Nov. 29, 2000

VERMILLION, S.D. -- - Two members of The University of South Dakota football team have been named to the 2000 Daktronics All-Midwest Region football team as selected by members of the College Sports Information Directors of America (CoSida).

Coyote senior defensive back Russell Burwell of Canoga Park, Calif., was named to the first team defense on the Daktronics All-Region Team. He led the North Central Conference (NCC) with eight interceptions, which placed him eight nationally. Burwell also led the NCC with 25 pass breakups.

South Dakota linebacker Josh Stamer was named second team all-region. Stamer of Sutherland, Iowa, led the NCC with 21 tackles for loss (-56) and finished fourth in quarterback sacks. He led South Dakota with 72 total tackles.

Burwell and Stamer were key contributors on a South Dakota team that enjoyed a turnaround season in 2000, recording an 8-3 record. It is the Coyotes' best record since 1995 (8-3). During the season, the Coyote defense recorded one shutout and limited opponents to less than 15 points in seven games. The Coyotes limited five opponents to 10 or fewer points. The Coyotes rolled up 102 TFLs for -345 yards and recorded 29 sacks for -205 yards.

The Coyotes were ranked in the top 15 nationally in three categories. South Dakota was tied for sixth in turnover margin (+16) at 1.45 per game. The South Dakota had 22 interceptions and 10 fumble recoveries for a total of 32 turnovers by opponents while the Coyotes gave up the ball just 16 times. The Coyotes were eighth in pass defense efficiency (84.0) and 15th in rushing defense, permitting 101.1 yards per game. South Dakota broke up 53 passes and blocked three kicks. Burwell's eight interceptions was the second most in Coyote history (Bob Gruber, 11, 1979). The Coyotes led the NCC in seven team or individual categories including turnover margin (+16), pass defense efficiency, field goals, sacks against, and individual categories. The 2000 team is sponsored by Daktronics, Inc., a world leader in scoring, and timing and programmable display systems for virtually every sport at every level of competition. The NCC had 14 first-team picks and 28 overall. The players picked to the first team will advance to the ballot for the Daktronics All-America team to be released Dec. 13. Midwest Region football team as selected by members of the College Sports Information Directors of America (CoSida).