This Week's Matchup After wrapping up fall camp last week, the University of South Dakota football team will begin its challenging 2010 schedule at Central Florida on Saturday. Kickoff is set for 5 p.m. CT at Brighthouse Networks Stadium in Orlando, Fla. In 2009, the Coyotes finished 5-5 overall and 2-2 in the Great West Conference, while the Knights were 8-5 and 6-2 in Conference USA.

The game is part of a tough start to USD's season. The Coyotes open with two road games against FBS schools that qualified for bowls last season in Central Florida and Minnesota. The Knights ended 2009 at the St. Petersburg Bowl, while the Golden Gophers played in the Insight Bowl. USD opens the home portion of its 2010 schedule by hosting Northwestern Oklahoma State for the Hall of Fame game on Sept. 18.

Links for live stats, live audio and subscription video are available on the 2010 Football Gameday page by clicking on the link above. The game will not be televised.

Scouting the Knights An emerging contender in Conference USA, Central Florida started its football program in 1979 and has an 80-85 record since joining the FBS level in 1996. Head coach George O'Leary is 34-41 in his six seasons and has been named C-USA Coach of the Year three times, including after 2007 when he led UCF to a 10-win season. He guided the Knights on an impressive run to end 2009 and earn a bid to the St. Petersburg Bowl. UCF went 5-1 down the stretch and won six-straight C-USA contests to close out the regular season. That included UCF's first win in school history over a nationally-ranked FBS program when it upset No. 12 Houston, 37-32, on Nov. 14. UCF is receiving votes in the AP poll.

Offensively, Central Florida returns eight starters and 21 letterwinners after averaging 130.5 rushing and 210.3 passing yards per game to average 26.2 points. The Knights will look to replace quarterback Brett Hodges, but have a solid group of returning skill positions. Junior Rob Calabrese enters the fall first on the depth chart after appearing in seven games last fall. He completed 25-of-46 passes with three touchdowns. Running back Brynn Harvey returns for his junior campaign after leading the team with 1,109 yards and 14 touchdowns to average 92.4 yards per game. Backup Jonathan Davis also returns after notching four touchdowns last season. The wide receiver core will be paced by senior Kamar Aiken and junior A.J. Guyton. Aiken caught a team-high 610 and nine touchdowns last season, while Guyton posted 572 yards and one touchdown after playing in all 13 games.

UCF welcomes back seven starters and 20 letterwinners on the defensive side of the ball, including six of the top seven tacklers from a year ago. The squad is led by senior defensive end Bruce Miller who as a preseason All-American has been named to the watch lists for the Lombardi and Nagurski Awards and is the Preseason C-USA Defensive Player of the Year. He finished with 13 sacks and 18 tackles for loss last season. Senior linebacker Derrick Hallman was second on the squad with 85 total tackles and 40 solo stops in 2009. He also had three fumble recoveries and two forced fumbles. Sophomore defensive back Josh Robinson hauled in a team-high six interceptions and eight pass breakups to go along with 69 tackles last season.

Junior kicker Nick Cattoi and senior punter Blake Clingan also return. Cattoi hit 14-of-20 field goals last fall, including a season-long 50-yard make, while Clingan put 24 punts inside the opponent's 20-yard line.

Coyote History Versus the Knights This is the first meeting between South Dakota and Central Florida.

Last Time Out: USD Tops Cal Poly in 50-48 Shootout The South Dakota football team posted one of its top offensive performances of the 2009 season to propel the Coyotes to a thrilling 50-48 victory over Cal Poly in front of more than 7,900 fans in San Luis Obispo, Calif. The win handed the Mustangs their first home loss of the season and sealed a 5-5 season for USD, while also giving the Coyotes second place in the Great West Conference at 2-2.

Senior quarterback Noah Shepard continued his assault on the USD record book with another career day, as he tied USD's single-game completion record. A record he already set in 2007, Shepard connected on 26 of his 37 attempts for 413 yards against the Mustangs. He also became the record holder for career 400-yard passing game with two, while his five touchdown passes versus Cal Poly were just one short of the single-game record. He also rushed for two touchdowns on the day.

Shepard's work was almost undone, though, as Cal Poly mounted a late comeback to nearly claim the victory. USD led by 22 points or more on three occasions in the second half, but the Mustangs scored the final three touchdowns of the game, including one with 20 seconds left, to climb to within two. Junior linebacker Corey Kuehl preserved the win when he batted down the pass attempt on the two-point conversion. The Mustangs were able to recover the onside kick, but the Coyote defense forced four straight incompletions to end the game.

Leading an offense that racked up 553 yards of total offense, Shepard connected with five different Coyote wide receivers for his touchdowns. He completed scoring passes to junior tight end London Landry (six yards), sophomore running back Chris Ganious (44 yards), senior Dan Skelly (35 yards), freshman wide receiver Will Powell (43 yards) and freshman wide receiver Tom Flanagan (nine yards). Skelly's touchdown grab broke USD's career record and gave him 19 in his four years at USD, as he finished the day with 123 yards on five catches. He ends his Coyote career with exactly 2,000 receiving yards, becoming the fourth USD player to accomplish the feat. Flanagan hauled in six catches for 70 yards to build on a freshman record for catches that he broke last week, while Powell set a career high with 92 yards.

Cal Poly scored first to take an early 7-0 advantage at the 11:05 mark in the first quarter, but it would prove to be their only lead of the contest. The Coyotes would score on their next eight possessions, starting with a 10-play, 67-yard drive that was capped with Shepard's six-yard toss to Landry. After a Cal Poly punt, USD stormed down the field again with a seven-play, 80-yard drive to end the first quarter with a 12-7 advantage after a one-yard touchdown run by Shepard.

The second quarter was more of the same for the Coyotes, as South Dakota posted 17 points in the frame. Ganious scampered for a 44-yard touchdown after catching a screen pass from Shepard at the 14:00 mark, but Cal Poly cut the deficit to 19-14 midway through the quarter with a six-yard touchdown run of the its own. USD responded with a 10-point run behind a 23-yard field goal from sophomore Dustin Nowotny with 2:49 left and an eight-yard touchdown run from Shepard with eight seconds in the period to take a 36-14 advantage into halftime.

A scoring frenzy broke out in the third quarter with both squads scoring three touchdowns. Skelly caught a 35-yard strike from Shepard at the 14:18 mark, but Cal Poly responded with a 42-yard touchdown pass of its own. Not to be outdone, Shepard found Powell for a 43-yard scoring connection at the 9:09 mark, before the Mustangs responded with a 59-yard touchdown pass. The Coyotes settled things down with a nine-play, 68-yard drive that ended with a nine-yard scoring completion to Flanagan, but once again Cal Poly had an answer. This time finding Dmnque Johnson for one of his five touchdown catches with 2:08 left in the quarter.

The Coyotes crafted several drives in the fourth quarter, including a 44-yard effort in 5:16, but were unable to post any more points, which allowed the Mustangs to close the gap, but USD held in the final minutes.

Sophomore linebacker Adam Broders led the South Dakota defense with 13 tackles, including eight solo stops and a sack. Senior defensive lineman Wayne Curry posted seven tackles and a sack to finish his career with 17 sacks, good enough for fifth all-time at USD.

2010 USD Football Media Guide Season Outlook After posting a 5-5 overall record and a 2-2 mark in the Great West Conference last season, the University of South Dakota football team enters the 2010 campaign with several question marks. The Coyotes lose 11 starters, including several who held their positions for multiple years, but a closer look reveals a balanced USD squad that will be deep at several positions this fall. Head coach Ed Meierkort and the Coyotes return 43 letterwinners from last season's squad and the addition of defensive coordinator Chuck Morrell and wide receiver coach Tim Triplett should have USD in the hunt for a GWC title in 2010. A position-by-position breakdown of South Dakota is below.

USD Offense Lettermen Returning/Lost: 20/10 Starters Returning/Lost: 7/4 The offensive line, always a strength of the Coyotes, loses starters in left tackle Jake Arthur, left guard Luke Nordquist and center Ben Wampler, but returns right guard Brent Johnson and right tackle Tom Compton and several experienced backups. Compton will likely slide to left tackle, while junior R.J. Polley, who appeared in eight games last season, will start at right tackle. Sophomore Tim Ross steps in at center after earning one start in 2009 and experienced senior Scott Slotten starts at left guard after an impressive fall camp. Junior Rob Cunningham, junior transfer Broc Gullett and redshirt freshmen Steve Nelson and Marc Murtha could see time as reserves.

Two-year starter London Landry caps his USD career with his senior season at tight end this fall. Senior Mitch Mohr earned four starts last year as well, while sophomore Joel DeJongh and junior transfer Michael Neilson could see time as reserves.

The quarterback position will be wide open with the loss of NFL-prospect Noah Shepard. Junior Dante Warren starts the season at the No. 1 sport, while redshirt freshmen Tyler Wilhelm and Kyle Cichos will battle for the No. 2 spot.

Junior Erik Helland likely starts at fullback for the third consecutive season and will be supported by sophomore Quintin McMartin. Both will block for junior starter Chris Ganious at running back. The Coyotes lose reserve Isaac Newton at the position, but a bevy of talented young players in sophomore Marcus Sims and redshirt freshmen Donovan Bowens, Earv Archambeau and Michael Burrus could see time.

Injuries gave plenty of USD wide receivers experience last season and the position will be young this fall. Sophomore reserve Will Powell and starter Tom Flanagan return with serious playing time under their belts after injuries plagued reserve Ben Oberle and starter Dan Skelly, both of whom have graduated. Experienced reserve Dustin Nowotny Blount returns for his junior season, as does Jeremy Blount. Redshirt freshmen Khiry McDonald and Matt Kerswill will push them.

USD Defense Lettermen Returning/Lost: 22/9 Starters Returning/Lost: 5/6 The defensive line will be wide-open this fall with the loss of starters Ko Quaye, Abe Booker, Wayne Curry and reserve Joe White. Several key reserves who saw playing time last fall will battle with some young talent for the starting spots. Juniors Jesse Weisbrod and Sidney Bazemore appeared in eight and seven games, respectively, as both were No. 2 on the depth chart last fall. Junior Evan Capper played in four contests, while sophomores David Giese saw action in nine and Jordan Eaton in three. Tyler Starr moves to the position after spending last season at linebacker and joins fellow redshirt freshman Taylor Moore in the mix.

USD's linebacking core could be the Coyotes' deepest position. Inside linebacker will be locked down by returning junior starters Shea Williams and Adam Broders, while the loss of Dache Fance and Ryan Routh frees up the outside linebacker spot. Junior Andrew Meier is a candidate for one of the spots after playing in nine games last season, while sophomore Elliot Harper and senior Corey Kuehl also saw extended time last fall and could fill the other side. Senior Eric Leon, sophomore Tim Marlette, and juniors Kyle Wheeler and Darius Hogans will be valuable reserves. Redshirt freshman Kelan Richardson also joins the fray.

Defensive back could be a new strength for USD under the tutelage of Morrell. The Coyotes lose cornerback Mychal Bogan, but return a contingent of experienced players. Sophomore Alphonso Valdez and redshirt freshman Dametrius Turner will battle for the left corner, while newcomers in junior transfer Marquis Butler and redshirt freshman Chris Frierson could start on the right side. Returning starters Jim Thompson and Shane Potter enter their junior season at free safety and strong safety, respectively, and will be supplemented by redshirt freshman Aramis Calloway and freshman Aaron Swift.

USD Special Teams Starters Returning/Lost: 2/1 The Coyotes welcome back the core nucleus of their special teams from last fall. Sophomore Cole Zwiefelhofer returns for his second season as the starting punter after an impressive freshman campaign. At kicker junior Dustin Nowotny returns after sharing starting duties last fall, and connecting on 7-of-8 field goal attempts. USD also adds in freshman Kevin Robb to the kicking lineup. Sophomore Walter Reed will start his second year at long snapper and Zwiefelhofer will hold. Kick returner Marcus Sims returns, as does punt returner Jeremy Blount.

2010 Looking Tough The 2010 football season is shaping up to be a good test for the Coyotes. Starting the season at Central Florida and Minnesota, two FBS schools that qualified for bowls last season, will pit USD against several tall tasks. The Coyotes face Northwestern Oklahoma State in the home opener for the Hall of Fame Game, but travel to Missouri Valley Conference-foe North Dakota State the following weekend.

Dakota Days sees North Dakota visit the Dome in what should be a very close contest. The Fighting Sioux have historically played USD tough, as it is one of two teams to beat USD in the Dome over the last six seasons. A road trip to UC Davis is a chance for revenge for the Coyotes, as the Aggies beat USD in overtime in 2009. Northern Iowa, a playoff team last fall, visits Vermillion the following weekend, before the Coyotes hit the road again to square off with Southern Utah. Contests with Northern Colorado and Cal Poly, both games that came down to the last minutes in 2009, wrap up the home season for the Coyotes. USD ends its season against a renewed Lamar program in Texas. USD has never had a losing season in six years under Meierkort.

Flanagan and Powell Back Again With injuries to several upperclassmen wide receivers last season, Tom Flanagan and Will Powell stepped up their game as true freshmen. Now the duo finds themselves first on the depth chart headed in to the fall of their sophomore season. Flanagan, a native of Lakewood, Colo., led USD with 45 catches last fall after hauling in a career-high seven catches for 120 yards against Montana State. Versus Northern Colorado, Flanagan caught his third touchdown reception of the season to set USD's single-season freshman touchdown receptions record. Powell was just as impressive, as he played on both sides of the ball. The Sioux Falls, S.D., native had 14 catches for 200 yards and four touchdowns, while making 15 tackles defensively.

Building on Broders Junior Adam Broders will be a leader on the defensive side of the ball this fall after establishing himself as a top-notch linebacker last season. The native of Bloomfield, Neb., led the Coyotes in tackles in 2009 with 78 stops despite missing one start and playing several games with a cast after breaking his thumb. He worked his way back to lead the Great West Conference with 8.7 tackles per game. He also notched 5.5 tackles for loss and earned 1.5 sacks. Named USD's Defensive Player of the Week once during the season, he helped the Coyotes finish first in the conference in scoring defense (27.2 ppg) and rushing defense (108.1 ypg).

Watching the Rankings Several teams on South Dakota's 2010 schedule are ranked in the preseason polls. Northern Iowa (Oct. 16) is the Coyotes' highest ranked foe, currently ranked No. 13 in the coaches poll, while Cal Poly (Nov. 6) is No. 25. Both are ranked 12th and 23rd, respectively, in the Any Given Saturday poll, while UNI is No. 14 and Cal Poly is receiving votes in The Sports Network/Fathead.com poll.

Catching Coyote Football in 2010 Fans unable to visit the DakotaDome this fall can still catch USD football action several ways. South Dakota is teaming with Midcontinent Communications to air four home games, while the Coyotes have also expanded their radio coverage by adding another affiliate.

The newly-created Midco Sports Network, which serves over 200,000 customers in the region, will broadcast USD home games against North Dakota (Oct. 2), Northern Iowa (Oct. 16), Northern Colorado (Oct. 30) and Cal Poly (Nov. 6) live on cable channel 26.

The Coyotes will also be available through the radio on flagship radio station B102.7 FM. Warren Swain returns for his third season as the "Voice of the Coyotes", as fans can catch all of USD's 2009 football games on B102.7 FM (Sioux Falls), KYNT 1450 AM (Yankton), KORN 1490 AM (Mitchell), KCCR 1240 AM (Pierre), KTOQ 1340 AM (Rapid City) or KAOR 91.1 FM (Vermillion). R.J. Pattison will serve as the color man.

Live stats, audio and subscription video will also be available for all USD home games through USDCoyotes.com.

Coyote Coaches Corner The University of South Dakota's Coyote Coaches Corner will start the 2010 season on Aug. 30 at Callaway's Event Center in Sioux Falls. Held every Monday at 7 p.m., the event allows fans and media an inside look at Coyote football.

Head coach Ed Meierkort and his staff will be on hand to break down the previous week's game film and also preview USD's upcoming opponent, while attendees enjoy free hors d'oeuvres and beverages. Select football players will also be in attendance throughout the year and are available to members of the media by request. Media is encouraged to arrive early to conduct interviews, so the event can start at 7 p.m. sharp.

2010 Coyote Coaches Corner Schedule - Callaway's - Sioux Falls August 30, September 6, September 13, September 20, September 27, October 4, October 11, October 18, October 25, November 8

Quick Facts on The U The South Dakota football program, which was established in 1889, has an all-time record of 504-469-36. USD has made four playoffs appearances in NCAA Division II (1973, 1985, 1986, 2006). In total, The U won 10 North Central Conference crowns and had 48 student-athletes earn All-American honors. A total of 233 players have received first-team all-conference honors and 126 have earned academic all-conference accolades.

Domination on Dakota Days South Dakota has been very successful when playing on homecoming. Since 1914, the Coyotes have compiled a 58-30-5 record on Dakota Days. Prior to falling in overtime to UC Davis last season, USD had won eight-straight homecoming days. During the winning streak, USD had outscored its opponents 203-63.

The most points the Coyotes have scored in a homecoming game is 60, when they defeated Morningside, 60-7, in 1973. The highest scoring Dakota Day game was in 1968 when USD and South Dakota State combined for 87 points. The Coyotes won, 55-32.

Dome Field Advantage Since the Coyotes began playing their home games in the DakotaDome in 1979, they have compiled a 121-56 (.683) record at home. Meierkort currently owns a 31-3 record at home. The Coyotes produced a 23-game home winning streak that spanned nearly four full seasons from 2003-06. During the 23-game home winning streak, the Coyotes outscored their opponents 1,017-335 and averaged 44.2 points per game while allowing just 14.6 points per game.

2009 Coyote Team Captains Below is a look at each week's captains: Central Florida: Jesse Weisbrod, London Landry and Mitch Mohr

For the complete notes, click on the link above.