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The Theme
South Dakota hosts Youngstown State Saturday on Military Appreciation Day at the DakotaDome. Here is what you need to know:
- All current and former military members will receive free tickets!
- The Coyotes will don a new decal on their helmets honoring all service men and women
- You can obtain a button of this same decal by being one of the first to arrive at the Dome, or by stopping by President Gestring's Tailgate located north of the tennis courts by the W.H. Over Museum
- A military rocket launcher vehicle will also be on display near President Gestring's Tailgate. Stop by for photo opportunies!
- Hear music from Jimmy Weber!
- Weber has shared the stage with country music royalty. He also recently retired from active duty after 24 years of service with the United States Air Force. Weber will be part of pregame, halftime and postgame facilities so be sure to stick around for a truly spectacular performance.
The Game
The Coyotes are looking to end a three-game skid and get even in the Valley standings at 3-3. The visiting Penguins are still in the playoff hunt despite a 1-4 conference mark, but can ill afford another slip with three weeks to go.
The Series
Youngstown State leads the series 6-1, but the two teams have split their last two meetings. The Coyotes kicked a last-second field goal to beat the Penguins 31-28 two years ago in Vermillion. YSU responded with a 29-17 win in Ohio last season, a game it led 22-0 at the half.
The Coyotes
South Dakota has averaged 30 points and 464 yards during its three-game skid, but 13 turnovers and a 3-for-9 performance on fourth down have kept more points off the board.
Austin Simmons has been the Valley's top passer all season, and running back
Kai Henry enters with back-to-back 100-yard rushing performances. The defense allowed less than 300 yards during three wins prior to the skid, but has allowed more than 400 in these last three losses.
The Penguins
Youngstown State lost senior quarterback Nathan Mays to an ankle injury last week. Sophomore Joe Craycraft is expected to start, though true freshman Mark Waid can play one more game without burning a season. Nonetheless, the Penguins feature a run game with several options; most notably senior running back Joe Alessi is averaging 6.6 yards per carry. Defensively, Youngstown is producing more sacks and turnovers than last year. A physical defensive line is highlighted by defensive end Justus Reed who has 8.5 sacks and 13 tackles-for-loss.
More on Simmons
Austin Simmons has started 20 consecutive games since the start of last season and stands 18 passing yards shy of 6,000 for his career. The Coyotes' all-time passing leader is Noah Shepard, a four-year starter who accumulated 8,936 yards. Wesley Beschorner, a three-year starter, is second on that list with 6,240 yards, and
Chris Streveler, who started 23 games over two seasons, is third with 6,081. Simmons can leap Streveler and Beschorner with 259 yards Saturday, which would give him 6,241.
One Last Thing…
South Dakota ran for more than 300 yards last week, the second time this season the Coyotes' ground game has eclipsed 300 yards. USD hadn't posted two 300-yard rushing efforts in the same season since 2014. Youngstown State enters with a 56
th-ranked run defense, one allowing 152 yards per game. The Coyotes have yet to outrush Youngstown State in seven meetings, though they did tie back in 2015.
