The Game
The 104^th edition of the annual Dakota Days game takes place at 2 p.m. Saturday inside the DakotaDome where South Dakota is set to host Indiana State. It is a rematch of the last Dakota Days game back in 2019 when the Coyotes blanked their visitors 38-0. Both teams enter play 2-2 overall and coming off a loss to begin Valley play. Both teams beat two non-conference FCS foes and lost to an FBS opponent.
 
The Tailgater of the Game
The South Dakota Beef Industry Council is hosting a Dakota Days Tailgate Contest Saturday with judging taking place between 11:30 a.m.-1:15 p.m. Beef must be the star ingredient of course, and participants will be judged on taste (15 pts), tailgate friendliness (15 pts), presentation (10 pts), and salesmanship (5 pts). Prizes will be awarded for first, second and third place. Bring your beef items to the Coyote Sports Properties trailer located north of the DakotaDome. Bring enough for THREE judges!
 
The Coyotes
South Dakota led 23-14 at the half of last week's road game at No. 18 Missouri State, but was outscored 17-0 in the second half and lost 31-23. The Coyotes recovered four fumbles, returned a kickoff for a touchdown and had six sacks, but three turnovers of their own and execution inside the red zone were the difference. Wide receiver Carter Bell produced the team's first 100-yard receiving game. Linebackers Jack Cochrane and Brock Mogensen lead a defense that ranks 28^th nationally.
 
The Sycamores
Indiana State was blitzed at home 44-0 by No. 2 South Dakota State last week. The Sycamores, which didn't compete at all during the 2020-21 academic year, are rotating quarterbacks Kurtis Wilderman and Anthony Thompson and have been without all-Valley receiver Dante Hendrix since the opening week of the season with a foot injury. The defense has forced six turnovers and has nine sacks in four games. Defensive back Michael Thomas (31 tackles) and defensive end Inoke Moala (6.5 TFL, 2.5 sacks) are the leaders there.
 
The Series
South Dakota has won four of the last five meetings and leads the all-time series 4-2. The last two games in Vermillion have been blowouts, but the last two games in Indiana needed overtime. The Coyotes are 65-33-5 (.655) all-time on Dakota Days and have won 15 of their last 19 homecoming contests. USD head coach Bob Nielson is 4-0 on Dakota Days.
 
One Last Thing
Nielson confirmed Tuesday that running back Shomari Lawrence sustained a season-ending injury last week in Missouri. Lawrence was part of a USD ground game that is averaging better than 200 yards per game and ranks 22^nd nationally. Starter Travis Theis missed game three and carried eight times last week. Freshmen Mike Mansaray and Nate Thomas have been leading rushers in games this season and are expected to factor more in the rotation with Lawrence's absence.
 
Indiana State ranks 70^th against the run, allowing 160 yards per game.