VERMILLION, S.D. - Filip Filipovic, a former punter for the South Dakota Coyotes football team, is expected to sign a contract on Wednesday (today) with the Dallas Cowboys and will kick on Sunday vs. the Seattle Seahawks in Dallas Stadium.

Filipovic replaces Micah Knorr, who was cut Tuesday by the Cowboys. Knorr and Filipovic had competed for the punting job in preseason with Knorr winning out due to his previous experience as a holder. Filipovic may be asked to also handle holding duties for the Cowboys.

"I knew it was going to happen (signing with Dallas or another NFL team)," said South Dakota head football coach John Austin. "Filip is an outstanding kicker with a quick punting motion and great hang time," Austin said.

"He was here last week, working out with our kickers. He was just waiting for a call," Austin said. "Then it happened this week - he was called to Dallas for a tryout. I got an email from him last night and he told me that he did really well. He said, 'Coach it looks like I will be punting on Sunday.' He was really excited and upbeat," said Austin.

Filipovic, a punter/kicker originally of Belgrade, Yugoslavia, had a solid career for the South Dakota Coyotes. In three seasons at South Dakota, Filipovic had 183 punts for 7,265 yards for an average of 39.7. He had a career long of 66 yards and knocked 35 kicks inside the 20-yard line.

Filipovic, who majored in health, physical education and recreation, finished fourth in the North Central Conference in 2001 with an average of 40.1 yards per kick. He had 53 punts for 2,126 yards, 16 punts inside the 20-yard line and a long of 66 yards. In 2001, Filipovic pulled double duty for the Coyotes, also serving as kicker. He made seven of 10 field goals and 17 of 18 PATs. He ranked third in the NCC by making 62.5 percent of his field goals and he was fifth in the NCC by making 92.3 percent of his extra points. In 2000, Filipovic ranked seventh in NCAA Division II with a 40.7 average. He was second in the NCC in punting, recording a long of 62 yards and placing 15 kicks inside the 20-yard line. He was the USD Special Team co-MVP for the season. Overall, he had 73 kicks for 2,969 yards. In 1999, he averaged 38.1 yards per kick, including a long of 56 yards. He had 57 punts for 2,170 yards and four kicks inside the 20-yard line. Filipovic has come a long way in three short years. Originally of Belgrade, Yugoslavia,

Filipovic came to America in 1997. He completed his high school education in Youngstown, Ohio and attended Urbana College in Ohio and Eastern Michigan before finding a home at USD. His parents, Dragan and Gordana Filipovic, still live in Vermillion.