VERMILLION, S.D.—South Dakota's defense picked off four passes, forced three three-and-outs and added a goal-line stand from the 4-yard line during the Coyotes' annual Spring Game Saturday inside the DakotaDome. The game served as the final practice for the team this spring.
Senior defensive back Adam Juhl made two interceptions including a pick-6 on the final play from scrimmage. Jet Moreland, who moved from linebacker to safety this spring, picked off a pass in the end zone on the first play of the fourth offensive series. Andrew Van Ginkel batted a pass at the line of scrimmage and pulled down the interception to end the second series.
South Dakota's offense ran 39 plays over the course of 10 series. The unit ran 15 times for 46 yards and completed 11 of 24 passes for 110 yards. Cole Lindhout rushed three times for a team-high 19 yards on the final series of the game. Quarterback Ryan Saeger was 9-for-17 for 89 yards. Ben Kramer caught four passes for 42 yards.
Saeger and the offense marched 50 yards on six plays for a touchdown on the opening series. Saeger was 3-for-3 on the drive for 35 yards including a 15-yard touchdown toss to Kramer on 3rd-and-short. Saeger also carried twice for 12 yards.
The offense started four times at midfield and five times at the defense's 30. The drives from the 30 resulted in two turnovers, two missed field goals and a 23-yard field goal from Miles Bergner.
A 24-yard pass from Saeger to Kramer gave the offense a first-and-goal from the 4. A stuff on a first-down run by defenders Alex Coker and Jon Maag, followed by two incomplete passes forced the short field goal.
Jim Litrenta and Michael Lilly were credited with four tackles apiece to lead the defense. Chris Tyler, Isaac Armstead and John Wessell had two tackles. Only 25 of the 39 plays ended with tackles.
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