South Dakota ran a program-record 107 offensive plays, totaled 578 yards of offense and possessed the ball for more than 37 minutes, but came out on the wrong end of a 38-34 decision Saturday in Macomb. The two teams combined for 378 yards during a fourth quarter that had five lead changes.
 
Here are some other notes from week nine:

• The Coyotes surpassed 300 yards rushing for the second time this season. It marked the first time since 2014 that USD has surpassed 300 yards on the ground twice in the same year.
• Kai Henry ran 30 times for 145 yards – both of which are career highs.
• Henry accounted for 11 of the Coyotes' 37 first downs. He converted 7 of 8 third-down carries requiring four yards or fewer. He also averaged 5.2 yards on 14 first-down runs.
• Canaan Brooks ran for a career-high 69 yards and a score. It was his second touchdown of the season and fourth of his career.
• Brett Samson had a career-high six catches for a team-high 52 yards. He caught a touchdown for the second time in as many games. It was the seventh touchdown of his career.
• Caleb Vander Esch caught his sixth touchdown of the season, which ranks third in the Valley.
• Levi Falck returned to the lineup after missing six games with a hand injury. He caught three passes for 37 yards.
• Austin Goehring entered the game with four career catches. He added three catches for a career-high 42 yards and also caught his second touchdown of the season.
• True freshman Carter Bell did more than just return kicks. The former high school quarterback worked the slot for two catches and 10 yards.
• Mason Lorber drilled both field goal attempts. It was his fifth time as a Coyote that he made two kicks in the same game.
• Safety Phillip Powell made plays all over the field and racked up a career-high 13 tackles (12 solo) including one for loss. He was also credited with a pass breakup.
• USD started with a 4-3 front for the first time. Redshirt freshman Brendan Webb earned his first career start at one of those end positions. He finished with four tackles and broke up two passes.
• Darin Greenfield notched his team-leading fifth sack of the season. He has 24.0 for his career, three shy of the program record with three games to go.
• Austin Simmons threw three touchdowns for the third time this season.
• Simmons passed Ryan Justice for fourth on the Coyotes' all-time passing list. Simmons' 5,982 yards are 99 shy of Chris Streveler for third place and 258 shy of Wesley Beschorner for second place.

QUOTABLE
 
Junior safety Phillip Powell
On defending the Leathernecks…
"We knew they like to run a lot of things through that wing position. Their offense is successful when they can get the ball into their hands so the focus was to eliminate that from the game. We did a good job of that in the first half, but they switched it up more in the second. They threw more on first down and got away from their tendencies and it turned into a shootout at the end.
 
On moving forward…
"We're working on our assignments. Everyone is focused on doing their job to the best of their abilities. Everybody's all in, and as long as we have that commitment and drive we will be fine. We have guys playing their hearts out and those same guys will continue to do so until the season is over."
 
Junior wide receiver Levi Falck
On his return…
"The trainers said I was good to and the hand held up well. I couldn't even tell the difference when I was out there. I think my second play out there, I caught a slant and just getting that first hit out the way was comforting. I was good to go and didn't even think about it the rest of the game."
 
On his preparation throughout the injury…
"I was still running and staying in shape, whether it was doing sprints on the field or going on jogs to stay in shape so I was good stamina wise. Running routes against actual defenders took a second to get used to."
 
Sophomore left guard Austin Wallace
On a second 300-yard rushing performance…
"Our preparation during the week has been the key. We put a lot of focus on scheme and what we're doing. We run the same plays, but every week, the technique is a little different in how we are going to do it. I think that's what really pushed us forward last week."
 
On success moving the chains…
"One of our goals is third-down conversion and I think we were just over 60 percent. But we were only 1 of 4 on fourth downs and that was disappointing. As an o-line, we want to hang our hat on short yardage and goal line. We were good on third downs, but we weren't on fourth downs.
 
"I think our pass protection helped Saturday. Their d-line is the real deal. For most of the season, they've been good on QB rushes and sacks, and being able to hold them to 4-5 hurries the whole game and doing that, we can really get the ball moving through the air."


AUDIBLE
For more on Saturday's game, check out the latest edition of YoteCast, the official podcast of the South Dakota Coyotes. In Monday's edition, John Thayer, who worked the sidelines for the Coyote Sports Network, and Jay Elsen from Midco Sports Network break down the game against the Leathernecks and look ahead to Saturday's home game against Youngstown State.