The Game
South Dakota goes for its fourth straight win Saturday when the 15^th-ranked Coyotes (5-2, 3-1 MVFC) host the Illinois State Redbirds (2-4, 0-3) in a 1 p.m. kick inside the DakotaDome. It is the second meeting between the two programs within the last eight months. South Dakota overcame a 17-0 deficit and forced seven turnovers in beating Illinois State 27-20 in Illinois back on Feb. 27 in what was the first game of the spring season for both teams. Saturday marks the series' first return to Vermillion since 2016.
 
The Setting
Saturday is military appreciation day at USD. A military helicopter is scheduled to land at 10 a.m. on the intramural field located northeast of the DakotaDome and directly north of the W.H. Over Museum. Fans will be invited to take a tour of the helicopter. Also, country music singer Jimmy Weber is back to perform before the game, at halftime, and after the game.
 
The Redbirds
Illinois State (2-4, 0-3 MVFC) is trying to end a three-game skid while playing its fourth consecutive nationally-ranked team following No. 7 Southern Illinois, No. 16 Missouri State and No. 3 North Dakota State. The Redbirds are two seasons removed from a 10-5 record that culminated with an appearance in the FCS quarterfinals. Illinois State went 1-3 last spring before opting out of its remaining games.
 
The strength of Illinois State remains its defense, which has nine interceptions in six games. Quarterback Bryce Jefferson, who passed for 280 yards against the Coyotes last spring, returned from an injury last week, but completed 4-of-18 passes for 40 yards against NDSU. Only seven FCS teams have attempted fewer passes than Illinois State. The bell cow is freshman running back Cole Mueller who has totaled 400 yards and is averaging 6.1 yards per carry.
 
The Coyotes
South Dakota is going for its first four-game win streak inside conference play since 2006. The Coyotes feature perhaps their best defensive unit at the Division I level (since 2008). The team ranks 10^th nationally in scoring defense and run defense, and has totaled the fifth-most sacks in the nation. Offensively, Carson Camp has limited turnovers and relied on a stable of running backs and an offensive line that's generating 195 yards on the ground per game. Travis Theis has eclipsed 100 yards rushing in back-to-back games and will face a defense that's been better against the pass than the run up to this point.
 
One Last Thing (s)
USD is 3-0 at home this season … Coyote kicker Mason Lorber has made 10 consecutive field goals, which is the longest active streak in FCS … USD has outscored its six FCS foes 149-31 in the first half … Coyote receiver Caleb Vander Esch (113 catches) needs one catch to move into the top-five in program history