GAME 4: SOUTH DAKOTA (0-3) at NORTHERN COLORADO (0-3)
When	Saturday, Sept. 21 | 2:05 p.m. MDT
Where	Greeley, Colo. | Nottingham Field (8.500)
Television	None
Watch Online	Pluto TV (Channel 541) | Watch Big Sky
Radio	Coyote Sports Network (Joe Van Goor, Gary Culver, John Thayer)
Live Stats	Live Stats
South Dakota Links	Game Notes | Roster | Schedule | Stats
UNC Links	Game Notes | Roster | Schedule | Stats
MVFC Links	MVFC Notes | Website | Stats
Social Media	Facebook | Twitter | Instagram

Tailgate Information
Heading to the game on Saturday? Join fellow fans and friends for a pregame tailgate in Parking Lot L at Nottingham Field located at 17^th Ave and Reservoir Rd. in Greeley. We will be located in the northern part of the parking lot next to the Cesar Chavez Cultural Center.
 
The Game
Former North Central Conference foes South Dakota and Northern Colorado meet at Nottingham Field Saturday as two teams seeking their first win of the season. It is a rematch from last season where South Dakota defeated Northern Colorado 43-28 in Vermillion behind the arm of Austin Simmons, who passed for 462 yards, ran for 80 and accounted for five touchdowns en route to being named FCS National Performer of the Week. On the other side for the Bears is sixth-year signal caller Jacob Knipp who threw for 331 yards and three scores in last year's meeting.
 
The Series
South Dakota is back in Greeley for the first time in nearly 10 years and for just the second time since 1999. The teams first met back in 1959 and competed nine times before becoming NCC foes in 1980. The Coyotes and Bears met every year for 23 consecutive years until 2003 when Northern Colorado made the move to Division I. The next meeting came in 2009 and 2010 where both teams successfully defended their home turf. USD is looking for its first win in nine tries in Greeley since 1988.
 
The Bears
Northern Colorado was walloped 50-0 at Sacramento State last week. It was the third straight road game for the Bears to start the season, and it followed two games against FBS opponents. Knipp was injured just before halftime and did not return, though he is expected to start Saturday. He has yet to top 177 yards passing this season, though opponents have included San Jose State and then-No. 22 Washington State. The wildcard for the Bears has been senior running back Milo Hall who carried 31 times for 113 yards and a score against the Cougars. Last week, he netted 18 yards on 13 totes against the Hornets.
 
The Coyotes
Simmons is the reigning MVFC Offensive Player of the Week after passing for a program-record 537 yards with four touchdown passes in a 53-52 loss at home to Houston Baptist. Two receivers – Randy Baker and Caleb Vander Esch – both went over 100 yards receiving while Kai Henry scored three touchdowns on the ground. The Coyotes competed without wide outs Kody Case and Levi Falck for the first time, though Case might be able to return Saturday. Case combined for 17 catches, 212 yards and three touchdowns in the first two games of the year against Montana and Oklahoma.
 
The Defenses
Certainly, both defenses would prefer better starts to 2019, though both sets have faced some high-powered offenses in the early going. Both feature youth on the edges and that has resulted in tough times defending the pass. It won't be any easier this week with Simmons and Knipp at the ready. Winning early downs, quarterback pressures and forcing turnovers will be key.
 
One Last Thing…
South Dakota and Northern Colorado combined for nearly 1,100 yards in last year's contest even though no single running back reached 40 yards. Four touchdowns were scored before the first punt. It was a 20-0 edge in the second quarter for the Coyotes that propelled them to victory. Simmons' 2-yard touchdown run made it a 2-score game with 5:19 remaining and the Bears fumbled the ensuing kickoff.