GAME FIVE: South Dakota (0-4, 0-2) will attempt to end a 14-game losing streak to North Dakota State when they host the Bison (1-2, 0-1) on Saturday night in the DakotaDome. The Coyotes have not defeated the Bison since a 28-12 decision in 1987 at the DakotaDome.

RADIO/INTERNET/TEAMLINE: The South Dakota Coyotes football games will be offered on the Coyote Sports Network, on Teamline and through the internet. The flagship station is KVHT-FM 106.3, Vermillion/Yankton, S.D. Kevin Culhane will begin his fifth season as the voice of the Coyotes, both home and away during the 2002 season. Veteran sportscaster Joe Van Goor will provide color commentary while Eric Rawson will serve as sideline reporter. Mike Daly begins his fifth season as Game Day analyst. Coyote Game Day coverage begins one hour prior to kickoff. In addition, Coyote fans can tune to the game live on the internet at www.usdcoyotes.com or listen free by phone at Teamline. To connect to Teamline call 1-800-846-4700 and enter the team code of 6056.

TV GAME: The USD-NDSU game will be carried live by KELO-TV (Channel 11 in South Dakota). Travis Fossing will do the play-by-play and Mike Daly will do color. Jeff Radcliffe will be the sideline reporter.

CLOSE CALL: South Dakota very nearly broke the streak in 1997 but lost to NDSU, 24-21 in overtime. USD opened up a 21-7 lead before NDSU mounted a fourth quarter comeback. Ken Johnson's 18-yard field goal in overtime lifted the Bison to the win. USD, which had 304 yards in total offense, was led by Chris Miller, who had 133 yards passing and 63 yards rushing. The Bison had 350 yards total offense, including 185 yards rushing by Jake Morris.

BISON RETURN TO DOME: This will be the first game between USD and NDSU at the DakotaDome since 1999 when the Bison recorded a 45-14 win. SERIES: NDSU leads the series, 47-24-3. USD has lost six straight to NDSU at home and 12 straight on the road. The Coyotes and Bison tied 0-0 in the first game played in the series in 1900. After that game, USD won three of the next five matchups. The Coyotes won nine straight vs. NDSU from 1938-51. In terms of points, the Coyotes won 52-20 in 1954 while NDSU recorded their highest point total in a 66-8 win in 1965, which is the Bison's largest margin of victory vs. South Dakota. USD's largest margin of victory was a 41-6 win in 1948.

LAST TIME: NDSU won 42-10 at the FargoDome before 14,101 in attendance. A year ago, NDSU scored 21 third quarter points to break open a close game. Current St. Louis Rams running back Lamar Gordon rushed 18 times for 200 yards and scored three touchdowns. South Dakota accumulated 285 yards in total offense on 81 offensive plays. The Coyotes had 140 yards rushing and 145 yards passing. Overall, the Coyotes held an edge over NDSU in time of possession (37:13 to 22:47) and first downs, 20-18. South Dakota converted eight of 19 third down conversions and was two of five on fourth down plays. Mikkelsen, who had four receptions for 22 yards, also completed three of 12 passes for 40 yards with one interception. Quarterback Ryan Justice completed 13 of 24 passes for 105 yards, and had one interception and one touchdown. NDSU had 251 yards rushing and 165 yards passing for 416 yards total offense in 54 offensive plays. Gorder completed eight of 16 passes for 99 yards.

ABOUT SOUTH DAKOTA: In their first four games, USD has lost three games by seven points or less. So far in 2002, the Coyotes have been outgained on the ground, 686 to 223 while owning a 731-700 advantage in passing yards. Opponents have a 1,386 to 954 edge in total offense. Opponents own a 33:48 to 26:12 advantage in time of possession. Opponents also own an 86-52 advantage in first downs. In terms of scoring, the Coyotes have outscored opponents 12-10 in the first quarter. In the second quarter, opponents own a 34-23 advantage. In the second half, opponents have outscored USD, 25-0, in the third quarter and 17-14 in the fourth quarter. Overall, opponents have scored 86 points to 49 for South Dakota.

HEAD FOOTBALL COACH: John Austin (South Dakota '80)?Phone: (605) 677-5309; email: jbaustin@usd.edu 2001 RECORD: 2-8 (1-7 in the NCC) RECORD AT SOUTH DAKOTA: 14-22 (fourth year) OVERALL NCC RECORD: 10-18 ABOUT SOUTH DAKOTA HEAD COACH JOHN AUSTIN: Head football coach John Austin, who is beginning is fourth season, is focused on restoring winning into a tradition-rich Coyote football program. Austin, 45, is resurrecting the Coyote football program by stressing hard work, teamwork and a commitment to excellence on and off the field. A year ago (2001), the Coyotes were 2-8, as they lost a number of close games. Austin has a 14-22-career record at South Dakota, including a 10-18 mark in the NCC. In 2000, South Dakota had an 8-3 record, including 6-3 and a tie for third place in the North Central Conference. In 1999 the Coyotes had a 4-7 record, despite a schedule that would rate with any in Division II. A highlight was the coach's reshaping and remaking of Jamel White, now with the Cleveland Browns. Seldom-used during his junior season (1998), White had an all-American season in 1999 as he established a new Coyote rushing record with 1,796 yards, scoring 24 touchdowns and had a school-record 2,403 all-purpose yards. Other Coyotes to play for Austin at South Dakota and sign NFL free agent contracts include Josh Stamer (Seattle Seahawks); punter/kicker Filip Filipovic (Dallas Cowboys); offensive tackle Josh Burr, (Pittsburgh Steelers). Energetic and competitive, Austin has an enthusiastic passion for football with an absolute commitment to academics. South Dakota's football team earned a 2.94 grade point average this past semester and an overall team GPA of 2.87. Several student-athletes have made dean's lists while at USD. In addition, football team members annually receive academic awards for their work in the classroom. Also, the Coyotes commit to community projects, including helping with the Children's Miracle Network, Muscular Dystrophy as well as Vermillion Pride, a community wide clean-up project. A native of Watertown and 1980 graduate of The University of South Dakota, he is clearly making a difference with this program. A tireless recruiter with a staff to match, he has recently completed his fourth straight strong recruiting class, which is comprised of players primarily from South Dakota and the region. Austin earned a Bachelor of Science degree in business administration in 1980 from USD and a master's degree in athletic administration from the University of Iowa in 1992. Austin 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. Austin 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, 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 1999 - 4-7 (3-6. NCC. 6th) 2000 - 8-3 (6-3, 3rd in NCC) 2001 - 2-8 (1-7 in the NCC) 2002 - 0-4 (0-2 in the NCC) ASSISTANT COACHES: Bill Bleil (Northwestern College '81), quarterback coach/offensive coordinator; Kirby Garry (North Dakota '97), wide receivers coach/recruiting coordinator; Scott Bruning (Augustana '86), offensive line coach; Bob Forsyth (Iowa ' 85), defensive secondary coach; Brett Chambers (Iowa '96), linebackers/strength coach; Brett Kramer (Northern Iowa '01), graduate assistant, outside linebackers coach; Miguel Regalado (South Dakota '01), graduate assistant, defensive line; Devin Harvey (USD '01), graduate assistant, wide receivers; Greg McElmuray (Simpson '02), graduate assistant, tight ends; Mark Esch (Wisconsin-LaCrosse '01), volunteer assistant, running backs.

COYOTES TO TRY AND END LOSING STREAK: The Coyotes have lost seven straight games dating back to last season (17-10 setback to UNO, Sept. 28; 36-15 loss to St. Cloud State, Sept. 21; 23-21 loss to Minnesota-Duluth, Sept. 14, 2002; 10-3 loss to Missouri Western at the DakotaDome in the 2002 season opener on Sept. 7, 2002; 48-7 loss to North Dakota at the DakotaDome, Nov. 10, 2001; 29-16 loss to Minnesota State-Mankato on the road, Nov. 3, 2001; and a 20-3 loss to South Dakota State at the DakotaDome, Oct. 27, 2001.) The Coyotes last win was a 31-19 win over Northern Colorado on Dakota Days, Oct. 13, 2001. The last time USD lost seven in a row occurred during the 1998 season when the Coyotes dropped their final eight games of the season after opening with three straight wins.

LAST WEEK - James E. Johnson scored on a seven-yard run to key a 17-10 North Central Conference football win by Nebraska-Omaha (2-3) over South Dakota (0-4) on Saturday night at Al F. Caniglia Field in Omaha. South Dakota moved the ball deep in UNO territory in the final five minutes but a pass by redshirt freshman quarterback Sean McLaughlin (Omaha, Neb.) to junior wide receiver Foster Brodus (Newport News, Va.) was tipped away and the Coyotes lost for the fourth straight time this season. After a scoreless first quarter, UNO scored first after a Coyote turnover. Troy Severson kicked a 21-yard field goal at the 8:32 mark of the first quarter. After USD lost the ball at its own five-yard line, the defense stopped UNO on two rushing plays and forced an incomplete pass. The Coyotes tied the game with 1:45 to play in the half on a career-best 46-yard field goal by sophomore place-kicker Cody Butler (Hastings, Neb.). The scoring opportunity was set up when sophomore Wesley Beschorner (Lohrville, Iowa) returned a punt to the UNO 30-yard line. However, USD was unable to move the ball. In the first half, South Dakota gave up 171 yards in total offense on 34 plays, including 114 yards rushing on 26 carries by Nebraska-Omaha ball carriers. But the Coyotes were outstanding when it mattered the most and that is when the UNO offense penetrated USD territory. Despite numerous ventures into Coyote territory, the Mavericks only score was a field goal in the second quarter. UNO's first three-drives moved into USD territory but not one of them resulted in a score. First Troy Severson missed a 27-yard field goal after the Mavericks had moved the ball 81 yards in 10 plays. Then after moving to the Coyotes 13-yard yard line, quarterback Brian Masek was picked off by USD's Derick Jelks (St. Petersburg, Fla.) in the end zone. Jelks brought the ball out to the 20-yard line. A third UNO drive also ended in USD territory. Aside from Jelks interception, the Coyotes had two quarterback sacks in the opening half. On offense, USD generated just 43 yards on 21 plays of total offense. USD had just 18 yards rushing on 13 carries and had 25 yards passing. Senior quarterback Ryan Justice was five for eight with one interception. UNO opened up a 10-3 lead on a one-yard run by Trey Guidry in the fourth quarter. The Mavericks moved the ball 72 yards in 10 plays, scoring with 2:33 left in the third quarter. After recovering a UNO fumble, USD moved the ball 57 yards on 10 plays with Davon Hudspeth scoring on a two-yard run with 8:51 to play. Hudspeth, who had 34 yards rushing, had runs of six, nine and 11 yards on the drive. On UNO's winning scoring drive, Johnson had a 41-yard run to set up his seven-yard touchdown run. He scored with 6:42 to play. UNO used 2:09 and moved the ball 65 yards in five plays. On the ensuing possession, USD moved the ball to the UNO seven-yard line where their attempt to tie the game was stopped by the UNO defense. McLaughlin completed passes of 34 and 15 yards to Brodus on the drive. Overall, USD had 46 yards rushing on 24 attempts and passing for 138 yards. Hudspeth led USD's rushing attack with 34 yards on 12 carries and McLaughlin passed for 87 yards, completing 6 of 9 passes. Brodus led the USD receivers with three catches for 55 yards. Matt Taylor (Oakland, Calif.) had five receptions for 43 yards. South Dakota punter Jarrod Edelen (Vermillion, S.D.) had another solid game of kicking. He had six punts for 251 yards for a 41.8 average. He placed one kick inside the 20-yard line and had a long of 57 yards. Defensively, Korey Ebel (Hartley, Iowa) led USD with 12 tackles including one tackle for loss. Scott Lilland (Estherville, Iowa) had 11 tackles and a tackle for loss while both Josh and Bill Gassen (Rapid City, S.D.) had eight tackles, both recording two tackles for loss. Johnson ran for a career-high 162 yards on 26 carries to lead the UNO ground game. Johnnie Nolen had 97 yards on 23 carries as UNO totaled 338 yards rushing on 64 carries. UNO completed seven of 11 passes for 76 yards and one interception.

JUSTICE CONTINUES TO ADD TO ALL-TIME PASSING TOTAL: With 51 yards passing on Sept. 28 vs. Nebraska-Omaha, Ryan Justice of Ankeny, Iowa, continues to build on his all-time passing mark at USD. In his career at South Dakota, he has completed 411 passes in 825 attempts for 5,133 yards, 31 touchdowns and 28 interceptions. Earlier this season Justice passed Jason Seurer, who had 4,759 yards (390-799-27 TDs) from 1989-92. Justice has the two top passing seasons in school history. He set a school record by completing 151 of 303 passes for 1,826 yards and 13 touchdowns in 2000. In 2001, he had 142 completions in 292 attempts for 1,804 yards and eight touchdowns which is the second best total in school history.

JUSTICE TIES ALL-TIME TD MARK; NOW SECOND ON TOTAL OFFENSE LIST: Against St. Cloud State on Sept. 21, Ryan Justice threw his 31st career touchdown pass (50-yard to Chris Mikkelsen) which tied him for first on South Dakota's all-time list with Chris Miller (1994-97). Justice also recently passed Miller for second place in total offense in a career. Justice now has 951 plays and 5,211 yards. Miller had 5,120 yards in 883 plays. The all-time leader is Mark Jenkins (1972-75), who had 5,409 yards on 848 attempts. Justice also has the second best seasonal total offense performance in school history with 352 plays for 1,938 yards in 2000.

JUSTICE TIES TWO SINGLE GAME PASSING MARKS: Senior quarterback Ryan Justice tied a pair of school records when he completed 24 of 48 passes for 263 yards in the 36-15 loss to St. Cloud State on Sept. 21. His completions (24) and pass attempts (48) tied school records held by Chris Daniel vs. Eastern Illinois in 1981.

MIKKELSEN HAS 14-GAME PASS CATCH STREAK: In his sophomore season, wide receiver Chris Mikkelsen (Gregory, S.D.) has caught passes in each game of his career at South Dakota. He caught at least one pass in every game during his redshirt freshman season in 2002 when he set a freshman record of 36 catches for 640 yards. This season he has caught passes in each of the Coyotes' four games. On Sept. 21, he tied a career high with six catches vs. St. Cloud State. In that game, he had 90 yards receiving, including a 50-yard catch and run for a touchdown. He caught a career high six passes for 116 yards in a 44-21 win over Winona State in the 2001 season opener. He also had 116 yards receiving in the 31-19 win over Northern Colorado on Dakota Day of 2001. This season, he has 12 catches for 176 yards or 14.7 yards per catch. He is averaging 44.0 yards receiving per game.

HUDSPETH LEADING GROUND GAME: Davon Hudspeth (junior, Rancho Cucumonga, Calif.) leads the Coyotes in rushing and receptions. Hudspeth has had 48 rushes for 169 yards with two touchdown and a 3.5 per rush average. He has a long of 20 yards. He also has 16 receptions for 67 yards.

36 GAMES AND COUNTING FOR EBEL: Senior linebacker and co-captain Korey Ebel (Hartley, Iowa) is a rock on defense. In his fourth season at South Dakota, he has started 36 straight games. A second team all-NCC pick a year ago, Ebel has 31 tackles in 2002, including four tackles for loss (-16 yards) and a quarterback sack (-12).

THREE COYOTES AMONG TOP 10 NCC TACKLE LEADERS: Three members of USD's defense are among the tackles leaders in the NCC. Scott Lilland, a senior (Estherville, Iowa) strong safety leads USD with 35 tackles (8.8 per game), including 16 solo stops. Drew Barns (Rapid City, S.D.) is second in tackles for South Dakota and fifth in the NCC with 32 stops, including 6.5 tackles for loss (-15 yards), two quarterback sacks and a forced fumble. He is averaging 8.0 tackles per game. Ebel is seventh in the NCC with 31 tackles (15 solos) or 7.8 per game.

GASSEN BROTHERS LEADING DEFENSE: Brothers Bill and Josh Gassen (Rapid City, S.D.) are having solid years for South Dakota. Bill Gassen is fourth on the team with 29 tackles, including 19 solo stops. He has a team-high 7.5 tackles for loss (-16), one pass breakup and two fumble recoveries. Josh Gassen has 27 tackles, including 18 solo stops. He has four tackles for loss (-13), one sack and one fumble recovery.

EDELEN SOLID IN PUNTING: Jarrod Edelen (senior, Vermillion, S.D.) continues to have a solid season punting. He leads the NCC in net punting at 38.8 per game and is second in overall punting at 40.7 per game. He has had 25 kicks for 1,018 yards or 40.7 per kick. He has a season and career long of 65 yards (Missouri Western). Edelen has placed seven kicks inside the 20-yard line.

BRODUS LEADS COYOTES IN ALL-PURPOSE YARDS: Junior wide receiver/kickoff return specialist Foster Brodus (Newport News, Va.) leads the Coyotes in all purpose yards with 312 or 78.0 per game. He is second in the NCC in kick returns with eight returns for 208 yards or 26.0 per game. Brodus also has seven catches for 101 yards as a receiver. Against UNO, he led USD with three catches for 55 yards.

JELKS LISTED IN NCAA LEADERS: Senior cornerback Derrick Jelks (St. Petersburg, Fla.) is listed in the top 10 in passes defended with 2.0 per game.

SOUTH DAKOTA TEAM AWARDS - NEBRASKA-OMAHA:

Offensive MVP: Jimmy Terwilliger (Guthrie Center, Iowa). Offensive Hustle Award: Tom Moore (Centerville, S.D.). Offense - Big Plays: Davon Hudspeth (Rancho Cucumonga, Calif.), Foster Brodus (Newport News, Va.), and Chris Mikkelsen (Gregory, S.D.). Defensive MVP: Tim Schellhammer (Chatfield, Minn.). Defense Hustle Award: Bill Gassen (Rapid City, S.D.). Defense - Big Plays: Schellhammer, Drew Barns (Rapid City, S.D.), Bill Gassen, Josh Gassen (Rapid City, S.D.), Derrick Jelks (St. Petersburg, Fla.), Dwight Anderson (Queens, N.Y.), and John Barker (Sioux City, Iowa). Special Teams MVP: Wesley Beschorner (Lohrville, Iowa). Special Teams - Big Plays: Jarrod Edelen (Vermillion, S.D.), Cody Butler (Hastings, Neb.), Nick Boyd (North Liberty, Iowa), Tim Triplett (Iowa City, Iowa), Beschorner, and Schellhammer. Scout Team MVP - Defense: Christian Ohl (Norfolk, Neb.). Scout Team MVP - Offense: Rufus Williams (North Point, N.C.).

AT THE DOME: South Dakota owns a 84-48 (.636) record at the DakotaDome. The Coyotes defeated St. Thomas (Minn.), 22-6, in the first collegiate game played at the DakotaDome in 1979. USD owned a 130-83-8 mark at Inman Stadium from 1924 to 1979. USD defeated Yankton, 19-0 in the first game played (Sept. 27, 1924) at Inman Stadium.

ON ACADEMICS: It is a well-fashioned tradition that student-athletes at USD excel in the classroom and on the field of play. In 2001, the three Coyotes were named to the academic all-North Central Conference squad. Another six were listed as honorable mention all-NCC. Since the NCC established the all-academic squad, USD has had 83 student-athletes named to the conference team. Both Ryan Justice and Jimmy Terwilliger, starters on offense, were named to the all-NCC team. Honorable mention selections included Chris Mikkelsen, Bill Gassen, M.J. Sonnefeld and Jarrod Edelen. This past spring the USD football team had a 2.94 grade point average and overall had a mark of 2.87. Eighteen members of the football team had between a 3.5 and 4.0 grade point average and 32 earned GPA's between 3.0 and 3.49. A total of 50 players averaged at least 3.0. South Dakota has had at least one academic all-NCC performer every year since the program was started in 1976.

2002 SOUTH DAKOTA FOOTBALL SCHEDULE

SEPT. 7 - MISSOURI WESTERN 10 SOUTH DAKOTA 3 SEPT. 14 - MINNESOTA-DULUTH 23 SOUTH DAKOTA 21 SEPT. 21 - ST. CLOUD STATE 36 SOUTH DAKOTA 15 SEPT. 28 - NEBRASKA-OMAHA 17 SOUTH DAKOTA 10 OCT. 5 - NORTH DAKOTA STATE, FAMILY WEEKEND, DAKOTADOME, 7 p.m. (TV, KELO-TV) OCT. 12 - AUGUSTANA*, DAKOTADOME, DAKOTA DAY 2 p.m. (TV, PAX) OCT. 19 -- at Northern Colo. * , Nottingham Field, Greeley, Colo., 1 p.m. (MST) OCT. 26 -- ST. JOSEPH'S COLLEGE, YOUTH NIGHT, DAKOTADOME, 7 p.m. NOV. 2 -- at South Dakota State University *, Coughlin-Alumni Stadium, 1 p.m. NOV. 9 - MINN. STATE - MANKATO, SENIOR NIGHT, DAKOTADOME, 7 p.m. NOV. 16 -- at North Dakota *, Alerus Center, Grand Forks, N.D., 5 p.m.

AFCA POLL: The American Football Coaches Association Division II Coaches' Poll Top 10 remained unchanged this week as Grand Valley State (Mich.) continued as the #1 ranked team in the American Football Coaches Association Division II Coaches' Poll (as of Sept. 24). The top 10 includes:

1. Grand Valley State, 3-0 2. Valdosta State (Ga.) 4-0 3. Pittsburgh St. (Kan.) 4-0 4. Saginaw Valley (Mich.) 4-0 5. Carson-Newman (Tenn.) 5-0 6. Northwest Missouri St. 4-0 7. Central Arkansas 4-0 8. Tuskegee (Ala.) 4-0 9. UC-Davis 3-1 10. Texas A&M-Kingsville 2-1

The only NCC school ranked in the AFCA's Top 25 is Northern Colorado (3-1), who was listed at No. 19. One point of note, the Coyotes' week one opponent, Missouri Western, dropped a 25-21 decision to No. 3 ranked Pittsburgh State.

2002 NCC Standings Overall NCC Augustana 4-0 2-0 St. Cloud State 4-0 2-0 Northern Colo. 4-1 2-0 South Dakota St. 2-1 1-1 Neb. Omaha 2-3 1-1 North Dakota St. 1-2 0-1 North Dakota 2-1 0-1 MSU, Mankato 1-4 0-2 South Dakota 0-4 0-2

Schedule - October 5 St. Cloud State at Augustana, 1 p.m. Northern Colorado at Nebraska-Omaha, 1 p.m. North Dakota at South Dakota State, 2 p.m. North Dakota State at South Dakota, 7 p.m.

Results - Sept. 28 Northern Colorado 27 Minnesota St., Mankato 14 St. Cloud State 28 South Dakota State 24 Augustana 23 North Dakota State 6 Nebraska-Omaha 17 South Dakota 10

Results - Sept. 21 Northern Colorado 28 North Dakota 12 St. Cloud State 36 South Dakota 15 Augustana 7 Minnesota State-Mankato 0 South Dakota State 38 Nebraska-Omaha 21 Cal-Davis 35 North Dakota State 7

Results - Sept. 14 Minnesota-Duluth 23 South Dakota 21 Nebraska-Omaha 45 Midwestern State 23 NW Missouri State 42 MSU, Mankato 31 Montana 31 Northern Colorado 14 North Dakota 66 Mesa State 7 Augustana 29 Southwest State 23 OT St. Cloud State 47 Northern State 15 South Dakota State 28 Chadron State 15

Results - Sept. 7 Missouri Western 10 South Dakota 3 Central Washington 43 North Dakota 7 St. Cloud State 45 Northern Michigan 17 NW Missouri State 23 Nebraska-Omaha 10 Minnesota-Duluth 44 MSU, Mankato 9 Northern Colorado 31 Western State 0 North Dakota State 34 Winona State 23

Results - August 29 MSU, Mankato 45 Bemidji State 23 North Dakota 57 Minnesota-Crookston 0 Nebraska-Kearney 35 Nebraska-Omaha 17

NCC STATS

TEAM CATEGORY - Scoring Offense, 9th, 12.2 points per game. Scoring Defense, 6th, 21.5 points per game. Pass Offense, 5th, 182.8 yards per game. Pass Defense, 4th, 175.0 yards per game. Kickoff Returns, 4th, 19.4. Punting, 1st, 38.8 (net punt avg.). Rushing Offense, 9th, 55.8 per game. Rushing Defense, 9th, 171.5 per game. Total Offense, 9th, 238.5 per game. Total Defense, 7th, 346.5 per game. Punt Returns, 8th, 6.7 yards per return. Pass Efficiency, 7th, 89.4. Turnover Margin, 8th, -1.00. First Downs, 9th, 52. Opponent First Downs, 8th, 86. Sacks by, 6th, 46. Penalties, 8th, 74.2 per game. Opponent Penalties, 3rd, 74.8 per game. Pass Defense Efficiency, 6th, 125.4. 3rd Down Conversions, 9th, 21.4% (12-56). Opponent 3rd Down Conversions, 6th, 33.9% (19-56). Sacks Against, 3rd, 8; Field Goals, 5th, .600 (3-5). PAT Kicking, 9th, .667 (4-6). 4th-Down Conversions, 6th, 42.9% (3-7). Opponent 4th-Down Conversions, 7th, 40% (2-5). Time of Possession, 9th, 26:11 per game. Kickoff Coverage: 6th, 20.1 yards per return. Individual - Pass Avg./Game: Ryan Justice, 7th, 110.8. Total Offense: Justice, 9th, 105.8. Receptions/Game: Davon Hudspeth, 7th, 16, 4.0 per game. Interceptions: Derrick Jelks, 4th, 2 int., .50 per game. Pass Efficiency: Sean McLaughlin, 7th, 113.9 Punt Return Average: Wesley Beschorner, 9th, 6.7 yards per return. Kick Return Average: Foster Brodus, 3rd, 26.0 yards per return. Punting: Jarrod Edelen, 2nd, 40.7 yards per kick. Scoring - Kick: Cody Butler, 7th, 2.5 points per game. Field Goals: Cody Butler, 6th, 2-3, .50 per game; Jarrod Edelen, 7th, 1-2, 50%, .25 per game. Tackles for Loss: Drew Barns, 2nd, 2.25 per game (9 total), Bill Gassen, 3rd, 2.0 per game (8 total). Tackles: Scott Lilland, 4th, 35, 8.8 per game; Barns, 5th, 32, 8.0 per game; Korey Ebel. 7th, 31, 7.8 per game.

COYOTE HISTORY ALL-TIME RECORD: 454-436-34 (.509) FIRST YEAR OF FOOTBALL: 1889 CONFERENCE TITLES: 9 (1927, 1938, 1939, 1947, 1951, 1972, 1973, 1974, 1978) ALL-NCC PERFORMERS: 210 ACADEMIC ALL-NCC: 83 NCC MVPs: 17 ALL-AMERICANS: 43 LAST TITLE: 1978 COLORS: Red and White STADIUM: DakotaDome (1979), 10,000 capacity

NFL NOTES: Jamel White, who was an all-American running back for South Dakota in 1999, had a big day for the Cleveland Browns in a 16-13 overtime setback to the Pittsburgh Steelers. White rushed for 105 yards on 16 carries, including a 54-yard run. He scored a touchdown from four yards and also caught three passes for 14 yards, although a 34-yard screen pass play was nullified due to penalty. He also had an 11-yard kickoff return. On the Cleveland Browns web site, head coach Butch Davis was pleased with White's play. "Jamel has the opportunity to make a lot of different kinds of things happen," Davis said. "He catches the ball, he has unique speed...he creates opportunities, and he played well today."

SOUTH DAKOTA STATISTICAL LEADERS (AFTER FOUR GAMES)

RUSHING ATT YDS LG TD Davon Hudspeth 48 169 20 2 Jason Anderson 20 81 13 1 PASSING ATT COM YDS LG TD INT Ryan Justice 90 44 443 55 1 8 Sean McLaughlin 49 27 288 34 2 1

RECEIVING REC. YDS LONG TD Davon Hudspeth 16 67 16 0 Chris Mikkelsen 12 176 50 1 Matt Taylor 10 142 55 1 Aaron Meline 10 103 25 1 DEFENSE TACKLES TFL FUMBLE SACKS Scott Lilland 35 2.0 0 0 Drew Barns 32 9.0 0 1 Korey Ebel 31 4.0 0 1 Bill Gassen 29 7.5 2 0

NORTH DAKOTA STATE STATISTICAL LEADERS RUSHING ATT YARDS LONG TDS Rod Malone 42 217 38 2 Keontay Jackson 40 137 22 1 Darrin O'Leary 7 30 8 0 PASSING ATT COM YDS LG TD INT Graig Gorder 50 111 454 24 1 3

RECEIVING REC. YARDS LONG TD Marques Johnson 10 81 24 0 Chuck Wiest 10 109 27 0 Travis White 9 96 31 0 INFO ON THE VISITORS - NDSU BISON

ON THE BISON: NDSU (1-2) has opened the season with one win in three games, including two games at the FargoDome. The Bison defeated then-#18 ranked Winona State, 34-23 at home in their nonconference season opener at the FargoDome on Sept. 7. The Bison then dropped a 35-7 decision to #11 ranked UC-Davis on Sept 20 on the road. Last weekend, Augustana ruined the Bison's North Central Conference home opener with a 23-6 upset over NDSU. On offense, the Bison will be led by running back Rod Malone who has 217 yards rushing on 42 carries. Quarterback Graig Gorder has completed 50 of 111 passes for 454 yards with one touchdown and three interceptions. Charles Wiest (10-109) and Marques Johnson (10-81) lead the receiving corps. In total offense, Gorder has averaged 156.7 yards per game. On defense, strong safety Bill Erenberg has recorded 18 tackles, included 3.5 tackles for loss while outside linebacker Mike Sheppard has 18 tackles and one tackle for loss. NDSU, which is averaging 4.0 per rush, has outgained opponents on the ground, 429 to 370. The Bison averaged 4.0 per rush. Opponents hold a 497 to 454 advantage in passing yardage. In terms of time of possession, the Bison have a slight advantage (30:35 to 29:25) over opponents.

RADIO: WDAY Radio of Fargo (970 AM) and the Bison Radio Network (including KXMR-AM-710 of Bismarck, N.D., KEYZ-AM -660 of Williston and KDLR-AM-1240 of Devils Lake, N.D. broadcast Bison football. Scott Miller handles the play-by-play with Jack Michaels doing the color and Steve Hallstrom handling sideline and locker room interviews. The radio broadcast begins at 6:15 p.m. on Saturday night.

LAST WEEK: Despite being outgained by 149 yards, Augustana College defeated North Dakota State University 23-6 on Saturday, Sept. 28, spoiling the Bison's North Central Conference opener before a crowd of 10,260 at the Fargodome. The win was Augustana's first in 40 years at Fargo, and it snapped the Bison's 22-game home winning streak. Brett Scherschligt returned a Bison fumble 55 yards and Adam Brinkman converted the point-after kick to put Augustana (4-0, 2-0 NCC) up 7-0 just over 4 minutes into the game. It held up as the game-winning score. The Vikings held NDSU (1-2, 0-1) scoreless into the fourth quarter, when Rod Malone scored from a yard out to put the Bison on the board. Malone's carry on the ensuing 2-point try was stopped. Pete Sterbick scored on an 11-yard run late in the second quarter to put the Vikings up 13-0. After a Mike Stotz interception, Brinkman kicked a 23-yard field goal to up the margin to 16-0 as the first half expired. After Malone's fourth-quarter score, the Vikings' Nathan Walter added a 25-yard TD run with 3:31 left in the game for the final margin. The Bison led 281-132 in total yardage, getting 57 yards from running back Rod Malone and 96 receiving yards from Travis White. NDSU threw for 206 yards behind a 21-for-39 performance by the senior quarterback Graig Gorder.