Oct. 24, 2000

VERMILLION, S.D. - South Dakota (5-3, 3-3) at Morningside (1-7, 0-6) GAMETIME: 1 p.m., Saturday, Oct. 28, Roberts Stadium

MATCHUP: South Dakota (5-3, 3-3), who have won three of their last four games, will try and move above .500 in the North Central Conference when they travel to Morningside on Saturday, Oct. 28 at Roberts Stadium in Sioux City, Iowa. The Coyotes are currently tied for fourth in the NCC. The Coyotes are coming off a 27-6 win over Northern Colorado, snapping a three-game losing streak against the Bears. Morningside (1-7, 0-6) lost a road game to St. Cloud State, 23-20.

SERIES: The Coyotes lead the series 57-28-5, including a 21-0 win over Morningside in the ninth game of the 1999 season. The series dates to 1898 when the two teams tied 0-0. After that first meeting, the Coyotes won 10 of the next 11 (0-0 tie in 1907). South Dakota won 15 games in a row from 1976-90. Morningside won seven in a row from 1959-65. The Coyotes' largest margin of victory was a 60-7 win in 1973. Morningside defeated South Dakota 41-0 in 1965.

LAST TIME: South Dakota shut out Morningside on Oct. 30, 1999, limiting the Mustangs to four first downs and 97 yards total offense. The Coyotes controlled the clock behind the running of Jamel White who had 196 yards and two touchdowns. The Coyotes also scored on a 14-yard pass from Ryan Justice to Jesse Haines. Justice threw for 157 yards.

UPCOMING SCHEDULE: After Morningside, the Coyotes will travel to South Dakota State for a 1 p.m. game Saturday, Nov. 4 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., Saturday, Nov. 11 in the DakotaDome.

COYOTES 6TH IN MIDWEST RANKINGS: South Dakota has moved from eighth to sixth in the Midwest Regional rankings released Monday. Northwest Missouri State remains at number one with Nebraska-Omaha moving to number two. The rest of the top 10 in the Midwest Region include North Dakota State, North Dakota, Pittsburg State, South Dakota, Missouri Western State, Augustana, Truman State and Winona State. In the other regions, the top teams are Millersville (Northeast), Catawba (South), and UC-Davis (West).

JOSH STAMER UPDATE: All-American linebacker candidate Josh Stamer, a senior from Sutherland, Iowa, has recorded 57 tackles after eight games, including 34 unassisted stops and five sacks. He now has 16 tackles for losses. Stamer is third in the NCC in sacks with five and tied for second in the NCC in tackles for losses with 16 for 40 yards. For his career, Stamer has 138 tackles, 31 tackles for losses (121 yards), 14.5 sacks, two fumble recoveries and three interceptions.

DUSTY STAMER SETS FRESHMAN RECORD: With 90 yards rushing last week against Northern Colorado, freshman Dusty Stamer established a new freshman rushing record at South Dakota. During Saturday's game, Stamer moved past Emmitt Huston, who had 488 yards in 1978. Stamer has 539 yards, which ranks seventh in the NCC. Stamer, who has five touchdowns, had a season-high 139 yards against Truman State in the DakotaDome Sept. 16. In that game, he had a 79-yard touchdown run.

BURWELL HAS GRUBER IN SIGHTS: Russel Burwell, who is the NCC leader in interceptions with seven and ranks in the top five nationally, is just the sixth Coyote to record seven interceptions in a season. Burwell joins the company of all-time leader Bob Gruber, who had 11 interceptions in 1979, as well as John Sanders (1971), Todd Salat (1986), Steve Adams (1988) and Bill Moats (1978), all who had seven interceptions in a single season.

HICKS MOVING UP ALL-TIME SCORING CHARTS: With 57 points this season, senior kicker Adam Hicks has moved into ninth place in all-time career scoring (159 points). His nine points against Northern Colorado moved him ahead of Barry Blue (1971-72), who had 154 points, and Jamel White (1998-99), who had 156 points.

GAINES RECORDS THIRD DEFENSIVE TOUCHDOWN AS COYOTE: Senior cornerback Kaseem Gaines of Trenton, N.J., had a 29-yard interception return for a touchdown last week, which gave him three defensive scores during his career at South Dakota.

TEAM NUMBERS: The Coyotes are averaging 21.9 points per game with 175 in eight games. They have 19 touchdowns, 13 field goals, 18 extra points, one two-point conversion and one safety. South Dakota has 129 first downs including 52 by rush, 66 by pass and 11 by penalty. The Coyotes are permitting 165 yards passing and 127.4 rushing yards per game and have allowed 120 first downs (48 by rush, 62 by pass and 10 by penalty).

INDIVIDUAL LEADERS IN NCC: As a team the Coyotes continue to lead the NCC in turnover margin at 1.75 per game. The Coyotes have recovered six fumbles and intercepted league-high 17 passes for 23 total turnovers by opponents. The Coyotes have lost four fumbles and thrown five interceptions which gives South Dakota a +14 turnover margin. The turnover margin is a major turnaround for the Coyotes who had a -12 ratio in 1999. The Coyotes are tied for second in pass defense efficiency (91.7) with league leader Nebraska-Omaha. South Dakota has permitted the fewest sacks in the NCC (6), second in field goals (13-18), first in PAT kicking (18-18), and third in time of possession (32:31 per game). The Coyotes are fifth in the NCC in total defense, allowing 292.4 yards per game. Individually, Burwell has seven interceptions to lead the NCC and he also leads passes defended with 15. Senior Rory Triplett is fourth in interceptions with four while senior Kaseem Gaines is eighth with two picks. In other categories, James Augustus is second in kickoff returns (29.6), Filip Filipovic is third in the conference in punting (41.5 yards per punt), and Adam Hicks is fourth in scoring at 7.1 points per game. Hicks is second in field goals (1.63 per game), second in field goal percentage (13-18, 72.2%), and tied for first in PAT kicking percentage (100%, 18-18). Josh Stamer is tied for third in the NCC in sacks with five and tied for second in tackles for losses with 16 for 40 yards. Dusty Stamer is seventh in rushing with 539 yards.

NCAA LEADERS: As of Oct. 21, the Coyotes were second in the nation in turnover margin behind Winston-Salem, which has a +16 margin.. Russel Burwell was second in the NCAA Division II with seven interceptions. Filipovic was fifth in punting.

COYOTE PLAYERS OF THE WEEK: Defensive MVP - Kaseem Gaines (Trenton, N.J.), Special Team MVP - Adam Hicks (Sioux Falls), Offensive Hustle Award - Eric Tarasewicz (Cottage Grove, Minn.), Defensive Hustle Award - Korey Ebel (Hartley, Iowa), Defensive Scout Team Player of the Week - Tadd Jones (Hampton, Iowa), Offensive Scout Team Player of the Week - Jesse Worsley (Caledonia, Minn.)

COACHES: John Austin, a 1980 graduate of South Dakota, is in his second year as head coach at South Dakota. Austin, 9-10 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.

Dave Elliott, a 1975 graduate of Michigan, is in his fifth season at Morningside. Elliott was offensive coordinator and assistant head coach at Winona State University before he was named Morningside's 22nd head coach in December 1995. He has also been an assistant coach at Iowa State, Michigan, Miami, Toledo and Washington State. Elliott was a letterwinner as a defensive back under Bo Schembechler and played in the 1972 Rose Bowl and 1975 Hula Bowl. His father, Peter Elliott, is a former head coach at California, Illinois, Nebraska and Miami, and is the only coach in college football history to lead both a Big Ten-conference champion and a PAC 10 conference champion to the Rose Bowl. Elliott is 7-45 at Morningside.

LAST WEEK - MORNINGSIDE LOSES CLOSE ONE TO ST. CLOUD STATE, 23-20: Reserve quarterback Ryan Neuberger scored two fourth quarter touchdowns to lead St. Cloud State to a 23-20 come-from-behind victory over Morningside on Homecoming at Selke Field. The Huskies were led on the ground by senior Bill Stallings, who rushed for 127 yards on 20 carries. Brad Sitzmann paced the Morningside offense, which outgained SCSU 401-283, with 151 yards on 32 rushes. White was 19-32 in the air for 231 yards. Mick Peterson led an inspired Huskies' defense with a season-high 20 tackles, including one sack. Isaiah Harris added six tackles, including three for a loss and a sack, and two pass break-ups. J.J. White figured in all three of the Mustang's touchdowns, including a two-yard run and touchdown passes of seven yards to Erick Turner and two yards to Clint Church. White was 19-32 for 231 yards.

COMMENTS FROM COACH AUSTIN: On the win against UNC: "I was pleased how hard the team played but I have been pleased with their effort all season. We still must continue to improve with our execution. Kaseem Gaines had a big play, which got us going early. After the Bears blocked a punt early, we had a big stop, which was huge. I felt we played really well in the second half on both offense and defense. It (the win) is a positive step for us."

On Morningside: "Last week was not indicative of how well the Mustangs have played this season. They played Nebraska-Omaha as tough as anyone has this season. This is a big rivalry game. They are a very good football team and we must played well to win. It is important for us to execute on offense and defense."

ABOUT MORNINGSIDE: The Mustangs have a 143-330-17 all-time record against current NCC league members and are 323-489-33 overall. Last year, Morningside was 3-8.

THE LAST TIME SOUTH DAKOTA ... ~ defeated Morningside, 21-0, Oct. 30 in the DakotaDome ~ lost to Morningside, 38-31, in Sioux City, Iowa in 1998 ~ defeated a NCC opponent on the road: 37-0 at St. Cloud State, Oct. 7, 2000 ~ had a 100-yard rusher in a conference game: Dusty Stamer, 123 yards on 25 carries vs. St. Cloud State, 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 a NCC school: Ryan Justice (223 yards - career-high) Oct. 23, 1999 in 35-27 loss to Northern Colorado at Greeley, Colo.

AFCA POLL RELEASED: Northwest Missouri State received all 28 first place votes and at 8-0 remained atop the American Football Coach Association Division II Coaches' Poll as of Oct. 24.

NDSU, last week ranked no. 2, fell to no. 8 with a 6-3 loss to Nebraska-Omaha, who moved to no. 6 in the poll. The top 10 teams in the AFCA poll include Northwest Missouri State, UC-Davis, Catawba (N.C.), West Georgia, Carson-Newman (Tenn.), UNO, North Dakota, NDSU, Delta State (Miss.) and Indiana (Pa.). South Dakota received votes (16) in the poll.

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 14 kickoff returns for 330 yards including a long of 40 yards. White has four carries for six yards and also has an unassisted tackle. 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 NOTES: Home teams posted a 5-0 record and are 30-13 during the 2000 season. No. 8 Nebraska-Omaha's 6-3 win over no. 2 ranked North Dakota State was an old-time defensive affair. The Mavericks are 7-1 this season including 6-0 in the NCC. North Dakota and North Dakota State are tied for second at 5-1 and both teams are 7-1 overall. The Coyotes are tied with Augustana and South Dakota State for fourth place in the NCC at 3-3. According to the NCC office, it has been 58 games (1995) since the Mavericks has been held to six points or less (23-6 loss to Northern Colorado). It has been 161 games since UNO won a game with a tally of six points or less. The last time UNO won a game by two field goals was in 1979 when they defeated Northern Colorado, 6-3. In action this week (not including USD), the Mavericks will travel to South Dakota State, who lost 42-0 at Grand Forks last weekend. North Dakota State will travel to Minnesota State, Mankato. Augustana is at no. 6 North Dakota and St. Cloud State travels to Northern Colorado.

AGAINST THE NCC: The Coyotes have winning records against five of the nine other NCC schools: Nebraska-Omaha (23-17-1), 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 (12-18-0).

RADIO: The Coyotes game will be offered on the Coyote Sports Network and through the Internet. The flagship station is KVTK-AM (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.

FIRST YEAR OF FOOTBALL: 1889

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 448-422-34. 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.