The Pregame
The Coyote Alley Tailgate is heading across the street to the Dakota Center located at Pizza Ranch and will run from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. There, $12 will get you a Pizza Ranch Tailgate Buffet, a drink and a $5 Fun Zone Card. That deal is free for the first 50 University of South Dakota students.
 

Tailgate in comfort on Saturday from 10:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. as we take Coyote Alley indoors to the Dakota Center located at Pizza Ranch.

What can you expect? 🤔

$12 (FREE for first 50 students) includes Pizza Ranch Tailgate Buffet, Drink and $5 Fun Zone Card pic.twitter.com/gQUd1Cx4GY

— South Dakota Coyotes (@SDCoyotes) November 17, 2022

 
The Game
South Dakota hosts UNI on Senior Day inside the DakotaDome. Kickoff is 1 p.m. It is the final game of the regular season for both teams. UNI, at 5-5 and fresh off its bye week, must win for any chance at postseason play. South Dakota is looking to finish 4-1 at home on the year.
 
The Coyotes
South Dakota has alternated solid home wins with tough road losses the last four weeks. This one is at home where the Coyotes have averaged 25 points per game. The Coyotes will need another team effort in this one as UNI enters with the No. 1 offense led by the Valley's No. 1 passer.
 
Aidan Bouman has passed for 760 yards with seven touchdowns and zero interceptions since taking the field on Oct. 22. He is expected to make his fourth collegiate start. Wesley Eliodor is the first Coyote at the Division I level and overall since 2005 to haul in a touchdown pass in four consecutive games. On the defensive side, linebackers Stephen Hillis (101) and Brock Mogensen (96) are competing to finish the regular season with the most tackles in the conference.
 
The Panthers
UNI has won five of seven following an 0-3 start to the season. The Panthers have lost by two points to North Dakota, two points at home to Illinois State, and last time out by three points to top-ranked South Dakota State.
 
Theo Day, the second-year Panther and Michigan State transfer, is averaging 274 yards passing per game and has 21 touchdown passes against six interceptions. Dom Williams and Vance McShane are capable backs who split carries. Sam Schnee and Deion McShane pace a deep receiving room. Defensively, UNI  has allowed 400 yards on average. That unit is led by linebacker and leading tackler Spencer Cuvelier and safety Benny Sapp III, who leads the league with four interceptions.
 
The Series
Because of COVID-19, the last two games of this series have taken place in Cedar Falls. This is the Panthers' first trip to Vermillion since 2018. The teams have met every year except two since South Dakota's transition to Division I in 2008 (2011, 2020). South Dakota won last year's meeting 34-21. UNI leads the all-time series 30-20-1.
 
One Last Thing
South Dakota will honor 11 seniors in a pregame ceremony. Eight of the 11 seniors are in their sixth season of college football. Josh Manchigiah, the South Dakota State transfer, played in his seventh season. Four have been with the Coyotes for six years, two for five years and four are finishing their first year at USD. The list includes: John Bickle, Dalton Godfrey, Austin Goehring, Alex Jensen, Josh Manchigiah, Isaiah McDaniels, Eddie Ogamba, Parker Rickert, Michael Scott, Trevor Shohoney and Cameron Tisdale.