March 16, 2001

South Dakota football begins its spring season with enthusiasm, high energy and momentum after one of the most successful football seasons in several years. The resurgence in Coyote football is a result of the 8-3 mark recorded in 2000 by the Coyotes, which won four consecutive games to close the 2000 season. The eight wins was the most by a Coyote football team in a season since 1995. The Coyotes won their final four games of the season and six of the past seven games. While the Coyotes have high prospects for the coming season they do so with guarded optimism as South Dakota lost 21 seniors to graduation.

"We have a lot of holes to fill and questions to be answered concerning this football team," said head coach John Austin, who has registered a 9-9 mark in the North Central Conference and 12-10 overall in two years at South Dakota. "We are pleased with what we accomplished a year ago and very proud of the group of seniors that made it happen. But as spring ball opens, we need the underclassman to step into leadership roles and continue this program on a road of success," said Austin.

This spring, South Dakota has 91 players in camp. The spring game will be held March 31 at a site to be announced. South Dakota has begun spring ball earlier than usual because the DakotaDome roof will be replaced with construction beginning at the end of March.

South Dakota, ranked sixth in the Midwest Region and in the top 30 in some national polls at the conclusion of the season last fall, finished with a four-game winning streak that was the Coyotes' best since the 1987 team opened 5-0. Three years ago, the Coyotes suffered through a tough 3-8 season, losing the final eight games of the season. Then Austin and his coaching staff stepped aboard the sinking ship and began plugging the holes. A year ago, the Coyotes made significant headway, going 4-7, including a 3-6 NCC mark. Then in 2000, the Coyotes turned a 2-0 start into an 8-3 season, the best year since 1995.

A simple look at the numbers shows the significant improvement that the Coyotes have made in two seasons. Two years ago, opponents outscored the Coyotes 318-181. Last year the Coyotes improved their offense but still struggled defensively as opponents held a 346-275 scoring advantage. In 2000, the Coyotes turned the numbers around by outscoring opponents 270-189. South Dakota averaged 24.5 points per game while allowing 18.5. After week four, the Coyotes outscored opponents 181-75. South Dakota held a 4,793-4,282 total yards advantage.

Perhaps the biggest surprise of the 2000 season was the play of a defense that had allowed 346 points a year ago. While Austin expected an improved defense in 2000, the progress of this unit was exceptional. This season, the Coyotes limited opponents to 15 points or less in seven games. In five games, South Dakota allowed 10 or fewer points including one shutout. The Coyotes rolled up 102 TFLs for 345 yards and recorded 29 sacks for 205 yards. The improvement in the Coyotes' fortunes is perhaps best exemplified through turnover margin. The Coyotes finished sixth in the nation with a +16 margin, which is a major improvement over 1999-00 in which South Dakota had a -12 in turnover margin. This season, South Dakota had 10 fumble recoveries and an NCC-high 22 interceptions as they forced 32 turnovers. The Coyotes committed just 16 turnovers offensively which gave them a +16 turnover margin which not only led the NCC but bettered second place North Dakota by six turnovers. In this turnaround season, South Dakota broke up 53 passes and blocked three kicks.

Offensively, the Coyotes outgained opponents both on the ground and through the air. South Dakota had 452 rushes for 1,727 yards (3.8 avg) and 14 touchdowns while opponents rushed for 1,112 rushing yards on 367 carries (3.02 avg). Through the air, South Dakota had 1,946 yards and 14 touchdowns while opponents had 1,699 yards and nine touchdowns. The offense averaged 333.9 total yards per game.

Position-by-Position Spring Football Prospectus

As the football team turns its attention to 2001, the spring football session will be about replacing lost starters, building depth and finding the pieces needed to take another step forward, according to Austin. The Coyotes return 10 starters and lose 14 from the 8-3 squad that finished in a tie for third place in the North Central Conference last fall. The Coyotes will have 32 returning letterwinners while losing 21 letterwinners to graduation. "We are doing some good things already. This is an athletic group that only lacks experience," said Austin, a 1980 graduate of South Dakota.

"We have a lot of work to do this spring," said Austin. "We want to develop a solid two-deep on our offense, defense and special teams. This past season we did not have a lot of depth. Right now we have some solid starters returning but we have several question marks," he said.

Key Returnees On Offense:

QUARTERBACK: Junior quarterback Ryan Justice (6'3, 211, Ankeny, Iowa) enters the spring No. 1 at quarterback after an outstanding sophomore season, completing 151 passes in 303 attempts for 1,826 yard passing with 13 touchdown tosses and just eight interceptions. Justice, who had 112 yards rushing, led the Coyotes in total offense with 176.2 yards per game. Redshirt freshman Chris Mikkelson (6'3, 182, Gregory, S.D.) is the backup and he will also play wide receiver.

RUNNING BACK: Sophomore Dusty Stamer (5'9, 178, Grand Island, Neb.) had a standout freshman campaign as he finished third in the North Central Conference with 1,034 yards rushing in 210 attempts and seven touchdowns. Stamer, who had three touchdown runs or receptions of 64 yards or longer, have five 100-yard rushing games, one 200-yard game (242 vs. SDSU) and a game in which he had 100 yards rushing and receiving (Minnesota State, Mankato). The freshman sensation broke the freshman rushing record and recorded the 5th best rushing season ever at South Dakota. He set a freshman record with his 242 yard rushing effort vs. South Dakota State. Stamer also had 12 receptions for 250 yards and two touchdowns including a 77-yard scoring play. While Stamer had an outstanding year, the Coyotes need another player to step forward and generate consistent yards as a backup at tailback. Clearly, Stamer's size doesn't permit him to take the pounding he took last year when he was virtually South Dakota's only healthy running back at the end of the year. "We want to improve our big play ability in both our running and passing games," said Austin. Trying to make an impact this spring will be senior Eric Tarasevicz (5'11, 202, Cottage Grove, Minn.), who had 30 carries, 148 yards rushing, two touchdowns in 2000, as well as sophomore Collin Busse (5'10, 193, Hartford, S.D.), who had had 41 carries for 83 yards during 2000. Others competing at tailback includes redshirt freshmen Thomas Martin (6'2, 214, Sioux Falls, S.D.) and Trevor Hightree (5'10, 172, Homer, Neb.). At fullback, several new faces will try to win the starting spot this spring. The Coyotes lost two-year starter, Mike Weister (37 carries, 210 yards, two touchdowns). Competing for the starting role will be senior Ryan Garry (5'11, 227, Humboldt, S.D.), redshirt freshman Rob Cupich (6'1, 236, Omaha, Neb.), senior Rusty Hughell (5'9, 217, Omaha, Neb.) and senior Dustin Sagedahl (6'3, 253, Spicer, Minn). Sagedahl was an all-NCC tight end a year ago but Austin plans to work out of the fullback position in various situations.

WIDE RECEIVER: South Dakota lost both starters at wide receiver (Steve Young and Jeremiah Charlson) but has a quick and fast stable of receivers who only lack experience. However, the Coyotes' will return sophomore Charles Johnson (5'10, 157, Clewiston, Fla.), the Coyotes' leading receiver in 2000 with 34 catches for 380 yards. Johnson had three touchdowns, including a 50-yard scoring play. Sophomore Ronnie McDougle (5'10, 159, Pompano Beach, Fla.) made several big plays a year ago and has the speed to beat teams deep. He had 11 catches for 200 yards and two touchdowns, including one that went for 56 yards. Sophomore Aaron Meline (6'2, 188, Urbandale, Iowa) played special teams a year ago and will try to increase his playing time. Others expected to compete for time include sophomore John Kayl (6'0, 189, Sioux City, Iowa), redshirt freshman Michael Williams (5'9, 151, Tampa, Fla.) and sophomore Chris Meehan (5'10, 181, Hartford, S.D.).

TIGHT END: Sagedahl returns as the starter here. He had 30 catches for 307 yards and two touchdowns. Also expected to compete for time will be junior Freddie Mitchell (6'3, 234, St. Louis, Mo.) and redshirt freshman Paul Tschetter (6'4, 229, Sioux Falls, S.D.)

OFFENSIVE LINE: Three starters will return for South Dakota on the offensive front, including senior Josh Burr (6'8, 301, Lancaster, Wis.), junior Neil Ryan (6'4, 296, Cedar Rapids, Iowa), and junior James Terwilliger (6'3, 283, Guthrie Center, Iowa). However the Coyotes need to develop a starter at center and tackle while trying to build depth on the offensive line. Burr will miss the spring season due to surgery while sophomore Todd Bladt (6'3, 267, Harlan, Iowa), who is the leading contender to start at center next fall, has had mono and may miss most of the spring ball practices. On the bright side, junior Hunter Roberts (6'5, 280, Pierre, S.D.) has had a strong offseason, and will contend for a starting role. Sophomore Vinnie Olson (6'3, 323, Pierre, S.D.) will also be fighting for a starting spot at tackle. Other competing for time will be junior college transfer Eddie Martinez (6'4, 297, Los Angeles, Calif.), sophomore Pat Dickes (6'3, 284, Sioux Falls, S.D.), and redshirt freshman Nick Petersen (6'9, 272, Sioux Falls, S.D.)

KICKING: Senior Filip Filipovic (6'2, 216, Belgrade, Yugoslavia) enters spring ball off a solid year when he averaged 40.7 yards per kick, which was second best in the NCC and sixth nationally. He placed 15 punts inside the 20-yard line. He and junior Jarrod Edelen (6'0, 210, Vermillion, S.D.) will also take care of placekicking.

DEFENSIVE STANDOUTS:

With just three starters returning on defense, Coyote defensive coaches have to find players who can step in and play right away. "We have questions marks on defense. We have an athletic group of young men who just lack experience," said Austin.

DEFENSIVE FRONT: This should be a solid area for the Coyotes, but like other areas on the squad, developing depth is critical. Junior Bill Gassen (6'0, 281, Rapid City, S.D.), leads the group. Gassen had 59 tackles including 31 unassisted. He recorded 12 tackles for a loss of -38 yards and recorded two tackles. He had two forced fumbles and two fumble recoveries. Against league champ Nebraska-Omaha, Gassen had 17 tackles from his nose guard position. Also back will be senior Wes Clubb (6'1, 295, Sigourney, Iowa), who had 15 tackles, including four tackles for loss and one quarterback sack as well as sophomore M.J. Sonnefeld (6'3, 251, Rapid City, S.D.) who saw limited action a year ago. Sophomore Shawn Kenworthy (6'3, 228, Ft. Pierre, S.D.) had 15 tackles, five tackles for losses of -33 yards and three quarterback sacks last season. Others vying for time will be Senior Dave Bentz (6'4, 257, Peterson, Iowa), a transfer, who started for Morningside a year ago, as well as senior John Paricka (6'2, 297, Waterloo, Iowa) , a transfer from West Virginia. Others competing for time include senior Tad Jones (6'3, 261, Hampton, Iowa) and junior Aaron Dietrich (6'2, 261, Emmetsburg, Iowa), who had 21 tackles including six tackles for loss of -21 yards and two quarterback sacks in 2000.

LINEBACKERS: Junior Korey Ebel (6'3, 235, Hartley, Iowa) who had 56 tackles, including 33 unassisted stops, is the only returning starter at linebacker. Ebel, who had five tackles for loss, is a rock at inside linebacker and will be expected to provide leadership for the rest of the group, which is talented and athletic, but inexperienced. At the other inside slot, Drew Barns (6'2, 229, Rapid City, S.D.) will battle Dont? Coleman (6'2, 243, Trenton, N.J., Hargrave Military Academy). Others competing for time this spring at inside linebacker will be redshirt freshman Oakly Haines (6'1, 202, White Lake, S.D.), redshirt freshman Mike Meekins (6'2, 210, Superior, Neb.) and junior Damien Fischer (5'10, 216, Sioux Falls, S.D.). The Coyotes have big shoes to fill at outside linebacker with the loss of honorable mention all-American Josh Stamer. Expected to step in and fill the "Sam" linebacker slot will be junior college transfer Richard Rodriquez (5'11, 211, Chicago Simeon, Ill.), sophomore Josh Gassen (6'0, 205, Rapid City, S.D.) or sophomore Dan Chatham (6'0, 219, Sioux City, Iowa).

SECONDARY: Senior Mark Blackburn (6'1, 214, Moreno Valley, Calif.) heads the returnees in the secondary. From his strong safety position, he recorded 49 tackles, including 26 unassisted. He had eight tackles for losses of 35 yards and had four quarterback sacks, seven pass breakups and a blocked kick. Junior Scott Lilland (6'1, 203, Estherville, Iowa), a two-year starter for Morningside, will back-up Blackburn. Redshirt freshman Garrett Hartwig (6'0, 199, Pinedale, Wyo.) and senior Justin Martinson (5'11, 184, Inwood, Iowa) will try and win playing time this spring. Senior James Augustus (6'1, 180, Lake Los Angeles, Calif.) will battle with sophomore Chris Richardson (6'1, 199, North Liberty, Iowa) this spring for the other starting safety position. South Dakota had huge losses at cornerback, including all-American Russell Burwell and big play performer Kaseem Gaines. Several players will try to win a starting spot or playing time. Competing for starting slots will be senior Wade Mitchell (5'10, 195, Parkston, S.D.), redshirt freshmen Kellen Burch (5'10, 175, St. Paul, Minn.), and Nick Boyd (5'9, 165, North Liberty, Iowa), senior Tarik Smith (5'10, 180, Calumet Park, Ill.) and several newcomers.

Click here for the 2001 season schedule. (Note: The Aug. 30 game may be played at Howard Wood Field in Sioux Falls if the DakotaDome roof replacement has not been completed.)

Coyote History

ALL-TIME RECORD: 452-424-34
RECORD AT SOUTH DAKOTA: 12-10 (two years)
2000 RECORD: 8-3
NCC RECORD: 9-9
LETTERWINNERS RETURNING/LOST: 32/21
STARTERS RETURNING/LOST: 10/14
FIRST YEAR OF FOOTBALL: 1889
CONFERENCE TITLES: 9 (1927, 1938, 1939, 1947,
                1951, 1972, 1973, 1974, 1978)
ALL-AMERICANS: 42
NCC MVPs: 17
ALL-NCC PERFORMERS: 207
ACADEMIC ALL-NCC: 80

YOTE DAY: Ask any Coyote player and they will tell you Austin has made football fun at the same time attaining structure and strong leadership. Take for example Yote Day, which is annually held in early March. Designed as the final testing of USD's off-season conditioning program, Coyote players participate in a series of different event. It stresses the importance of camaraderie, leadership, unity and spirit of competition. Yote Day will be held the first week of May.