VERMILLION, S.D. -- South Dakota (3-0) will attempt to win its fifth straight game, its fourth this season, when the Coyotes host Wisconsin-LaCrosse in nonconference football on Carl Miller Day at the DakotaDome on Saturday, Sept. 18. The nonconference matchup between USD, ranked 34th in Division II by the College Sports Report, and Wisconsin-LaCrosse begins at 2 p.m. USD, which ranks third in the nation in scoring, will feature its explosive offense that is averaging 52 points a game and a defense that is allowing just 8.3 points per game. In fact the USD defense has held opponents without a TD for eight quarters, dating back to the fourth quarter of the Truman State win in game 1. Wisconsin-LaCrosse enters the game ranked second in NCAA Division III and is coming off a 34-13 road win over North Central Conference member Minnesota-Duluth.

At Stake The Coyotes will try to open 4-0 for the first time since the 1996 season when USD won the first five games of the 1996 season and was 6-1 before finishing 6-5. Last week, the Coyotes defeated MSU-Moorhead, 51-3 at the Dome.The Coyotes will try to open 4-0 for the first time since the 1998 season when USD opened with wins over Wayne State (24-14), Truman State (21-16) and Minnesota State, Mankato (29-26) before dropping its final eight games of that season. USD won the first five games of the 1996 season and was 6-1 before finishing 6-5. In 2004, USD has opened with a 49-22 win over Truman State at Kirksville, Mo., and a 56-0 over Peru State in the Coyotes' home season opener at the DakotaDome on Sept. 2.

Series Info South Dakota trails 1-0 in the all-time series with Wisconsin-LaCrosse, which is ranked No. 3 in NCAA Division III. The Coyotes dropped a 28-24 decision in 2003 to UWL in LaCrosse, Wisc.

USD to give away semester of tuition on Saturday - Yote Zone to Open at Noon Students from The University of South Dakota can enter a drawing to win free spring tuition at the South Dakota Coyotes' football game vs. Wisconsin-LaCrosse at 2 p.m. on Saturday, Sept.18. To win, the student must be present to win. Students need their university student I.D. card to register for the drawing. USD students have shown good support at athletics events this fall and that is something appreciated by the student-athletes and coaches. "We have taken notice of the student support and involvement during Coyote game days and this is another way for Coyote Athletics to say thank you for being a part of South Dakota's Team," said Eric Rawson, Coyote Athletics Marketing and Promotions and Games Manager. For ticket or game information, contact Eric Rawson at 605-677-5760. USD will provide family fun before and during the Coyotes' game on Saturday. Once again, USD will feature the Yote Zone, which includes a variety of pre-game festivities, beginning at noon.

South Dakota to Honor Carl Miller Sept. 18 For his leadership and vision in helping make the DakotaDome a reality, The University of South Dakota will honor former USD Athletics Director Carl Miller on Saturday, Sept. 18 at the Coyotes' football game with Wisconsin-LaCrosse. Miller will be recognized during halftime with a reception for Miller to be held following the game at Pro's. In his honor, South Dakota Governor Mike Rounds has proclaimed Sept. 18 as Carl Miller Day in South Dakota. During his service as athletics director at USD in the 1970s, Miller conceived the DakotaDome and became the principal advocate of the Dome project which led to private fundraising and promotional development of the facility. His vision enabled so many different events to take shape in the Dome, including the South Dakota High School Football Playoffs. Since leaving the USD campus, he worked at the University of North Dakota and Pacific University and has shown vision in development of other projects at other institutions of higher education. Before Miller came to USD, he served as chair of the North Dakota State physical education department for two years. A native of LaCrosse, Wis., Miller graduated from LaCrosse State in 1961. He also served as coach and A.D. at Mazonmanie, Wis., and returned to his prep alma mater LaCrosse Central as a coach and asst. A.D. He also worked at Huron College and was general manager of the Huron Phillies professional baseball team (Northern League).

Coyotes Broadcasts The University of South Dakota football game against Wisconsin-LaCrosse on Saturday, Sept. 18, will be broadcast on Sports Radio 1570 AM, Vermillion/Yankton, S.D. This season, USD will have expanded coverage including KJAM 103.1 FM in Madison and K-Talk 1340 AM in Rapid City. The Voice of the Coyotes, Kevin Culhane, will provide the play-by-play. Veteran broadcaster Joe Van Goor and Hall of Fame coach Max Hawk will provide commentary. Lane Grindle will pre-game duties. The game is also available on the Internet at www.usdcoyotes.com and on Teamline at 1-800-846-4700 (team code - 6056).

South Dakota Team MVPs Week by Week Week 1 vs. Truman State Offensive MVP: Derek Gearman(Lennox, S.D.); Defensive MVP: Kellen Burch (St. Paul, Minn.) Special Teams MVP: Ricardo Sorrell (Las Vegas, Nev.); Scout Team Offensive MVP: Davon Hudspeth (Rancho Cucumonga, Calif.); Scout Defensive MVP: Blaker Hoyer (DeSmet, S.D.)

Week 2 vs. Peru State Offensive MVP: Brian Alderson (Hartford, S.D.); Nate Carruthers (Omaha, Neb.); Defensive MVP: Ryan Hedden (Fairmont, Neb.) Special Team MVP: Cody Butler(Hastings, Neb.) Scout Team Offensive MVP: Jake Wilkinson (North Platte, Neb.); Scout Team Defensive MVP:Mykelle Wright (Minneapolis, Minn.)

Week 3 vs. Minnesota State Moorhead Offensive MVP: Travis Mlady (Bloomfield, Neb.); Defensive MVP; Tim Schellhammer (Chatfield, Minn.); Special Teams: Cody Butler (Hastings, Neb.); Scout Team Offensive MVP: Jason Bucholz (Ft. Pierre, S.D.); Scout Team Defensive MVP: Derek Zacharias (Hartford, S.D.)

South Dakota At Home in the Dome With the win over MSU Moorhead on Sept. 11, South Dakota improved to a 94-52 (.644) all-time record at the DakotaDome. The Coyotes defeated St. Thomas (Minn.), 22-6, in the first collegiate game played at the Dome in 1979. USD owned a 130-83-8 mark at Inman Stadium (1924 to 1979). USD defeated Yankton, 19-0, in the first game played (Sept. 27, 1924).

On South Dakota Head Coach Ed Meierkort Ed Meierkort is in his first season as head football coach at South Dakota. He was named South Dakota's 25th head football coach following a nationwide search in December 2003. Meierkort had served as head coach at Wisconsin-Stout since 1993. With the win over Truman State on August 28 in Kirksville, Mo., Meierkort is now 3-0 in his career at USD and 58-55 overall as a collegiate head coach. Meierkort led Wisconsin-Stout to a 29-11 record during the past four seasons. A relentless recruiter, Meierkort, 44, was responsible for a turning around the football fortunes at Wisconsin-Stout. By going to a balanced offense to complement its perennially strong defense, the Blue Devils became one of the best teams in the Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference. In 2000, Meierkort began the resurgence in Blue Devil football by registering one of the great turnaround seasons in not only Wisconsin-Stout history but in all of Division III. From a 2-8 record in 1999, Wisconsin-Stout won its first 10 games of the 2000 season, losing only in the NCAA Division III playoffs to St. John's (Minn.), 26-19. During that special season, the Blue Devils had a 7-0 record in one of the best Division III conferences in the nation. Wisconsin-Stout became just the 11th team to record a perfect conference mark since 1965. Meierkort was the 2000 Wisconsin Intercollegiate Conference Coach of the Year and the American Football Coaches Association Region V Coach of the Year. That year, he was a finalist for the AFCA National Coach of the Year award. From 2001-03, Wisconsin-Stout was nationally ranked, including a No. 5 ranking in 2000. His team's accomplishments in that span, include an 18-2 record at home, as well as an 11-6 record against the top five teams in the WIAC. Equally impressive is his record vs. NCAA Division II opponents. His teams played 19 Division II squads, recording nine wins at a program that does not offer athletic scholarships. In addition, Meierkort has recruited and coached 16 All-Americans and had two players move on to the National Football League. Meierkort's 1998 team finished second in the nation in passing offense and was nationally ranked in total offense (435 yards per game) and points scored (36 points per game). That same season, he coached the John Gagliardi finalist, NCAA Division III's top player, and the nation's total offense leader, Matt Bunyon. In 1998, Wisconsin-Stout defeated national semifinalist Wisconsin-Eau Claire, 35-7. Meierkort left Wisconsin-Stout as itsall-time wins leader with an overall mark of 55-55. Meierkort also served as an assistant (assistant head coach, recruiting coordinator, defensive coordinator and strength coach) at Southwest Minnesota State from 1983-93. He was the assistant head coach from 1989-93 and defensive coordinator from 1984-89. During his time with the Mustangs, the squad twice won the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference and qualified for the NAIA playoffs two times. Southwest Minnesota State finished in the top-10 twice, including a No. 5 ranking in 1990. He was the defensive coordinator for the NAIA's number-one ranked defense in 1988 and defensive coordinator for the nation's No. 2 ranked team in 1991. Prior to going to Southwest Minnesota State, he served as a graduate assistant at South Dakota State in 1983. During the 1982 season, he was the defensive coordinator and head baseball coach at Dakota Wesleyan University in Mitchell, S.D. Meierkort earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in business administration in 1982 from Dakota Wesleyan. Originally of Chicago, Ill., he also has a Master of Arts degree in athletic administration from South Dakota State University in 1987. He and his wife, Terri, have two sons, Reid and Chase.

Season Review (USD - 3-0) Game 1 -- South Dakota 49 Truman State 22 The South Dakota Coyotes football team (1-0) successfully opened the 2004 season with a 49-22 conquest of Truman State (0-1) before 3,100 at Stokes Stadium in Kirksville, Mo., on Saturday, August 28. The Coyotes improved to 12-3 all-time vs. the MIAA. South Dakota rolled up 548 yards in total offense. Against Truman State, the Coyotes were led by USD sophomore running back Travis Mlady (Bloomfield, Neb.), who rushed for a career-high 158 yards on 15 carries and scored a TD. Mlady, who came into the game with 42 career yards rushing, had runs of 38 and 39 yards that helped set up Coyote scores. Also for USD, sophomore wide receiver Derek Gearman (Lennox, S.D.) had an outstanding performance in his first career start. Gearman, who also excels on the USD track team, had three catches for 136 yards with two TDs. He had a school-record 88-yard TD catch in the third quarter and a 40-yard scoring reception in the fourth quarter. In addition, junior quarterback Wesley Beschorner accounted for a career-best four TDs, including three TD passes and a four-yard scoring run. Beschorner completed 11 of 17 passes for 198 yards and had one interception. He also rushed for 18 yards. The 88-yard pass play from Beschorner to Gearman in the third quarter set a USD game record for longest pass and longest reception, previously held on an 84-yard pass play from Tom Engelman to Joe Trudeau against Idaho State in 1971. Running back Stefan Logan (sophomore, Miami, Fla.), who played just the first half, had eight carries for 79 yards and three catches for 20 yards. On defense, USD limited Truman State to 59 yards on the ground and 345 yards in total offense. In addition, USD had four quarterback sacks, six tackles for loss, recovered a fumble and had an interception. USD scored first when senior Wes Beschorner (Lohrville, Iowa) connected with senior tight end Paul Tschetter (Sioux Falls, S.D.) on a seven-yard scoring strike with 12:13 to play in the quarter. After Truman State's Jerard Leverson scored from one-yard out (3:14, 1st quarter) to tie the game at 7-7, it was Beschorner who helped USD retake the lead. Beschorner scored on a four-yard run with 9:28 to play in the first half as USD took a 14-7 lead. The home-standing Bulldogs answered as A.J. Weber caught a two-yard TD pass from Jake Czeschin to tie the game at the 3:31 mark of the second quarter. Just before halftime, USD scored the go-ahead TD on a special teams play. With 43 seconds to play in the half, senior Chris Mikkelsen (Gregory, S.D.) had a 68-yard punt return but fumbled the ball into the end zone, which was recovered by USD's Ricardo Sorrell. With Cody Butler's conversion, the Coyotes led 21-14 with 21 seconds left in the half. rom that point on, USD outscored the Bulldogs, 28-8, in the second half. Sophomore fullback Tyler Evans (Stewart, Minn.) scored his first career TD on a 35-yard run at the 13:23 mark of the third quarter as USD led, 28-14. For the game, Evans rushed for a career-best 59 yards on seven carries. On USD's next possession, Beschorner and Gearman worked their school-record passing magic. On a second-down play from the 12-yard line, Beschorner found a wide open Gearman, who caught the ball in stride and sprinted to the end zone on the 88-yard scoring play at the 10:26 mark of the third quarter as USD led, 35-14. Gearman and Beschorner connected again on a 40-yard scoring play with 10:45 left in the fourth quarter. USD closed out its scoring on the day when Mlady scored on an eight-yard TD run at the 5:27 mark of the fourth quarter for a 49-14 lead. Truman State scored with 15 seconds left on a two-yard run by Jonathan Duffy. Duffy also scored on the two-point conversion to close out the scoring. Defensively, Ryan Hedden, a sophomore from Fairmont, Neb., led the Coyotes with eight tackles. Sophomore defensive back Jordan Davis (Summerset, Texas), junior Garon Borowski (Ralston, Neb.), redshirt freshman defensive tackle, Zach Johnson (Brookings, S.D.) and junior defensive tackle Adam Schwab (Mantorville, Minn.) had quarterback sacks. Junior defensive back Kellen Burch (St. Paul, Minn.) had an interception and Brett Peterson (Clear Lake, Iowa) had a fumble recovery. Also for USD, quarterback Sean McLaughlin (Omaha, Neb.) completed three of five passes for 39 yards, including a 32-yard pass play to redshirt freshman Brooks Little (Castlewood, S.D.). Punter Luke Mikkelsen (sophomore, Gregory, S.D.) averaged 41.4 yards on four punts (164 yards), including a long of 45 yards. Kicker Cody Butler (Hastings, Neb.) hit all seven of his extra point conversions.

Game 2 -- South Dakota 56 Peru State Both Wes Beschorner and Travis Mlady once again shined as the South Dakota Football Team (2-0) defeated Peru State (0-2) in the Coyotes' home season opener before a raucous and energized crowd of 5,512 at a refreshed DakotaDome on Thursday night. For the second straight game, USD totaled more than 500 yards in total offense with 510 yards on 57 plays. USD had 324 yards rushing and 186 passing yards. It was the second straight game that the Coyotes had rolled up more than 300 yards on the ground. Leading the way was Mlady, a sophomore who had 152 yards on 12 carries with two TDs. Mlady, who had a long of 46 yards, averaged 12.7 yards per carry. Junior quarterback Wesley Beschorner, the reigning NCC Player of the Week, again accounted for four TDs, including three passing and one rushing. South Dakota controlled the NAIA Peru State Bobcats from the start. USD led 14-0 after one quarter and built the lead to 35-0 at halftime. USD scored a TD in the third quarter and had two scores in the final quarter of play. The Coyotes opened the scoring when Beschorner scored on a 14-yard run. With Cody Butler (Hastings, Neb.) extra point, USD led, 7-0, at the 8:09 mark of the first quarter. Later in the first quarter, Beschorner and sophomore wide receiver Derek Gearman (Lennox, S.D.) connected on a 43-yard pass play at the 4:51 mark. With Butler's kick, USD led, 14-0. Sophomore Tyler Evans (Stewart, Minn.) scored his second rushing TD of the season on a five-yard run with 10:45 to play in the second quarter. Butler's extra point gave USD a 21-0 lead. The lead grew to 28-0 when Mlady scored on a six-yard run at the 4:32 mark of the second quarter. The Coyotes closed out the first-half scoring when Beschorner threw a 26-yard TD pass to Brooks Little (Castlewood, S.D.). It was Little's first career TD reception. After the score, Butler's extra point kick gave USD a 35-0 lead at halftime. Beschorner threw his third TD pass of the night when senior Paul Tschetter (Sioux Falls, S.D.) hauled in a 10-yard scoring reception with 12:14 to play in the third quarter. With Butler's extra point kick, USD led, 42-0. Mlady scored on a 13-yard run with 13:16 to play in the fourth quarter. Butler's kick made the score, 49-0. The Coyotes closed out the scoring when Ryan Molencamp recovered a fumble by Evans in the end zone with 8:47 to play in the game. With Butler's kick, USD led, 56-0. On the night, Beschorner completed 9-of-14 passes for 138 yards with three TDs and one interception. Overall, USD completed 13-of-18 passes for 186 yards. Senior Chris Mikkelsen (Gregory, S.D.) had four receptions for 35 yards, including a long of 15 yards. Mikkelsen also had four punt returns for 63 yards, including a long of 39 yards. Gearman's TD reception now gives him four catches on the season and three TDs, with all three scores better than 40 yards. On the ground, USD received 53 yards rushing on six carries from sophomore Stefan Logan (Miami, Fla.), who left the game in the first half. Beschorner had six carries for 45 yards and a TD while Evans had 39 yards on six carries. Newcomer Darnell Pitts (Sioux City, Iowa) had 27 yards on five carries. Tschetter ended with three receptions for 34 yards while David Cronin had two receptions for 36 yards, including a long of 21 yards. Luke Mikkelsen had two punts for 107 yards or 53.5 per kick. On defense, the Coyotes limited Peru State to 22 yards rushing on 30 carries and 134 yards in total offense. USD had four quarterback sacks and 10 tackles for loss. Senior Mike Meekins (Superior, Neb.) led USD with seven tackles. Senior Tim Schellhammer (Chatfield, Minn.) had five tackles, including four tackles for loss and a quarterback sack. Game 3- USD 51, MSU Moorhead 3 The South Dakota Football Team moved to 3-0 with a 51-3 nonconference football win over Minnesota State Moorhead (0-3) before 4,486 at the DakotaDome on Saturday, Sept. 11. Overall, South Dakota now has a four-game winning streak, dating back to a 56-7 win to end the 2003 season. South Dakota's offense was in full throttle again with 487 yards in total offense on 66 plays. The Coyotes rolled up 348 yards on 46 rushing attempts and had 139 yards passing. It was the third straight game that USD has totaled more than 300 yards rushing. With its 51 points against the Dragons, USD now has 156 points this season which is a school-record for a three-game span to open the season. The previous mark was held by the 1996 Coyote team which had 142 points. USD sophomore running back Travis Mlady of Bloomfield, Neb., totaled 128 yards on 14 carries and two TDs. Mlady, who had his first career start on Saturday, now has three straight 100-yard-plus rushing games this season. Quarterback Wesley Beschorner (Lohrville, Iowa) had another solid game with 61 yards rushing on eight carries and a TD. He also completed 8-of-15 passes for 108 yards, a TD and an interception. Beschorner has now accounted for 10 TDs this season, including seven passing TDs and three rushing scores. Tyler Evans (Stewart, Minn.) added 49 yards rushing on seven carries while backup quarterback Sean McLaughlin (Omaha, Neb.) had 42 yards rushing on four attempts and completed 3-of-5 passes for 31 yards and a TD. Chris Mikkelsen, a senior from Gregory, S.D., caught four passes for 66 yards with a TD. South Dakota opened the scoring on Mlady's two-yard TD run at the 13:17 mark of the first quarter. With Cody Butler's PAT, USD led 7-0. Shortly thereafter, MSU Moorhead put up its only points of the day on a 31-yard field goal by Clint Greet at the 9:08 mark of the first quarter. The Coyotes answered and swiftly. USD scored three more TDs in the first quarter. First, sophomore wide receiver Derek Gearman (Lennox, S.D.) scored on a 13-yard reverse at the 8:38 mark and with Butler's kick, USD took a 14-3 lead. Mlady scored his second TD of the day and fifth of the season on a 35-yard run at the 4:34 mark of the first quarter. With Butler's PAT, USD led 21-3. A few minutes later, Mikkelsen hauled in a 33-yard TD pass from Beschorner at the 1:49 mark. With Butler's PAT, USD took a 28-3 lead. Butler added a 23-yard field goal with 3:12 to play in the second quarter to cap a 13-play, 82-yard drive as USD led, 31-3. With 33 seconds to play in the first half, Beschorner scored on a six-yard run. With Butler's PAT, USD led 38-3 at halftime. Butler, who did not have a field goal try in the first two games, added his second and third field goals of the game in the third quarter. Butler connected on a 37-yard field goal at the 13:03 mark and hit a 48-yard field goal at the 7:51 mark of the quarter as USD led, 44-3. The Coyotes closed out the scoring on McLaughlin's 10-yard TD pass to freshman Alex Perkowski (Hinsdale, Ill.) at the 14:48 mark of the fourth quarter. It was Perkowski's first career TD. With Butler's PAT, USD took a 51-3 lead. The Coyote defense had another solid day, allowing MSUM just six first downs and 108 yards in total offense on 50 plays. The Dragons had 62 yards rushing on 37 attempts and just 46 yards passing. The Coyotes had five more quarterback sacks to give them 13 on the season. Tim Schellhammer (Chatfield, Minn.) had two sacks and four tackles, including two tackles for loss. Sophomore linebacker Ryan Hedden (Fairmont, Neb.) led USD with five tackles. Sophomore Chris Reid (Hills, Minn.) had two interceptions. MSUM was led offensively by Dere Blackburn who had three receptions for 31 yards. Quarterback Sean Belmont completed 5-of-11 passes for 46 yards with two interceptions. Tim Zupke led the rushing attack with 26 yards on seven carries. Matt Asuma led the Dragons' defense with 11 tackles, while Matt Wandersee had eight tackles.

Butler Named NCC Special Teams POW; Honorable Mention D2football.com POW Cody Butler, a senior place kicker at South Dakota, scored 15 points to lead South Dakota (3-0) to a 51-3 win over Minnesota State Moorhead was rewarded with the North Central Conference Special Teams Player of the Week honors, according to an announcement by the league office on Sept. 13. He was also named an honorable mention selection for the D2football.com Special Teams Player of the Week. Butler made six PATs and three field goals to total 15 points in the win over MSUM. He now has 30 points on the season. Butler has made every kick he has tried this season, converting 21-of-21 PATs and 3-of-3 on field goals. He made 23-yard, 37-yard and 48-yard field goals vs. Moorhead, which were his first tries of the season. After three weeks of play, Butler leads the NCC in scoring (10.0) per game; PATs (21-of-21) and field goal percentage (3-of-3). He is second in field goals with three. Butler, a second team All-NCC choice a year ago, now has 137 points in his career and has made 26-of-36 field goals, including 9-of-10 from beyond 40 yards. His career best is 49 yards. During his stellar career, the All-American candidate has made 59-61 PATs.

Beschorner Named NCC Offensive POW South Dakota junior quarterback Wesley Beschorner of Lohrville, Iowa, accounted for a career-best four TDs and was named the North Central Conference Offensive Player of the Week on August 31, according to an announcement by the league office. Beschorner had three TD passes and a four-yard scoring run to help lead South Dakota (1-0) to a 49-22 win over Truman State (0-1) at Kirksville, Mo., on Saturday. His performance enabled the Coyotes to successfully open the 2004 season in the debut for head coach Ed Meierkort and his coaching staff. Against Truman State, Beschorner completed 11 of 17 passes for 198 yards and had one interception. He also rushed for 18 yards. He completed scoring passes to Derek Gearman (88, 40 yards) and Paul Tschetter (7 yards). He also scored on a four-yard run in the second quarter. His 88-yard scoring pass play to Gearman set a USD game school record for longest pass play. The combined four TDs against Truman State by Beschorner was a career-best performance. He tied his career-best with four TDs (three passing and one running vs. Peru State).

Nonconference Notes Since 1974, USD has a 42-24 record (325 games) vs. nonconference opponents, including a 30-16 record at home and 11-8 mark on the road. USD is 32-19 in nonconference match-ups since 1979.

About Wisconsin-LaCrosse Head Coach Larry Terry In his fifth season at Wisconsin-LaCrosse, Larry Terry has compiled a 54-44-1 (.551) career record in 10 years of collegiate coaching. He was 25-29-1 at Ripon College before taking over the LaCrosse program. A year ago, Terry led UWL to its 32nd Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference championship in school history. The Eagles won its second straight title, finishing 10-2 overall and 6-1 in the league a year ago. They made their ninth appearance in the NCAA Division III playoffs in 2003. The Eagles defeated Concordia (Wis.), 52-13, before falling to Mt. Union, 39-14, in the second round. Terry was named the 2003 WIAC Coach of the Year. In his first year of UWL, Terry's team was 7-3 and second in the WIAC with a 6-1 record. In 2001, the Eagles were 4-6 and 3-4 in the WIAC and 7-4 and 6-1 in the league in 2002. A former ballboy for the Eagles when his dad Bill served as assistant coach.

About Wisconsin-LaCrosse Wisconsin-LaCrosse (1-0), which is ranked second in the most recent NCAA Division II poll, seeks its second straight win over an NCC opponent, after a 34-13 season-opening win over Minnesota-Duluth at Duluth, Minn. The UWL Eagles finished 10-2 overall and 6-1 in the WIAC a year ago. In 2002, the Eagles were 7-4, 6-1 in the WIAC. UWL was 4-6, 3-4 in the WIAC in 2001; 7-3, 6-1 in the WIAC in 2000 and 7-4, 6-1 in the WIAC in 1999. In its history the Eagles have a 526-225-46 overall record (.689). That mark ranks as the second best Division III program all-time in winning percentage. The Eagles were picked to finish first in the 2004 WIAC Preseason Poll as selected by the Sports Information Directors.

USD vs. UWL in 2003 In its first-ever meeting, South Dakota dropped a 28-24 decision to Wisconsin LaCrosse at LaCrosse, Wisc. USD took a quick 7-0 lead on Wes Beschorner's two-yard TD run, which was set up by a 63-yard jaunt earlier in the drive by Beschorner. The Eagles tied the game when quarterback Steve Tennies connected with wideout Scott Burnoski on a 52-yard TD pass. USD's Cody Butler provided the Coyotes with a 10-7 lead on a 24-yard field goal and then Tennies had his second TD pass of the game, this time to Jason Kettenhofen from four yards as UWL took a 14-10 halftime lead. All-NCC running back Stefan Logan had a 46-yard TD run to give USD a 17-14 lead with 12:36 left in the third quarter. UWL's Andrew Mocadlo score on a five-yard run for a 21-17 lead. Then, USD's Jordan Davis returned a pass for a 29-yard interception return for a TD that provided USD with a 24-21 lead. Then Mocadlo scored early in the fourth quarter to give UWL the 28-24 margin. Tennis was 20-of-37 for 288 yards, two TDs and two interceptions as UWL had 449 yards in total offense. Burnoski had nine receptions for 178 yards. USD was led by Beschorner, who had 103 yards rushing, and Logan, who had 102 yards rushing. Beschorner also hit 10-of-20 passes for 88 yards and two interceptions. USD had 370 yards in total offense, including 282 yards rushing.

The Wisconsin-LaCrosse Eagles opened the season with a 34-13 win over Minnesota-Duluth on Sept. 11 in Duluth, Minn. The win by the Eagles snapped UMD's 18-game home winning streak. UWL jumped to a 20-0 lead as junior quarterback Steve Tennis tossed a pair of TD passes and defensive back Ken Halvorson had a 43-yard fumble recovery for a TD. After UMD scored to close within 20-6, Tennies tossed his third TD pass of the game, a 55-yard strike to Eric Kettenhofen with 6:41 to play in the half and give UWL a 27-6 lead. UMD added a TD early in the fourth quarter but UWL put the game away on John Schuman's 11-yard run with 6:42 to play. UWL was led on the ground by Matt Pagel, who had 21 carries for 73 yards and Tennies had four carries for 31 yards. Tennies was 10-of-18 for 191 yards and two interceptions. The Eagles receiving corps was led by Jeremy Korth, who had four catches for 72 yards. UWL had 396 yards in total offense on 64 plays, including 180 yards rushing on 45 attempts and 216 yards passing. Minnesota-Duluth had 382 yards in total offense on 78 plays, including 255 yards rushing and 127 yards passing.

About South Dakota Mikkelsen Closing in on All-time Reception Leaders Senior Chris Mikkelsen, named to the all-league squad as a special teams performer in 2003, has had a quick start. He has 11 receptions for 130 yards, which ranks him third in the NCC in receptions per game. As a result, Mikkelsen, a native of Gregory, S.D., has moved into second-place on USD's career receiving chart with 115 catches for 1,777 yards and 10 TDs in his career. Mikkelsen recently passed Phillip Meehan, who had 108 catches for 1,153 yards and nine TDs from 1995-98. The all-time leader is 2004 Coyote Sports Hall of Fame inductee Rod Tweet, who pulled in 140 catches for 2,557 yards and 16 TDs from 1982-85. In addition, Mikkelsen is second in the NCC with seven punt returns for 140 yards or 20.0 yards per return. He has punt returns of 68 and 39 yards this season. He is also 10th in the NCC with three kickoff returns for 51 yards or 17.0 per return.

Pass Records Fall The 88-yard pass play from quarterback Wes Beschorner (Lohrville, Iowa) to Derek Gearman (Lennox, S.D.) in the third quarter vs. Truman State set a USD game record for longest pass and longest reception, previously held on an 84-yard pass play from Tom Engelman to Joe Trudeau against Idaho State in 1971. Coyotes Unleash Big Play, Quick Strike Offense A breakdown of plays for South Dakota shows the offense displaying big play capability. In its first three games, the Coyotes have had 60 plays of 10 yards or more. Against Truman State USD had 16 plays of over 10 yards. Among those plays was 11 runs of 10 yards and six rushes for better than 20 yards. USD had three pass plays over 30 yards. In game one, sophomore running back Travis Mlady (Bloomfield, Neb.) had runs of 38, 39, 20, 15, 13 and 11 yards. Sophomore Stefan Logan (Miami, Fla.), who had a streak of 100 yard rushing games snapped at six, had 79 yards rushing in the first half before leaving with a sprained ankle. While he was in the game, Logan had five runs or receptions of more than 11 yards, including a 21-yard run. Against Peru State, USD had 25 plays or 10 yards or longer as well as four plays over 20 yards and two plays over 40 yards. Mlady had seven plays of 10 yards or longer (11, 46, 11, 12, 15, 18, 13). Stefan Logan had four plays over 10 yards (11, 14, 14, 10). Tight end Paul Tschetter had two plays over 10 yards (11 yard reception. Quarterback Wesley Beschorner, a junior from Lohrville, Iowa, had seven pass plays of over 10 yards. In the Minnesota State Moorhead game, USD had 19 plays of 10 yards or longer. Wesley Beschorner had four runs of better than 10 yards, including a 16-yard rush. Against MSUM, Mlady had four runs of better than 10 yards, including a 35-yard run. This season he has totaled 17 runs over 10 yards and has four runs of 35 yards or longer. Mlady also has 11 runs of 15 yards or longer. Also against MSUM, Tyler Evans had two runs (15, 14) and a pass reception (15 yards) over 10 yards. Derek Gearman had a 13-yard TD run and a 15-yard and 13-yard reception. Backup quarterback Sean McLaughlin, who has 42 yards rushing this season, had runs of 14 and 13 yards and he also had a 10-yard TD pass to Alex Perkowski and a 13-yard pass to Gearman.

Coyotes By the Numbers South Dakota has unleashed an explosive and quick strike offense this season. After three games, the Coyotes have 1,545 yards in total offense on just 188 plays or an average of 8.2 yards per play. USD has 983 yards rushing and 562 passing yards. The Coyotes average 515 yards in total offense per game. On the defensive side of the ball, USD has been stingy. The Coyote defense has limited opponents to 143 yards on 98 carries and has recorded -105 yards in loss. That translates to just 1.5 yards per rush and 47.7 rushing yards per game. The opponents have passes for 444 yards and have just 587 yards in total offense on 179 plays or 3.3 yards per play. USD has three pass interceptions, including a pair by Chris Reid (Hills, Minn.), and have recovered two fumbles.

Mlady Ranks Eighth in Division II in Rushing Travis Mlady, a sophomore from Bloomfield, Neb., recorded his third straight 100-yard rushing game with his 128 yards on 14 carries and two TDs against MSU Moorhead on Sept. 11. Mlady, who had just 42 career yards rushing entering the 2004 season, ranks second in the NCC and 10th in the nation with his 438 yards rushing on 41 carries this season. He is averaging a league-best 10.7 yards per carry and has five TDs. This season he has totaled 17 runs over 10 yards and has four runs of 35 yards or longer. Mlady also has 11 runs of 15 yards or longer. Mlady rushed for 158 yards in the win over Truman State and 152 yards in the Peru State victory. South Dakota Produces 100-yard Rushers In its last nine games, dating back to the 2003 season, USD has produced a 100-yard rusher. This season, Travis Mlady has three-straight 100-yard rushing games. That goes with the six straight games to end the season that Stefan Logan rushed over 100-yards.

South Dakota Unveils Strong Rushing Attack One of the key reasons behind the Coyotes' 3-0 start is its rushing attack. The Coyotes are averaging 327.7 yards per game, including 12 TDs on the ground. USD has 983 yards on 128 carries, or 7.7 yards per carry. Aside from Mlady's tem-high 438 yards, several other running backs are performing at a high level. Despite playing just half of each of the first two games, All-NCC running back Stefan Logan (Miami, Fla.) has accumulated 132 yards on just 14 carries, or 9.4 per tote. He did not see action against MSU Moorhead. Sophomore running back Tyler Evans (Stewart, Minn.) has 147 yards rushing on 20 carries or 7.3 per carry. Evans has two rushing TDs. Quarterback Wes Beschorner has 25 carries for 124 yards and three rushing TDs. Also Darnell Pitts (Sioux City, Iowa) has 65 yards on 12 carries, or 5.4 yards per carry.

Beschorner Off to Quick Start Junior quarterback Wes Beschorner (Lohrville, Iowa) has had a quick start to the 2004 season and has been a prime reason for the Coyotes opening with three straight wins. Beschorner has completed 28-of-46 passes for 444 yards with seven TDs and three interceptions. He has a 179.12 efficiency ranking and has completed 60.9 percent of his passes. Beschorner's pass efficiency ranking places third in the NCC. He is averaging 148.0 passing yards per game. In addition, as noted, he has 25 rushes for 124 yards and three rushing TDs. Beschorner leads USD with 568 yards in total offense on 71 plays. In NCC stats, Beschorner is fourth in the league in total offense, averaging 189.3 yards per game.

USD Utilizing Several Receivers Senior Chris Mikkelsen (Gregory, S.D.) leads USD with 11 catches for 130 yards. His catch total places him third in the NCC in receptions. But he is just one of several players making a mark early in the 2004 season. Sophomore Derek Gearman (Lennox, S.D.) has caught six passes for a team-high 207 yards and three touchdowns. Gearman caught a school-record 88-yard TD pass from Beschorner and is averaging 34.5 yards per reception, which ranks first in the NCC. His 69.5 yards receiving per game also ranks first in the NCC. Senior tight end Paul Tschetter (Sioux Falls, S.D.) has five catches for 50yards or 10.0 yards per catch. Tschetter has two TD receptions. Seven other players have at least one reception as USD has rolled up 562 yards passing. USD is averaging 14.8 yards on 41 receptions as a team.

Luke Mikkelsen Leads NCC in Punting In his first season as the USD punter, sophomore Luke Mikkelsen (Gregory, S.D.) has continued the Coyotes' success booting the ball. Mikkelsen is averaging 44.7 yards per kick with 313 yards on seven punts, including a long of 54 yards. He has placed three punts inside the 20-yard line. Mikkelsen is leading the NCC in punt average.

Hedden Leads Defense Sophomore Ryan Hedden (Fairmont, Neb.) is leading the Coyotes on defense, totaling 18 tackles, including two tackles for loss, a quarterback sack and a pass breakup. Junior linebacker Alex York (Guthrie Center, Iowa) is tied with senior linebacker Mike Meekins (Superior, Neb.) for second on the team with 14 tackles. Meekins also has two pass breakups. Senior defensive end Tim Schellhammer (Chatfield, Minn.) has 13 tackles, including 5.5 tackles for loss and three quarterback sacks. Schellhammer ranks fifth in the league in tackles for loss with 1.75 per game.

Scoring by Quarter South Dakota has shown balanced scoring this season. USD has outscored opponents, 94 to 17 in the first half and 62-8 in the second half. In the quarter by quarter breakdown, USD owns a 49-10 advantage in the first quarter, 45-7 in the second quarter, 27-0 in the third quarter and 35-8 in the fourth quarter.

South Dakota Faring Well in D-II Statistics The Coyotes are ranked high in several statistical categories, according to statistics released this week by the NCAA. In team categories, USD ranks third in scoring (52.0 points per game), fifth in scoring defense (8.3 points per game); fifth in rushing offense (327.7 yards per game); six in rushing defense (47.7 yards per game); seven in total offense (515 yards per game) and seven in total defense (195.7 yards per game). Individually, Chris Mikkelsen ranks fourth nationally in punt returns (20.0 per game). Wes Beschorner is fifth in passing efficiency (179.1) while Travis Mlady is eighth in rushing (146.0 per game) and third in all-purpose yards with 147.3 per game. Mlady and Butler are tied for the league lead in scoring (10.0 per game). Cody Butler leads in scoring (kick) with 30 points and also leads in field goal percentage (3-3) and PAT kicking (21-21). Tim Schellhammer is second in QB sacks (3, 1.0 per game); and fourth in TFLs (5.5, 1.83 per game).

USD Leads NCC in 16 Team Categories After three games, USD leads the conference in 16 team categories, including scoring offense (52.0 yards per game); scoring defense (8.3 yards per game); punting (36.3 net average); rushing offense (327.7 yards per game); total offense (515.0 yards per game); first downs (73); opponents first downs (35); rushing defense (47.7 yards per game); total offense (529.0 yards per game); total defense (195.7 yards per game); pass defense (148.0 yards per game); pass efficiency (176.0); sacks (13 for -72 yards); PAT kicking (21-21, 1.000 pct.); penalties (46.7 per game, 18-140); third down conversions (48.1 percent, 13 of 27); and field goals (3-3). Individually, Derek Gearman leads in receiving yards per game (69.0) and average per catch (34.5). Wes Beschorner is third in the league in pass efficiency (179.1) while kicker Cody Butler is first in PAT conversions (21-21, 1.000 percent) and Luke Mikkelsen leads in punting (44.7 per punt). Travis Mlady is second in rushing yards per game (146.0) while Beschorner is fourth in total offense at 189.3 per game. Chris Mikkelsen is second in punt return average (20.0 per game).

NCAA Division II Playoffs Expanded During July, the NCAA Division II Management Council gave formal approval to expand national championship fields in seven sports, five this season. The football playoff field expands from 16 to 24 teams. The national playoff field of teams will be split into four regions. Six teams from those regions will earn berths, while the top two teams in each region will receive first-round byes. The NCC schools are grouped in a region with the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference, the Great Lakes Conference and several independent schools from the west.