The Pregame
Heading to the game Saturday? Join USD fans and friends for a pregame party Saturday from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Fiala Brothers Brewery & Beer Hall located at 127 E Beaufort St. in Normal. Hancock Stadium is approximately a 1-mile walk from Fiala Brothers.
 
The Game
South Dakota looks to play spoiler as it takes on the Illinois State Redbirds at 2 p.m. on homecoming Saturday in Normal. The Coyotes (1-4, 0-2 MVFC) are seeking their first win inside conference play. The Redbirds (3-2, 1-1) are going for two in a row following a 23-21 road win at UNI last weekend.
 
The Coyotes
South Dakota is trying to flip a switch following losses against No. 16 FBS Kansas State and the top three ranked teams in the FCS. On the road against a team receiving votes for the top-25 and celebrating homecoming isn't an ideal place to make that happen, but it's the opportunity that awaits.
 
A 560-yard performance in a win against Cal Poly was just three games ago, but South Dakota's offense has totaled 402 yards in two games since albeit against elite competition. USD has faced the No. 2 (SDSU), No. 5 (Montana) and No. 8 (NDSU) ranked defenses over the last few weeks. Illinois State boasts the 17^th-ranked defense.
 
The Redbirds
Illinois State has faced some adversity in its own right. The Redbirds lost all-Valley running back Cole Mueller back in game one. He ran 25 times for 178 yards and a touchdown in a 20-14 Redbird win against South Dakota inside the DakotaDome a year ago. Thus, the offense now centers around quarterback Zack Annexstad, a transfer from Minnesota, who is averaging 218 yards passing as has the Redbirds converting third downs at a 48-percent clip, which ranks 16^th nationally.
 
But the strength of Illinois State remains its defense. Rush end Zeke Vandenburgh is its leader and has seven of the Redbirds' 19 sacks. He also leads the Valley with 52 tackles, two more than Coyote linebacker Stephen Hillis. Pressuring the quarterback has helped lead to six interceptions. Illinois State has also recovered three fumbles.
 
The Notes
South Dakota and Illinois State faced each other twice in 2021. The Coyotes forced seven turnovers and won 27-20 in Normal in February during the COVID-shortened spring season. The teams met again in the fall of 2021. USD quarterback Carson Camp was injured in the first half of that game and Illinois State held on for a six-point win.
 
Camp, who played his high school ball just down the road from Hancock Stadium, enters the game with 3,996 career yards passing. Just seven players in program history have reached 4,000. Camp and the Coyote offense is spearheaded by running back Travis Theis, the Valley's sixth-leading rusher.
 
One Last Thing
Fans will get a good look at two of the top-performing defensive players in the country. Vandenburgh is a leader in sacks, tackles and wreaking havoc. South Dakota cornerback Myles Harden leads the nation in forced fumbles and forced turnovers. Harden has three interceptions, four forced fumbles and is USD's fourth-leading tackler.