GAMETIME: Kickoff for the nonconference game between South Dakota and #22 ranked Winona State begins at 7 p.m. at Crane Youngworth Field in Yankton, S.D. This is a home game for South Dakota, which has moved its game to Yankton due to a delay in roof replacement of the DakotaDome. This is the Coyotes' 912th game since beginning play in 1889.

THE SERIES: South Dakota leads the series with Winona State, 1-0. The Coyotes defeated Winona State, 77-0, the last time these two teams faced each other. South Dakota jumped to a 49-0 halftime advantage enroute to the win. Booker Vann, Ron Trimble, Dwight Duncombe and Dan Boisen each scored two touchdowns. Barry Blue set a school record by converting 11 of 11 extra points. The 1973 team was the first South Dakota team to participate in the NCAA Division II playoffs. Against Winona State, South Dakota had 388 yards rushing and 152 yards passing for 540 yards total offense.

INSIDE LOOK AT SOUTH DAKOTA COYOTES ON FOUR-GAME WINNING STREAK: South Dakota will be gunning for their fifth straight win when they face Winona State on August 30 at Yankton's Crane-Youngworth Field. If the Coyotes defeated the Warriors, it will be their longest winning streak since 1996 when they won their first five games of the season before falling to South Dakota State, 28-17 at Coughlin-Alumni Stadium in Brookings. South Dakota had a six-game winning streak to open the 1987 season. The Coyotes were ranked #1 in NCAA Division II for the first three weeks of that season.

ON SOUTH DAKOTA: The Coyotes were 8-3 a year ago, including a 6-3 mark and third place in the NCC. In 2000, the Coyotes opened the season 2-0 and won six of their last seven games. They had a four-game winning streak to end the season. The Coyotes, who have been ranked #33 by the Football Gazette in 2001, were the seventh most improved team in NCAA Division II in 2000. The Coyotes improved by four games, going from 4-7 in 1999 to 8-3 in 2000. South Dakota, which lost 21 seniors to graduation, was ranked sixth in the final Midwest Region poll and in the top 30 in some national polls at the conclusion of the season. The Coyotes outscored opponents 270-189 in 2000. South Dakota averaged 24.5 points per game while allowing 18.5 per game. After week four of 2000, the Coyotes outscored opponents, 181-75. The Coyotes had a 4,793 to 4,282 total yards advantage. As the Coyotes look to 2001, the Coyotes return nine starters and lose 14 from the 2000 team. The Coyotes will have 31 returning letterwinners, losing 22. Leading the way for the Coyotes will be junior quarterback Ryan Justice, who broke a school record with 1,826 yards passing in 2000. The junior quarterback from Ankeny, Iowa, will serve as a team captain and provides outstanding leadership to an offense that has five returning starters. Defensively, Bill Gassen, the returning leader in tackles for loss (12) and tackles (59) leads a defense that also includes senior linebacker Mark Blackburn, who had four sacks a year ago, and junior linebacker Korey Ebel, who had 56 tackles and 33 solo stops a year ago.

SOUTH DAKOTA RETURNING LEADERS: Rushing: Eric Tarasewicz (30-148- 2 tds) Passing: Ryan Justice (151-303-1,826 yards, 13 tds, 8 int.) Receiving: Charles Johnson (34-380-3tds) Tackles: Bill Gassen (59) TFLS: Bill Gassen (12, -38) SACKS: Mark Blackburn (4 )

HEAD COACH JOHN AUSTIN: South Dakota Head Coach John Austin has restored winning into a Coyote football program rich with tradition. A year ago, Austin directed the Coyotes to an 8-3 record, the school's best mark since 1995. In the turnaround season, the Coyotes won six of their last seven games, including four in a row to end the season. The Coyotes finished with a 6-3 record and a third place finish in the North Central Conference. Entering his third year at South Dakota, Austin has led the squad to a 12-10 overall record, including 9-9 in the NCC. Originally of Watertown, Austin is a 1980 graduate of USD. A tireless recruiter with a staff to match, he has recently completed his third straight recruiting class. Austin has deep roots in South Dakota. An all-state performer at Watertown High School (1973-74), he played for head coaches Bernard "Beanie" Cooper and Dave Triplett during his career at South Dakota. He was a three-year starter and four-year letterwinner. In 1979, he was named honorable mention all-NCC and was a co-captain for Triplett's first team at South Dakota. He 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 lineman 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. Two players he coached at South Dakota (Josh Stamer and Jamel White) are in NFL camps in 2001. He had a 22-21 record at Watertown High School from 1985-89, including a 9-3 record 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, Colo., High School and he spent the 1980-81 season as a student assistant at USD. John and his wife, Jill, have three children: Kelsie, Erin and Samantha.

AUSTIN AT SOUTH DAKOTA: 12-10 (two years) 2000 RECORD: 8-3 NCC RECORD: 9-9

COYOTE COACHES: Brent Salem, offensive coordinator and quarterbacks; Brad Salem, recruiting coordinator/wide receivers and tight ends; Scott Bruning, offensive line; Bob Forsyth, defensive secondary; Brett Chambers, defensive line and strength coach; Kirby Garry, running backs and tight ends; Miguel Regalado, offensive line; Brett Kramer, defensive line; and Travis Senters, linebackers.

COYOTE CAPTAINS: senior linebacker Mark Blackburn (Moreno Valley, Calif.); senior offensive tackle Josh Burr (Lancaster, Wisc.); senior fullback Ryan Garry (Humboldt, S.D.); junior linebacker Korey Ebel (Hartley, Iowa); junior defensive lineman Bill Gassen (Rapid City, S.D.) and junior quarterback Ryan Justice (Ankeny, Iowa).

A LOOK AT 2000: 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 rushing touchdowns. Opponents rushed for 1,112 yards on 367 carries (3.02 avg.). Through the air, the Coyotes 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. Defensively, the Coyotes limited opponents to 15 points or less in seven games. In five games, the Coyotes held opponents to 10 or fewer points including one shutout. Overall, the defense rolled up 102 tackles for loss for -345 yards and recording 29 sacks for -205 yards. In 2000, the Coyotes had 10 fumble recoveries and an NCC-leading 22 interceptions. In addition, the Coyotes had 53 pass breakups along with three blocked kicks.

NCAA RANKINGS - 2000: South Dakota finished sixth in the nation in turnover margin at a plus 16 (1.45 per game). The Coyotes were also sixth in defense passing efficiency nationally. South Dakota was 13th in total defense in NCAA Division II in 2000, allowing just 255.5 yards per game. The Coyotes also finished 15th in rushing defense, allowing just 101.1 yards per game.

CHIEF JUSTICE: Junior quarterback Ryan Justice of Ankeny, Iowa, enjoyed a stellar sophomore campaign as he completed 151 passes in 303 attempts for a school-record 1,826 yards passing. Justice recorded the second best seasonal total in total offense (352 attempts, 1,938 yards) and currently sits #10 on the all-time Coyote charts (515 attempts, 3,033 yards). Justice is also #9 on South Dakota's career passing list with 225 completions in 443 attempts and 2,886 yards passing. He has 22 touchdowns and just 10 interceptions during his first two years as a Coyote.

BOOMING 'EM HIGH AND LONG: South Dakota senior punter Filip Filipovic enjoyed an outstanding junior season. Filipovic of Serbia, Yugoslavia, is one of the best punters in NCAA Division II. He averaged 40.7 yards per kick in 2000, a total that was second in the NCC and ranked seventh nationally. 22 GAMES AND COUNTING: Junior linebacker Korey Ebel of Hartley, Iowa, is a rock on defense. As he begins his third season at South Dakota, he has started 22 straight games. A year ago, he had 56 tackles and 33 solo stops.

COYOTES PICKED TO FINISH FOURTH: South Dakota was picked to finish fourth in the pre-season media and coaches polls. North Dakota State has been picked as North Central Conference football champion in both polls. Defending NCC champion Nebraska-Omaha was second in both polls. The media and the coaches concurred on almost every pick with the only difference being a jumble in the middle between Augustana, Northern Colorado and South Dakota State. The media picked the fifth through seventh spots as South Dakota State, Augustana, Northern Colorado while the coaches tied Augustana and Northern Colorado with South Dakota State a scant one point behind in the seventh slot. In 2000, Nebraska-Omaha posted the first perfect 9-0 NCC season since the 1990 season to claim the NCC title. Both UNO and North Dakota State advanced to the NCAA playoffs. North Dakota State defeated defending national champion Northwest Missouri State and Nebraska-Omaha defeated Pittsburg State in the first round of the playoffs. Then the two NCC squads battled with NDSU avenging a 6-3 loss earlier in the season by defeating UNO 43-21 in the playoff's second round. The Bison then fell to eventual national champion Delta State in the national semifinal game. The NCC has always been strong on the national scene and this year is no exception. This season's media poll marks the 47th time that the media have made their predictions about the nine-team league that spans five states. The media have correctly picked the NCC champion in 14 of the past 19 seasons. In all, the media have successfully chosen the NCC champion 26 times in the 46 years in the poll's existence. The NCC coaches have made predictions for the past 18 years. They have picked the champion 11 times.

AGAINST THE NCC: South Dakota has winning records against four of the eight other NCC schools: Nebraska-Omaha (23-17-1), South Dakota State University (51-43-7), Minnesota State-Mankato (15-9), and Augustana College (37-18-0). The Coyotes' record against the other NCC schools is as follows: North Dakota (28-49-4), North Dakota State University (24-46-3), St. Cloud State University (8-11-0), Northern Colorado (12-18-0).

WINONA STATE FACTS

ON WINONA STATE: The Warriors had a 9-3 record including a 7-1 record and the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference title. Winona State, which has been ranked in the top 25 teams nationally in 2001 by some media sources, ended the 2000 season with a 43-41 win over Missouri Western in triple overtime at the Mineral Water Bowl. In a game vs. Minnesota-Duluth on Nov. 4, 2000, Kevin Curtin had an 100-yard kickoff return while the Warriors also blocked four field goals, both NCAA Division II records. A year ago, Winona State had a 9-3 record and won the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference title. They return 10 starters on offense and five starters on defense. The Warriors had a 4-0 record at home and 4-2 mark on the road. Sophomore quarterback Andy Nett, who completed 120 passes in 224 attempts with nine interceptions and 15 touchdowns, will lead the Warriors. He had 1,713 yards of total offense. Also back for the Warriors is Curtin, a sophomore running back. Curtin had 2,321 all purpose yards, including 860 rushing yards, 314 receiving yards, 388 punt return yards and 759 kick return yards. He scored nine touchdowns. Another key returner will be wide receiver Jeff Dobbertin, who had 56 receptions for 1,094 yards and 10 touchdowns a year ago. He caught a 76-yard touchdown pass from Nett. Winona State outscored opponents by a 347-252 margin. Returning defensive leaders include Jake Tietje, who had 101 tackles, including 79 solo stops. Tietje had nine tackles for loss, one sack and three interceptions. Linebacker Deric Sieck had 72 tackles and 14 tackles for loss. Overall, Winona State had 17 interceptions, nine fumble recoveries and 30 quarterback sacks.

ON WINONA STATE HEAD COACH TOM SAWYER: Winona State Head Coach Tom Sawyer of Winona State also serves as offensive coordinator. In his sixth year as head coach, he has led Winona State to three conference championships and a 43-41 victory in the 2000 Mineral Water Bowl. He was named NSIC Coach of the Year in 1997 and 2000. Sawyer served as assistant coach at Winona State for seven years. He received a B.S. in 1983 and a M.S. in 1989 at Winona State. A graduate of Barron, Wisc., High School, he was all state in baseball and football. He has a daughter, Jessica, and a son, Tommy.

WINONA STATE COACHES: John Howe, defensive coordinator/defensive tackles; Bryan Hiller, offensive line; Larry Holstad, wide receivers; Don Wistreill, defensive ends; Brian Curtin, defensive backs; Travis Walch, running backs; Roland Christianson, linebackers; Carson Walch, wide receivers; David Olson, tight ends/offensive tackles; Jeff Reinardy, strength and conditioning; Nick Casterton, equipment manager; Hillary Thompson, video.

GAMES ON THE DOCKET THIS WEEK

OTHER GAMES THURSDAY: Northwest Missouri State at Nebraska-Omaha, 7 p.m.; Northern State at Augustana, 7 p.m.; St. Cloud State at Northern Michigan, 6 p.m.; Angelo State at North Dakota State, 7 p.m.

FRIDAY GAMES: North Dakota at Central Washington, noon

SATURDAY GAMES: Northern Colorado at Western State, 1 p.m.; Ferris State at South Dakota State, 7 p.m.; and Minnesota-Duluth at Minnesota State-Mankato, 1 p.m.

RADIO: The University of South Dakota football games home and away can be heard on KVHT-FM (106.3) Vermillion/Yankton, S.D. Kevin Culhane is the voice of the Coyotes. Veteran broadcaster Joe Van Goor will provide color. Former NCC coach Mike Daly is the game analyst. A pre-game show will begin one hour prior to kickoff. Listen to game play-by-play on the Internet at www.usdcoyotes.com and on Teamline at 1-800-846-4700.

JOHN AUSTIN SHOW: The John Austin Show will be held on Thursday evening at 6:05 p.m. on ESPN Radio 1570 KVTK-AM, Vermillion, S.D.

RETURNING PLAYERS: The Coyotes return nine starters and 31 letterwinners from the 2000 team.

UNIVERSITY PROFILE: LOCATION: Vermillion, S.D. (10,000) FOUNDED: 1862 ENROLLMENT: 7,334 PRESIDENT: James W. Abbott NATIONAL AFFILIATION: NCAA Division II CONFERENCE: North Central Conference UNIVERSITY VICE PRESIDENT: Roger Kozak DIRECTOR OF ATHLETICS: Kelly Higgins NICKNAME: Coyotes (KI-YOTES, not KI-YOH-TEES) COLORS: Red and White STADIUM: DakotaDome (1979), 10,000 capacity SURFACE: Astro Turf

FOOTBALL OFFICE Coach John Austin (605) 677-5309 Jbaustin@usd.edu Brett Chambers (605) 677-5954 Bob Forsyth (605) 677-5898 Kirby Garry (605) 677-6949 Scott Bruning (605 677-6932 Brad Salem (605) 677-5925 Brent Salem (605) 677-5923

SPORTS INFORMATION Director: Dan E. Genzler Office Phone: 605-677-5927 Home Phone: 605-624-3302 Email: dgenzler@usd.edu Information Specialist: Julia Meyer Office Phone:(605) 677-5927 Email: jmeyer@usd.edu Mailing Address: South Dakota Sports Information, DakotaDome 226, 414 East Clark Street, Vermillion, S.D., 57069 FAX: (605) 677-6273 Pressbox: 605-677-5761 Stadium Address: DakotaDome, 1101 North Dakota Street, Vermillion, S.D., 57069

SCHEDULE: August 30 - WINONA STATE, at Yankton, 7 p.m. Sept. 8 - at Minnesota-Duluth, 6 p.m. Sept. 15 - *ST. CLOUD STATE, at Sioux Falls, 7 p.m. Sept. 22 - *NEBRASKA-OMAHA, at Sioux Falls, 7 p.m. Sept. 29 - *at North Dakota State, 7 p.m. Oct. 6 - *at Augustana, 1 p.m. Oct. 13 - *NORTHERN COLORADO, 2 p.m. Oct. 20 - OPEN Oct. 27 - *SOUTH DAKOTA STATE, 6:30 p.m. Nov. 3 - *at Minnesota State - Mankato, 1 p.m. Nov. 10 - *NORTH DAKOTA (Hall of Fame), 6:30 p.m.

Home games in bold and caps. Home games are played at the DakotaDome unless noted. *North Central Conference games

2000 REVIEW Season Record: 8-3 North Central Conference: 6-3 (third) Home: 4-1 Road: 4-2 Nonconference: 2-0

Season Summary - SOUTH DAKOTA 17 Missouri Western 13 *SOUTH DAKOTA 38 Truman State 14 North Dakota 42 SOUTH DAKOTA 14 North Dakota State 45 SOUTH DAKOTA 20 *SOUTH DAKOTA 15 Augustana 10 SOUTH DAKOTA 37 St. Cloud State 0 *Nebraska-Omaha 21 SOUTH DAKOTA 7 *SOUTH DAKOTA 27 Northern Colorado 6 SOUTH DAKOTA 30 Morningside 7 SOUTH DAKOTA 41 South Dakota State 28 *SOUTH DAKOTA 24 Minn. St.-Mankato 3 Home games noted with *

COYOTE HISTORY:

JUST 15 YEARS AGO: South Dakota still holds an NCAA Division II record with the most players on one team gaining 100 yards or more on Nov. 1, 1986 vs. St. Cloud State. James Hambrick led the way with 125 yards while Darryl Colvin had 123 yards, Tony Higgins, 118 yards; Dave Elle, 109 yards and Joe Longueville, 106 yards, for a team total of 581 yards. In 1986, the Coyotes advanced to the NCAA Division II title game, falling 27-7 to fellow NCC mate, North Dakota State. In that season, the Coyotes spoiled a perfect season by UC-Davis, winning 26-23 at Davis, Calif., in the first round of the playoffs. South Dakota advanced to the title game in 1986 with a 42-28 win over Troy State at the DakotaDome before 9,500 in attendance. #1 IN DII: The Coyotes have twice been ranked #1 in the country for three consecutive weeks in the NCAA Division II poll. The Coyotes were ranked #1 for the first three weeks of the 1985 and 1987 seasons.

IN NCAA RECORD BOOK: Kurt Seibel holds the highest percentage of field goals made by converting 15 0f 1 field goals for 88.2 percent in 1983. He also is 17th on the NCAA all-time charts for career field goals made, converting 44 of 62 (.710) from 1980-83. Bill Moats led NCAA Division II in punting in 1978 by averaging 43.9 yards per punt. During his senior season, he punted 77 times for 3,377 yards. Adam Hicks made 17 of 22 field goals in 2000 for .773 percent which ranks 13th in the NCAA season charts. Jamel White, who is now with the Cleveland Browns, ranks 15th in yards per game for a season with 222.5 (1,796 rushing, 640 receiving). White is also 19th in yards rushing for a season with 1,796 on 316 carries in 2000. SD IN TOP 20 IN VICTORIES: South Dakota ranks 17th in NCAA Division II victories with a 452-425-34 mark (.515).

ALL-TIME RIVALRIES: The Coyotes and SDSU annual matchup is one of the great all-time rivalries in college football. In NCAA Division II, the 101 games played between the two in-state rivals are second in most played rivalries. The Coyotes lead 51-43-6.

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 42 all-Americans and 207all-NCC performers, including 17 NCC MVPs. South Dakota has an all-time record of 452-425-34 (.515). 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.

COYOTES IN THE NFL: Former Coyotes Jamel White (1998-99) and Matt Chatham (1994-98) are currently fighting for starting positions in the NFL. White is vying for a starting spot with the Browns and has scored two touchdowns already in the preseason. He was a backup running back and kick returner in 2000 with the Browns. Chatham is vying for a starting spot at outside linebacker with the New England Patriots. Meanwhile, former South Dakota linebacker Josh Stamer was recently cut by the New York Giants after signing a free agent deal earlier in the summer.