VERMILLION, S.D. -- South Dakota (2-0) upset ninth-ranked Minnesota-Duluth (1-1), 10-7, in nonconference football action before 3,212 in attendance at the DakotaDome on Saturday, Sept. 13. With the win, USD ended a two-game losing streak to the Bulldogs.
The Coyotes grabbed a 10-0 lead and held on against the Bulldogs, whose winning streak against North Central Conference opponents ended at seven. For USD, it is their first 2-0 start since the 2000 season. With the win, USD improved its mark vs. NSIC schools to 23-6. USD is now 38-23 in nonconference games since 1974, that includes a 27-15 mark at home. USD improved to 89-49 (.641) record at the DakotaDome since the facility opened in 1979.
Leading the way for the Coyotes was sophomore quarterback Wesley Beschorner (Lohrville, Iowa), who completed 19-of-29 passes for 177 yards and had a two-yard touchdown pass to senior wide receiver Aaron Meline of Urbandale, Iowa. He also had 38 yards rushing on 10 carries. Senior running back Anthony Tharrington (Lubbock, Texas) rushed for 111 yards on 16 carries.
"I am really proud of our team. Defensively, we played a very solid football game. We will enjoy this one, analyze it and try to get better," said South Dakota head football coach John Austin, who improved his overall record to 19-26. "I don't think we played as well as we can but we can learn from that and improve as a result," Austin said in a post-game press conference.
South Dakota scored first when its defense created a turnover late in the second quarter. After the Bulldogs had moved the ball to the Coyotes' 32-yard line, junior Tim Schellhammer (Chatfield, Minn.) sacked Bulldog quarterback Erik Anderson, forcing a fumble that senior defensive tackle Aaron Dietrich (Emmetsburg, Iowa) recovered with 1:42 to play in the first half. On the Coyotes' ensuing drive, Beschorner led USD on a nine-play, 65-yard scoring drive, culminated by a two-yard touchdown pass to Meline. On the drive, Beschorner completed passes of 16 yards to Nick Cunningham (Albert Lea, Minn.), and 13 yards and 16 yards to senior wide receiver Matt Taylor (Oakland, Calif.). Beschorner also had a 12-yard run on the drive. USD led 7-0 at halftime.
The Coyotes added to their lead on a 22-yard field goal by junior place-kicker Cody Butler with 3:04 to play in the third quarter. The scoring drive covered 75 yards on nine plays. Minnesota-Duluth pulled within 10-7 when running back Dave Rufledt scored on a one-yard run with 9:51 to play in the game.
The Bulldogs had a chance to tie the game late in the fourth quarter after pinning the Coyotes deep in their own territory. After a 29-yard punt by USD's Jarrod Edelen, the Bulldogs received the ball at the USD 32-yard line but were unable to move the ball. UMD's Chad Gerlach missed a 47-yard field goal and the Coyotes ran out the clock.
Overall, USD had 354 yards in total offense, including 177 through the air and 177 yards on the ground. Taylor had six receptions for 60 yards and Chris Mikkelsen (Gregory, S.D.) had five receptions for 35 yards.
UMD had 324 yards in total offense, including 110 yards rushing and 214 yards passing. Stevon Ray led the Bulldogs with 54 yards rushing while Rufledt had 45 yards on the ground. Anderson completed 19-of-32 passes for 214 yards and one interception. UMD's All-American receiver Tim Battaglia had 10 catches for 145 yards.
On defense, USD was led by senior linebacker Josh Gassen (Rapid City, S.D.), who had 10 tackles, including seven solo stops and a tackle for loss. Senior cornerback Dwight Anderson (Queens, N.Y.) had nine tackles, including eight solo stops to go with a tackle for loss, forced fumble and a pass interception. Redshirt freshman Ryan Hedden (Fairmont, Neb.) had seven tackles and 2.5 tackles for loss. USD had nine tackles for loss, a quarterback sack, two fumble recoveries and a pass interception.
UMD was led by Brian Wenngatz with eight tackles and a tackle for loss. Russel Rabe, Dave Otto and Brian Hendrickson also had eight tackles.
Next for South Dakota is a matchup with Wisconsin-LaCrosse on Saturday, Sept. 20, at 1 p.m. at Veterans Memorial Stadium in LaCrosse, Wis.
