SERIES: Minnesota-Duluth defeated South Dakota, 14-10, at Duluth, Minn., in the second game (Sept. 8, 2001) of the 2001 season and holds a 1-0 series lead. It was the first-ever meeting between the two schools.

COYOTES TO TRY AND END LOSING SKEIN: The Coyotes have lost four straight games dating back to last season (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.

NONCONFERENCE NOTES ON SOUTH DAKOTA: The Coyotes have a 4-3 record in nonconference games with head coach John Austin at the helm. The Coyotes are 3-1 at the Dome in nonconference games.

JUSTICE BECOMES COYOTES' CAREER PASSING LEADER; MOVES UP TOTAL OFFENSE CHART: With 116 yards passing on Sept. 7, Ryan Justice of Ankeny, Iowa, became the all-time passing leader. He has now completed 378 passes in 759 attempts for 4,806 yards, 30 touchdowns and 24 interceptions. Justin Seurer 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. In addition, Justice ranks third all-time in total offense with 875 attempts for 4,897 yards. Justice trails Chris Miller (1994-97) by 223 yards. Miller had 5,120 total offensive yards on 883 attempts during his career. 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 attempts for 1,938 yards in 2000. A year ago, Justice averaged 180 yards per game which was sixth in the NCC. He had 1,755 yards (334 plays) in total offense which was seventh in the NCC.

33 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 33 straight games. He opened the season by recording a quarterback sack (-12 yards)and had three tackles and a tackle for loss.

DEBUTS: Several players made their debuts with the Coyotes vs. Missouri Western on Sept. 7. Junior running back Jason Anderson gained 64 yards on 16 carries while junior running back Davon Hudspeth had 35 yards rushing. In addition, redshirt freshman Sean McLaughlin completed seven of 13 passes for 49 yards.

TEAM AWARDS - MISSOURI WESTERN GAME: Defensive MVP: Josh Gassen (Rapid City, S.D.); Honorable Mention Defensive MVP: Derrick Jelks (St. Petersburg, Fla.); Defensive Hustle Award: Drew Barns (Rapid City, S.D.), Tim Schellhammer (Chatfield, Minn.); Offensive MVP Honorable Mention: Jason Anderson (Palmdale, Calif.), Aaron Meline (Urbandale, Iowa); Offensive Hustle Award: Tom Moore (Centerville, S.D.) and Rob Cupich (Omaha, Neb.); Special Teams MVP: Cody Butler (Hastings, Neb.); Scout Team MVP - Offense: Nick Bliek, (Larchwood, Iowa); Scout Team MVP - Defense: Garon Borowski (Ralston, Neb.). Big Plays - Offense: Paul Tschetter (Sioux Falls, S.D.), Foster Brodus, Newport News, Va., Davon Hudspeth (Rancho Cucumonga, Calif.). Big Plays - Defense: Jelks, Kellen Burch (St. Paul, Minn.), J. Gassen, Barns, Korey Ebel (Hartley, Iowa), and Aaron Dietrich (Emmetsburg, Iowa).

LAST WEEK: Coyotes drop 10-3 decision to Missouri Western - In a tight defensive struggle, one breakdown on special teams can prove the difference as was the case in Missouri Western's 10-3 decision over South Dakota on Saturday night at the Hall of Fame Game in the DakotaDome. The Griffons (2-0) used an 81-yard kickoff return by Darwin Pitts to set up the only touchdown of the game in their win. Just prior to that return, the Coyotes had grabbed a 3-0 when Cody Butler converted a 40-yard field goal to cap off an eight-play 23-yard scoring drive at the 11:39 mark of the second quarter. The score was set up when junior linebacker Josh Gassen (Rapid City, S.D.) recovered a fumble by Griffons' quarterback Michael Cooper at the Missouri Western 49-yard line. Pitts' return moved the ball to the Coyotes' 14-yard line. Three plays later, Cooper connected on a 13-yard touchdown pass to Jon Schoonover with 9:45 to play in the second quarter. That was all the scoring for night until the Griffons tacked on a field goal in the fourth quarter. Dane Broadie converted a 36-yard field goal with 7:36 to play in the game to give the Griffons a 10-3 lead. The score capped on a 13-play, 37-yard scoring drive. On the night, South Dakota outgained Missouri Western 263-204 in total offense. USD, who held a 30:58 to 29:02 advantage in time of possession, also held the upper hand in first downs, 13-9. The Coyotes also held advantages in rushing, 98-80, and passing, 165-124. Individually, the Coyotes were led by junior running back Jason Anderson (Palmdale, Calif.) who gained 64 yards on 16 carries. Junior running Davon Hudspeth (Rancho Cucumonga, Calif.) had 34 yards on eight carries as the Coyotes totaled 98 rushing yards on 32 carries. Senior quarterback Ryan Justice (Ankeny, Iowa) set an all-time passing record for South Dakota with 116 yards passing. He completed 11 of 24 passes but had three interceptions, all in the first half. He now has 4,806 yards in his career, moving him past former Coyote Jason Seurer, who had 4,759 yards from 1989-92. Freshman quarterback Sean McLaughlin (Omaha, Neb.) completed seven of 13 passes for 49 yards in his debut as a Coyote. Aaron Meline (Urbandale, Iowa) led the Coyote receivers with five receptions for 33 yards while Foster Brodus (Newport News, Va.) caught three passes for 27 yards. Defensively, the Coyotes were led by Josh Gassen, who had eight tackles, one tackle for loss, a forced fumble and a fumble recovery. Aaron Dietrich (Emmetsburg, Iowa), who had 21 tackles for loss a year ago, had three TFLs (-12) to go with seven tackles. Senior linebacker Drew Barns (Rapid City, S.D.) had seven tackles and three TFLs while senior nose guard Bill Gassen (Rapid City, S.D.) had five tackles and three tackles for loss as the Coyotes had 11 tackles for loss as a team. Dietrich, Barns and Korey Ebel (Hartley, Iowa) all recorded quarterback sacks.

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 sixth season as the voice of the Coyotes. Veteran sportscaster Joe Van Goor will provide color 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.

AT THE DAKOTADOME: South Dakota owns a 84-47(.646) 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 before moving into the Dome. USD defeated Yankton, 19-0 in the first game played (Sept. 27, 1924) at Inman Stadium.

2002 COYOTE TEAM CAPTAINS: The captains for the 2002 season will include: Korey Ebel, a 6'3 240-pound senior linebacker from Hartley, Iowa; Justin Martinson, a 5'11, 190 pound senior defensive back from Inwood, Iowa; Jimmy Terwilliger, a 6'3, 287-pound senior offensive lineman from Guthrie Center, Iowa; Neil Ryan, a 6'4, 293-pound senior offensive lineman from Cedar Rapids, Iowa; and Ryan Justice, a 6'2, 210-pound quarterback senior from Ankeny, Iowa. Justice and Ebel are both serving their second year as captains for the South Dakota football team.

LAST TIME: A year ago, mistakes hurt South Dakota in a 14-10 loss to Minnesota-Duluth at Duluth, Minn. In the first-ever meeting between the schools, the Coyotes had a 10-7 lead and were threatening to score when disaster struck. A fumble by Michael Williams at the Minnesota-Duluth 15-yard line was picked up by UMD's Mike Randall who scampered 77-yards for the go-ahead score. USD moved the ball into Minnesota-Duluth territory (inside 20-yard line) but a fourth down pass fell incomplete. On the night, South Dakota lost three of four fumbles, had one interception and were penalized 90 yards, including several at crucial periods as the Coyotes were driving deep into Minnesota-Duluth territory. A 30-yard touchdown run by freshman Michael Williams was wiped out by penalty and USD also dropped a touchdown pass, which also would have been wiped out by penalty. The Coyotes' defense allowed 203 total yards, after the Bulldogs had 166 total yards in the opening half. Meanwhile South Dakota had 391 yards in total offense, including nearly 260 yards in the second half. South Dakota held a 16-13 advantage in first downs and held the time of possession margin, 32:02 to 27:57. South Dakota had a 196-98 advantage in rushing yards and a 195-105 margin in passing. South Dakota had 73 offensive plays to 56 by Minnesota-Duluth. Early on Minnesota-Duluth jumped to a quick 7-0 lead when Jared Murray broke free for a 43-yard scoring run. The Bulldogs scored on a four play, 72-yard drive to grab the lead with 13:12 to play in the first quarter. The lead did not last long as the Coyotes' defense scored after a turnover put the Coyotes in a precarious situation early. After a first down run netted five yards for the Bulldogs, the Coyotes' Korey Ebel picked off a Ricky Fritz's pass at the 12-yard line and rambled 88 yards for a touchdown with 12:46 to play. The fabulous defensive play by Ebel tied a school record set in 1939 by USD's Jack Johnson vs. North Dakota State in 1939. After that, offenses struggled to put points on the board for the remainder of the game. The Coyotes finally broke through and grabbed a 10-7 lead on a 31-yard field goal by Filip Filipovic with 9:43 to play in the first half.

TEAM INFORMATION --

2001 RECORD: 2-8 (1-7 in the NCC) LETTERWINNERS RETURNING/LOST: 30/13 STARTERS RETURNING/LOST: 14/9 STARTERS RETURNING/LOST OFFENSE: 6/5 STARTERS RETURNING/LOST DEFENSE: 8/3 BASE OFFENSE: Multiple, Pro BASE DEFENSE: 4-3 2002 SOUTH DAKOTA FOOTBALL SCHEDULE

SEPT. 7 - MISSOURI WESTERN 10 SOUTH DAKOTA 3 SEPT. 14 - MINNESOTA-DULUTH, DAKOTADOME, 7 p.m. SEPT. 21 -- at St. Cloud State *, Selke Field, St. Cloud Minn., 1 p.m. SEPT. 28 - at Neb.-Omaha*, Al Caniglia Field, Omaha, Neb., 7 p.m. 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.

COYOTE HISTORY

ALL-TIME RECORD: 454-433-34 (.511) 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

UNIVERSITY PROFILE LOCATION: Vermillion, SD 57069 FOUNDED: 1862 ENROLLMENT: 8,191 NATIONAL AFFILIATION: NCAA Division II CONFERENCE: North Central Conference ACTING PRESIDENT: Dr. Donald Dahlin (Carroll College) VICE PRESIDENT: Greg Redlin (South Dakota '71) DIRECTOR OF ATHLETICS: Kelly Higgins, (605) 677-5309, email: khiggins@usd.edu ASSOCIATE ATHLETIC DIRECTOR: Eric Schoh (605) 677-5760, email: eschoh@usd.edu ASSOCIATE ATHLETICS DIRECTOR/SENIOR WOMEN'S ADMINISTRATOR: Kim Zarling (605) 677-6587, email: kzarling@usd.edu ASSISTANT ATHLETIC DIRECTOR (COMPLIANCE/STUDENT SERVICES): Josh Snyder (605) 677-8840, email: jsnyder@usd.edu NCC INSTITUTIONAL REP.: Professor Jack Powell NICKNAME: Coyotes (KI-YOTES, not KI-YOH-TEES) COLORS: Red and White STADIUM: DakotaDome (1979), 10,000 capacity SPORTS INFORMATION Dan Genzler, director Phone: (605) 677-5927, Fax: (605) 677-6273, Home: (605) 624-3302, email: dgenzler@usd.edu, web: www.usdcoyotes.com 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: 14-19 (fourth year) OVERALL NCC RECORD: 10-16

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 14-19-career record at South Dakota, including a 10-16 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. 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 events. Yote Day stresses the importance of camaraderie, leadership, unity and spirit of competition. In addition, Coach Austin has established a Players Locker Room. Former Coyote players sponsored 105 wooden lockers. The USD football program added all new digital and video editing equipment in 1999. An 8,000 square foot fully equipped weight room was added in 2001. Austin, who has served as honorary chairman for the Multiple Sclerosis Society, regularly speaks at banquets, schools service clubs and businesses throughout the state. Austin has deep roots in South Dakota. An all-state performer for Watertown (1973-74), Austin played under Bernard "Beanie" Cooper and Dave Triplett during his Coyote career in which he started three years and lettered four years. He started his first game in a Coyote uniform as a freshman. After missing the 1976 season due to injury, he returned in 1977 to play strong safety for Cooper's Coyotes. In 1978, he started at weakside linebacker. He was honorable mention all-North Central Conference in 1979 and was a co-captain for Triplett's first team. 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. With Austin as Iowa's recruiting coordinator, the 1994 recruiting class was rated third best in the Big Ten and 6th nationally. At Iowa, he coached three all-Big Ten linemen and two All-Americans. Seven players he recruited at Iowa 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. 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 - 0-1

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.

SOUTH DAKOTA STATISTICAL LEADERS

RUSHING ATT YARDS LG Jason Anderson 16 67 12 Davon Hudspeth 8 35 11 PASSING ATT COM YDS LG INT Ryan Justice 24 11 116 22 3 Sean McLaughlin 13 7 49 21 0 RECEIVING REC. YARDS LONG Aaron Meline 5 33 8 Foster Brodus 3 27 12 Wes Beschorner 2 26 22 Jason Anderson 2 22 15 Davon Hudspeth 2 4 7 Chris Mikkelsen 1 22 22 Paul Tschetter 1 21 21 DEFENSE TACKLES TFL FUMBLE SACKS Josh Gassen 8.0 1 (-1) 1 Aaron Dietrich 7.0 3 (-12) 0 1 (-10) Drew Barns 7.0 3 (-5) 0 1 (-3) Bill Gassen 5.0 3 (-11) 0 0 MINN-DULUTH STATISTICAL LEADERS RUSHING ATT YARDS LG Dave Rufledt 15 60 14 Ricky Fritz 6 24 12 PASSING ATT COM YDS LG TD INT Ricky Fritz 16 7 139 41 1 0 RECEIVING REC. YARDS LONG TD Tim Battaglia 4 90 41 1 Steve Battaglia 2 34 22 0 Chris Kuhl 1 15 15 0 DEFENSE Tackles TFL INT SACKS Adam Skinner 6.5 1.5 (-14) 1-59 1.5 (-14) Curtin Shanklin 4.5 0 0 0

NCC Football Standings Standings through Saturday, September 7

Augustana 1-0 North Dakota State 1-0 Northern Colorado 1-0 St. Cloud State 1-0 Minn. St., Mankato 1-1 North Dakota 1-1 South Dakota State 0-0 South Dakota 0-1 Nebraska-Omaha 0-2

Last Week's Results Saturday, September 7

Augustana 14, Northern State 6 Central Washington 43, North Dakota 7 St. Cloud State 45, Northern Michigan 17 Northwest Missouri St. 23, Nebraska-Omaha 10 Minnesota-Duluth 44, Minnesota St., Mankato 9 Missouri Western St. 10, South Dakota 3 Northern Colorado 31, Western State 0 North Dakota State 34, Winona State 23 This Week's Matchups Saturday, September 14

Midwestern State at Nebraska-Omaha, Noon NW Missouri St. at Minn. St., Mankato, 1 p.m. Northern Colorado at Montana, 1:05 p.m. Mesa State at North Dakota, 1:30 p.m. Augustana at Southwest State, 7 p.m. St. Cloud State at Northern State, 7 p.m. Minnesota-Duluth at South Dakota, 7 p.m. Chadron State at South Dakota State, 7 p.m.

AFCA POLL: Grand Valley State (Mich.) is the #1 ranked team in the American Football Coaches Association Division II Coaches' Poll as of Sept. 10. Grand Valley State opened with a 24-17 win over UC-Davis.

The top 10 includes: Grand Valley State, 1-0 Valdosta State (Ga.) 2-0 Pittsburgh St. (Kan.) 1-0 Saginaw Valley (Mich) 1-0 Carson-Newman (Tenn.) 2-0 Tarleton State (Texas) 2-0 Tuskegee (Ala.) 2-0 Catawba (1-0) Northwest Missouri St. 1-0 Chadron State (Neb.) 1-0

A little footnote on Missouri Western: The Griffons (2-0) moved into the #25 spot in the AFCA Poll this week following their 10-3 win over the Coyotes on Sept. 7.

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.

HOUSE MAKES $100,000 GIFT: During the 2002 Coyotes Sports Hall of Fame ceremony on Sept. 7, inductee Dr. John House of Irving, Texas, made a substantial gift for scholarships at The University of South Dakota Athletic Department. House, a 1977 graduate of USD, made a gift of $100,000 following his induction into the Hall of Fame. He was one of seven individuals inducted into the Hall.

USD OPENS HENRY HEIDER MEMORIAL HALL OF FAME: Following the Coyote Sports Hall of Fame induction ceremonies on Sept. 7, South Dakota held a grand opening for the Henry Heider Memorial Hall of Fame on the main corridor of the DakotaDome. Plaques, including photos and short biographies of all 205 members of the Hall of Fame, are located at the Heider Hall of Fame.

NFL NOTES: Jamel White, a former all-American running back at South Dakota, started the season opener for the Cleveland Browns, who dropped a 40-39 decision to Kansas City on Sunday afternoon. White had 12 carries for 42 yards rushing and three receptions for 20 yards receiving. Meanwhile, former Coyote linebacker Matt Chatham, now with the New England Patriots, recorded two tackles, including a solo stop, in the 30-14 win over Pittsburgh on Monday night. In addition, former Coyote offensive tackle Josh Burr was signed to the Pittsburgh taxi squad.

ON MINNESOTA-DULUTH UMD RANKED #21 BY D2FOOTBALL.COM: The Bulldogs, ranked #21 in the most recent D2football.com poll, is 1-0 after a 44-9 win over Minnesota State-Mankato on Saturday. A year ago, the UMD was 9-3 and finished second in the NSIC with a 7-2 mark. They also made their first-ever post-season appearance at the Mineral Water Bowl in Excelsior Springs, Mo. The 2001 Bulldogs were just the fourth UMD club to post nine or more wins in a single year.

BATTAGLIA MAKES 36TH STRAIGHT START: Senior wide receiver Steve Battaglia (Cloquet, Minn.), a two-time all-NSIC first team pick and the school's career pass reception leader, will make his 36th consecutive start Saturday night. He has managed at least one catch in all but one of his 35 games -- including the last 24 in a row (a school record).

UMD HAVING SUCCESS VS. NCC: After snapping a 12-game losing streak to NCC schools with a 23-18 win at Minnesota State University-Mankato in 2000, UMD has reeled off five straight victories at the expense of teams from that conference (three versus MSU-Mankato and one each against St. Cloud State and South Dakota).

STANLEY TO TRY FOOTBALL: After putting the finishing touches on a rewarding four-year basketball career last spring, Chris Stanley (Portage, Wis.) will try his hand at football in 2002. The 6-6, 230-pound senior is a reserve wide receiver but handles the club's No.1 long snapper duties.

INTERCEPTION STRING: UMD have come away with at least one interception in 26 of the past 29 games.

UMD TEAM CAPTAINS: A trio of fourth-year starters -- defensive end Nate Davis, a fourth year starter and 2002 all-NSIC second team pick, quarterback Ricky Fritz, the holder of virtually every UMD passing and total offense record, and offensive guard Peter Lawton, a two-time all-NSIC selection -- will all serve as UMD team captains for the 2002 season.

ON UMD HEAD COACH BOB NIELSON: Bob Nielsen, a 1982 graduate of Wartburg College, is in his fourth year at Minnesota-Duluth. He has a 20-15 overall record and is 1-0 vs. South Dakota. Nielson, who coach the Bulldogs to its first ever post-season appearance in 2001, joined the UMD program after guiding Wisconsin-Ea-Claire to the semifinal round of the 1998 NCAA Division II playoffs. He amassed a 10-3 record in his final season when Wisconsin-Eau Claire claimed a share of its first WIAC title in 15 years while establishing a school record for wins. Nielson has a 90-48-1 collegiate coaching record (.651). He spent five years as the head coach at Wartburg College.

UMD DEFEATS MINNESOTA STATE-MANKATO, 44-9: Minnesota-Duluth defeated Minnesota State-Mankato, 44-9 before 5,022 at Griggs Field in their season opener on Sept. 7. The Bulldogs got touchdowns from five different players and returned two interceptions and one fumble for a score in the victory, their fifth straight over a North Central Conference opponent. Senior fullback Tim Osthus (one-yard run), senior wide receiver Steve Battaglia (34-yard pass from senior quarterback Ricky Fritz), junior cornerback Cash Langeness (38-yard interception return, sophomore linebacker Adam Skinner (59-yard interception return) and junior linebacker Dave Otto (40-yard fumble recovery) accounted for the Bulldogs five touchdowns while junior place-kicker Chad Gerlach (two) and freshman place-kicker Michael Jacobs (one) combined for three field goals.

ALL-TIME RECORD: UMD has a 363-225-24 (.613) record in the 70-years of the program. BULLDOG RADIO: WEBC Radio (560 AM) will carry the game to the Duluth area. Howie Leather will handle the play-by-play duties with Dave Walter doing color.

ON THE SCHEDULE: After facing South Dakota, the Bulldogs will open their 2002 NSIC schedule with a Sept. 21 road engagement vs. Minnesota-Morris.