakota Day, a 60-7 win over Morningside. Thirteen times the Coyotes have shut out opponents on homecoming (1917, 1918, 1924, 1926, 1931, 1932, 1938, 1941, 1942, 1948, 1955, 1970 and 1978).

LAST YEAR ON D-DAY: The Coyotes, led by all-American running back Jamel White who had a school record 285 yards rushing and five touchdowns (tied a school record) won 43-22 over St. Cloud at the DakotaDome.

FIVE TO BE INDUCTED INTO HALL OF FAME: The University of South Dakota will recognizing the outstanding achievements of four former student-athletes and a special contributor at the Coyote Hall of Fame induction ceremonies on Friday, Oct. 13. The event, which is part of the Alumni Association Banquet at the Commons on Friday night, is held annually during Dakota Days homecoming festivities. The banquet starts at 6 p.m. The members of the Hall of Fame will participate in the Dakota Day parade on Saturday morning and will be honored at the homecoming football game at 2 p.m. on Saturday. The class of 2000 will include Mitzie (Frericks) Schamel of Los Angeles, Calif. (women's basketball), Barry Glanzer of Omaha, Neb. (men's basketball), Cilla (Rew) Fitzsimmons of Yankton, S.D. (track and field), Spencer Brende of South Sioux City, Neb. (football), and special contributor Allen Neuharth of Cocoa Beach, Fla.

INDIVIDUAL BREAKDOWN FROM ST. CLOUD GAME: Justice, who had two passing touchdowns, completed 17 of 29 passes for 167 yards and had no interceptions. He also rushed for 44 yards including a 21-yard jaunt. Sagedahl had five receptions for 50 yards and a touchdown while Jeremiah Charlson, a senior wide receiver from Brookings, had four catches for 39 yards and McDougle had three receptions for 39 yards and a score. On a tough day for kickers, Hicks, a senior from Sioux Falls, converted kicks of 26, 37 and 21 but missed from 31 and 30 yards. Overall, the Coyotes recorded six tackles for loss and registered eight pass breakups to go with the two interceptions and two fumble recoveries. Scott Larson, a senior from Mobridge, S.D., had three tackles, a quarterback sack, tackle for loss and two pass breakups.

STAMER CONTINUES TO HAVE SOLID SEASON: The defensive charge was again led by all-America candidate Josh Stamer, a senior from Sutherland, Iowa, who had a team-high seven tackles including a tackle of loss (-6) and a quarterback sack. He now has five quarterback sacks and 12 tackles for loss this season. For his career, Stamer has 124 tackles, 27 tackles for loss (-115), 14.5 sacks, two fumble recoveries and three interceptions.

COYOTE PLAYERS OF THE WEEK: Offensive MVP - Ryan Justice, Defensive MVP - Rory Triplett, Special Team MVP - Ronnie McDougle, Offensive Hustle Award - Dustin Sagedahl, Defensive Hustle Award - Josh Stamer, Verick Gray, Ryan Winters, Korey Ebel, Defensive Scout Team Player of the Week - Matt Chambers, Offensive Scout Team Player of the Week - Paul Tschetter

FRESHMAN EYES RECORD: In last week's release, it was incorrectly reported that freshman running back Dusty Stamer had 380 yards heading into the St. Cloud game when he had a total of 280 yards. After his 123 yard rushing performance, Stamer now has 403 yards on the season, which leaves him just 85 yards behind Emmit Huston, who rushed for 488 yards as a freshman in 1978. Against St. Cloud, Stamer scored his fourth touchdown of the season, a 19-yard first quarter run and he had a 50-yard burst called back because of penalty. Stamer's season high is 139 yards on 14 carries vs. Truman State in the DakotaDome Sept. 16. In that game, he had a 79-yard touchdown run.

INDIVIDUAL LEADERS IN NCC: As a team the Coyotes lead the NCC in turnover margin at 2.17 per game. The Coyotes have recovered six fumbles and intercepted a league-high 13 passes for 19 total turnovers by opponents. The Coyotes have lost four fumbles and thrown two interceptions which gives South Dakota a +13 turnover margin. The Coyotes have permitted the fewest sacks in the NCC, permitting just five in six games. South Dakota is fifth in total defense (307.8 yards per game). The Coyotes are third in kickoff returns, averaging 22.3 on 23 returns for 513 yards. Individually, junior punter Filip Filipovic leads the NCC with 42.1 yards per kick (42-1,768). Senior cornerback Russell Burwell leads the NCC with five interceptions for 59 yards while teammate Rory Triplett is second with four picks. Burwell is first in passes defending with 10 (five breakups, five interceptions) and Triplett is third with six (two breakups and four interceptions). James Augustus is third in kickoff returns, averaging 29.4 per return (9-265). Dusty Stamer is fifth in rushing with 403 yards on 75 carries for a 5.4-yard average and four touchdowns. He is seventh in all-purpose yards at 119.8 per game (599 total yards). Adam Hicks is second in field goals, converting 11-16 for 68.8 percent. Josh Stamer is third with five sacks, all unassisted, which is tops in the NCC. Stamer is also third in tackles for loss, recording 12 for -34 yards.

COACHES: John Austin, a 1980 graduate of South Dakota, is in his second year as head coach at South Dakota. Austin, 8-9 at South Dakota in his first collegiate coaching stint, spent nine years at the University of Iowa under head coach Hayden Fry (now retired), including four years as the team's defensive line coach. He was also Iowa's football recruiting coordinator and assistant offensive line coach for three years. With Austin as Iowa's recruiting coordinator, the 1994 recruiting class was rated third best in the Big Ten and 16th nationally. At Iowa, he coached three all-Big Ten linemen and two All-Americans. Seven players he recruited are playing in the NFL including four of whom he coached. Several of those players have returned to the USD campus to help Austin reshape the football program. He had a 22-21 record at Watertown High School from 1985-89, including a 9-3 mark in 1987 and an ESD conference championship. Twice, he was named to coach the South Dakota High School All-Star game. He was also a head coach at LaJunta, Co., high school and he spent the 1980-81 season as a student assistant at USD. John and his wife, Jill, have three children: Kelsie, Samantha and Erin. Pat Behrns, coaching his seventh season at UNO, has a 79-58 collegiate record including 43-31 at UNO and 36-27 in six years at North Dakota (1980-85). Behrns was named UNO's 17th head football coach in December 1993. By 1996 the Mavericks had won their first uncontested NCC championship and competed in the NCAA Division II playoffs. In 1998, the Mavericks shared another conference title and earned a second post-season berth. After starting out 1-10 and 3-8 in his first two years at UNO, Behrns has led the Mavericks to 39 wins in the 52 games. He was named the coach in the year in the NCC in 1996 and co-coach of the year in 1998. A native of David City, Neb., he served as an assistant coach at Utah State from 1986-91 and as the offensive coordinator at the University of Nevada-Las Vegas in 1992 and 1993 before taking the UNO job. A 1972 graduate of Dakota State College, he has a master's degree from New Mexico State University in 1974. He and his wife, Suzanne, have five children.

COYOTE ASSISTANT COACHES: Brent Salem (Northern Arizona '93), offensive coordinator, quarterbacks, running backs, Brad Salem (Augustana, SD, '92), recruiting coordinator, receivers, tight ends, Mark Hodson (Pacific Lutheran '91), offensive line, Bob Forsyth (Iowa '85), defensive secondary, Brett Chambers (Iowa '96), defensive line, strength coach

UNO COACHES: The offensive coordinator is Lance Leipold in his seventh year at UNO but his first calling plays. The defensive coordinator is D.J. Vokolek in his fourth season at UNO as a fulltime coach and seventh overall. It is also his first year as head of the defense. The offensive line coach is Kevin Lightner in his third season and the defensive line coach is Brad McCaslin who his in his first season as a fulltime coach and fourth overall. Fred Reed is the secondary coach and he is in his second season at UNO.

LAST WEEK - UNO OVER UNC, 17-7: Justin Kammrad blocked a fourth-quarter punt and Mark Purdy fell on the ball in the end zone to help the Mavericks defeat Northern Colorado, 17-7 at Al Caniglia Field in Omaha. Adam Wright had 151 yards on 37 carries and clinched the Mavs' 23rd straight regular season win at home with a two-yard scoring run with 1:59 left to play. The Mavs held the Bears to just 113 yards in total offense.

COMMENTS FROM COACH AUSTIN: On the Win over St. Cloud: "Overall I am very pleased with the way we started the game. The kids were highly motivated and came out and moved the ball up the field. We did give up some yardage defensively but we also forced some key turnovers. We jumped ahead which took them out of what they wanted to do. I was very pleased that our team played hard. After an emotional win over Augustana, a letdown could have happened but our senior leadership stepped up to lead by example. Defensively we are doing good things. The key is to stop the run. We want to force teams to throw. It was a good learning experience in that we had a lead and we managed that very well. I like the type of confidence our team is developing. The team has a great attitude. On UNO: They are a very talented team with a solid ground game and one of the nation's best running backs. He will be difficult to stop. They are very strong defensively and they fly to the ball. It is very important that we get everyone to come out for this weekend's Dakota Day game. It will be real advantageous to have a big crowd and for them to get into the game early. We are urging everyone to bring a friend."

ABOUT NEBRASKA-OMAHA: UNO, who finished fourth in the NCC with a 5-4 record and were 7-4 in 1999, lost 13 starters and returned 13 starters while returning 29 letterwinners and losing 31 in 2000. UNO has an enrollment of 13,250 students. The Mavericks wear Crimson and Black uniforms. Since starting football in 1911, UNO has an overall record of 354-347-30.

WRIGHT ENJOYING SOLID SEASON: Senior tailback Adam Wright, who played at Omaha North High School, led the NCAA Division II in rushing entering this past weekend and added to his career rushing record total with his fourth straight 150 yard game. He had 151 yards in the Mavericks 17-7 win over Northern Colorado this past Saturday (Oct. 7). A year ago, Wright had 217 rushing yards against South Dakota, a rushing mark he tied this year in a 36-0 win over St. Cloud on Sept. 30.

THE LAST TIME SOUTH DAKOTA . . . ~ defeated Nebraska-Omaha, 55-37 in 1995 at Omaha ~ defeated Nebraska Omaha at the DakotaDome, 30-16 in 1994 ~ won at home: Sept. 30, 15-10 over Augustana College ~ defeated NCC opponent at home: Sept. 30, over Augustana College, 15-10 in the DakotaDome ~ defeated NCC opponent on the road: 37-0 at St. Cloud, Oct. 7, 2000 ~ had a 100 yard rusher in a conference game: Dusty Stamer, 123 yards on 25 carries vs. St. Cloud, Oct. 7, 2000 ~ had a 200-yard rusher in a conference game: Jamel White, 285 yards vs. Minnesota State, Mankato, Nov. 11, 1999 ~ had quarterback with 200 yards passing against NCC school: Ryan Justice (223 yards - career-high) Oct. 23, 1999 in 35-27 loss to Northern Colorado at Greeley, Colo.

AFCA POLL: Northwest Missouri State (6-0) with 26 first place votes, continues to lead the American Football Coaches Association Division II Coaches' Poll (as of Oct. 10). North Dakota State moved into the second spot, up from fourth a week ago, and gained one first place vote. UC-Davis (5-0) also receied a first-place vote based on their 48-28 win over Western Oregon last weekend. Catawba (N.C) is fourth with a 6-0 record and West Georgia (6-0) fifth. The remainder of the top ten includes North Dakota (5-1), Carson-Newman (5-1), Nebraska-)maha (5-1), Delta St. (6-0) and Indiana, Pa., (4-1). South Dakota State, eighth a week ago, fell to 14th with the loss to Mankato State last Saturday. In all four NCC teams remain in the top 25 teams in the country.

KEY NCC MATCHUP: #2 North Dakota State will host #14 South Dakota State in the Fargodome this weekend.

INJURIES: Sophomore running back Kary Gantt will not play.

COYOTE CAPTAINS: Seniors Josh Stamer of Sutherland, Iowa, Nate Irwin of Cherokee, Iowa, Steve Young of Custer, S.D., Scott Larson of Mobridge, S.D., Miguel Regalado of Peona, Calif., and Lee Bunge of Hartley, Iowa.

ALL-NCC RETURNEES: Linebacker Josh Stamer, offensive tackle Josh Burr, defensive back Kaseem Gaines

NFL NEWS: Former Coyotes Jamel White (1998-99) and Matt Chatham (1994-98) have been signed to NFL contracts. Both players have seen action this season. The Cleveland Browns signed White, a first-team all-NCC and second team all-American selection for the Coyotes in 1999, after being a late cut by the Indianapolis Colts. White, who set or tied 14 school records a year ago, has six kickoffs returns for 104 yards including a long of 40 yards which he had against the Arizona Cardinals in a 29-21 loss. White also had two carries for six yards in his first NFL action as a running back in a regular season game. Chatham has signed a two-year contract with New England and recorded a tackle in their opening game loss to Tampa Bay, 21-16.

NCC UPDATE: Home teams posted a 2-3 record last week and are 22-10 on the season. The NCC has a 13-6 record against other conferences this season.

AGAINST THE NCC: The Coyotes have winning records against five of the nine other NCC schools: Nebraska-Omaha (24-15-1), Morningside (57-28-5), South Dakota State University (49-45-7), Minnesota State-Mankato (14-9), and Augustana College (36-18-0). South Dakota's record against the other NCC schools is as follows: North Dakota (28-48-5), North Dakota State University (24-45-3), St. Cloud State University (8-11-0), Northern Colorado (11-18-0).

RADIO: The Coyotes game will be offered on the Coyote Sports Network and through the Internet. The flagship station is KVTK (1570) in Vermillion, S.D. The other members of the Coyote Sports Network include KSDR-AM (1480), Watertown, KQRN-FM (107.3), Mitchell, S.D., KTOQ-AM (1340), Rapid City. Kevin Culhane will serve as the voice of the Coyotes home and away during the 2000 football season. Jim Hockett provides color. Joe Van Goor will host Coyote Game Day coverage one hour and 15 minutes prior to gametime. Mike Daly will serve as the Coyote Game Day analyst.

COYOTES ON THE INTERNET: In addition to the radio broadcast, Coyote fans can tune to the live game play-by-play on the internet at www.usdcoyotes.com or www.broadcastsports.com and also they can listen by calling Teamline at 1-800-846-4700 (team code - 6056). On Teamline fans can hear the live radio play-by-play of the Coyotes from any telephone in the world.

JOHN AUSTIN SHOW: Inside information about the Coyotes football program will be offered through a Thursday night coaches show on all sports radio KVTK AM (1570). The USD Sports Magazine Show begins at 6:05 p.m., followed by The John Austin Show at 6:30 p.m.

RADIO: The Coyotes' game with St. Cloud will be broadcast on KVTK AM (1570) by the Coyote Sports Network and through the Internet. The flagship station is KVTK (1570) in Vermillion, S.D. The other members of the Coyote Sports Network include KSDR-AM (1480), Watertown, KORN-FM (1490), Mitchell, S.D., KTOQ-AM (1340), Rapid City. Kevin Culhane will serve as the voice of the Coyotes home and away during the 2000 football season. Jim Hockett provides color. Joe Van Goor will host Coyote Game Day coverage one hour and 30 minutes prior to gametime. Mike Daly will serve as the Coyote Game Dayanalyst.

TRADITION OF EXCELLENCE: South Dakota has a long history of excellence in football. Not only have the Coyotes won nine North Central Conference titles, they have had 41 all-Americans and 204 all-NCC performers, including 17 NCC MVPs. South Dakota has an all-time record of 447-422-34. The Coyotes last won the NCC in 1978 although the 1986 team went to the NCAA Division II championship where they fell to fellow NCC mate North Dakota State, 27-7. The Coyotes fielded their first team in 1889, winning their first NCC title in 1927. Other conference-winning teams included squads in 1938, 1939, 1947, 1951, 1972, 1973, 1974, and 1978. In the Coyotes' proud history, 23 individuals have served as head coach with James Henderson holding the best winning percentage of .750 (15-5, 1911-13). The Coyotes have had four unbeaten squads in the NCC including 1927 (V.E. Montgomery), 5-0-0, 1938 (Harry Gamage), 5-0-0, 1947 (Harry Gamage), 4-0-0, and 1951 (Harry Gamage), 6-0-0. Perhaps the greatest Coyote squad was the 1902 squad, which rolled up a 9-0 record and held every opponent without points as South Dakota recorded a 9-0 season under A.H. Whittemore. The 1968 and 1972 squads, coached by Joe Salem, were both 9-1. B.H. Morrison was the first Coyote head coach, then called a manager, and he totaled a 5-2-2 mark.