The Pregame
Coyote Alley, presented by HyVee and Scheels, will be home to alumni, Coyote Sports Properties and student tailgate programming prior to Saturday's matchup against Youngstown State. Located directly east of the DakotaDome near the tennis courts, Coyote Alley will have music by DJ Marcus Destin, inflatables and food for sale prepared by Hy-Vee. This area is free to the public.
 
It is also Manufacturing Appreciation Day presented by Masaba along with associate level game sponsors HYDRO, Wilson Trailer and Vishay Dale Electronics. Come out to learn about job opportunities with area manufacturers while cheering on the Yotes!
 
The Game
No. 10/17 South Dakota backed up its win at North Dakota State with a convincing 38-7 victory against Murray State last week for Dakota Days. The Coyotes (4-1, 2-0 MVFC) improved to 3-0 at home this season and 4-0 against FCS opponents. Those streaks will be put to the test against No. 20/23 Youngstown State (3-2, 1-1 MVFC) who demolished then-No. 5 Southern Illinois 31-3 last week. The home team has won the last six matchups between these two teams.
 
The Coyotes
South Dakota's offense has been incredibly efficient over its last three games, scoring on 15 of 20 possessions with 13 touchdowns and two field goals. The run game got a career-high 190 yards from Travis Theis last week and is averaging 193 yards and 5.6 yards per carry against FCS opponents. Quarterback Aidan Bouman ranks ninth nationally in pass efficiency. He has 15 career touchdown passes against two interceptions.
 
The Coyote defense has allowed just 32 points to its four FCS foes and ranks No. 1 in scoring defense among FCS scholarship teams. That unit will be put to the test against a Youngstown State offense averaging 35 points per game. Linebacker Brock Mogensen leads the team and ranks fourth in the Valley with 40 tackles. Nick Gaes and Brendan Webb have combined for 8.5 of the team's 13 sacks.
 
The Penguins
Youngstown State's big win last week came after a 44-41 road loss at UNI the week prior. Northern Michigan transfer Tyshon King has scored a league-high eight touchdowns and averages 6.8 ypc. Two of King's touchdowns came in last week's Southern Illinois matchup. YSU quarterback Mitch Davidson is averaging 203 yards passing. His top target Bryce Oliver has 29 catches for 397 yards and one touchdown.
 
The Penguin defense has allowed the fewest rushing yards nationally among teams with five games. They have amounted 19 sacks with four coming from linebacker and leading tackler Alex Howard. Youngstown State has also blocked three punts. Only three other FCS teams have blocked at least three punts so far this season.
 
One Last Thing
 
South Dakota's No. 10 ranking is the highest since the 2017 season. Mogensen needs 10 more tackles to move to fourth place in program history, RB Travis Theis needs 113 yards to move to 10^th on the Coyotes' all-time rushing list and WR Carter Bell needs three catches to move to 10^th on the Coyotes' all-time list.
 
South Dakota is hosting one of three FCS games this weekend involving a pair of top-25 teams. The others are North Dakota (15) hosting North Dakota State (6) and Montana (16) hosting Idaho (3).