Gameday Central | Game Notes
The Coyote football team (2-1, 0-0 MVFC) hosts 10th-ranked Youngstown State (2-1, 0-0 MVFC) at 2 p.m. today in the 99th annual Dakota Days game. It's the Missouri Valley Football Conference opener for both teams.
Both teams lost to FBS foes on opening weekend, South Dakota to Kansas State and Youngstown State at Pittsburgh. Both won their next two games against FCS foes and are coming off a bye last week.
Youngstown State has won all three games of the series by a total of 18 points. The last two matchups have required fourth-quarter comebacks including two years ago in the DakotaDome when YSU back Martin Ruiz scored with 14 seconds left to lift the Penguins to a 38-34 win.
"Youngstown State has a really good football team," said USD Head Football Coach Joe Glenn. "They should have been a playoff team last year with seven wins. They return almost all of their key offensive players including both their running backs, who combined to run for over 300 yards against us last year."
Ruiz and teammate Jody Webb combined for 313 yards in a 28-17 win against South Dakota in Youngstown, Ohio, last November. The Coyotes built a 17-7 lead entering the fourth quarter, only to see the Penguins rattle off three long touchdown drives. USD forced three turnovers, ran for 133 yards and passed for 151.
"They've beaten us three years in a row by a grand total of 18 points," Glenn said. "We can play with this team, but we have to rise to another level in order to get the victory."
The key for the Coyotes in their two wins this season has been field position and winning the turnover battle. Against UC Davis in game two, the Coyotes forced four turnovers and against Drake last time out they forced three and also blocked a field goal. USD has an 8-4 edge in turnovers this season.
"Field position has been a huge factor for us in our two wins so far this year," Glenn said. "Miles Bergner is really kicking and punting the ball well. If we're able to win the field position battle as well as the turnover battle, we'll have a great shot to beat Youngstown State."
As for the Coyote players, they are only worried about executing the game plan.
"Team morale is extremely high right now," junior running back Trevor Bouma said. "We're pleased with our two wins and how we've been playing, but we're still motivated. We're humble, but we want to work and make each other better each and every day."
Bouma is the nation's 13th-leading rusher through three games thanks to back-to-back 100-yard efforts. He had a career-best 186 yards and two scores against UC Davis and added 117 yards rushing and three touchdowns in the 52-0 win against Drake.
South Dakota's defense has allowed the fewest points of the 10 Valley teams through three games at 51. Youngstown State is allowing the fewest yards per game in the nation at 237 on average. The Penguins allowed three pass completions for 26 yards combined in their two wins.
Youngstown State is South Dakota's 12th different Dakota Days opponent in the last 12 years. The Coyotes are 61-32-5 (.648) all-time in their annual homecoming game and have won 11 of their last 14 Dakota Days tilts. A sold out crowd is expected.
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