The Pregame
Coyote Alley, South Dakota's pregame area directly east of the DakotaDome, is up and running again this week. It features a live DJ and inflatables.
 
The Game
It is a rematch for both teams. USD (10-2) and NDSU (10-3) last met in the postseason in 1986 when the Bison beat the Coyotes 27-7 in the Division II national championship game. It was the third of now 14 national titles for NDSU. South Dakota beat NDSU 24-19 in Fargo this season in the Valley opener for both teams. The Coyotes scored touchdowns on all three first-half possessions and held on for the team's second win in Fargo since 2015.
 
The Coyotes
South Dakota reached the quarterfinals for the first time following a 34-24 win against Sacramento State last weekend inside the DakotaDome. Charles Pierre Jr. ran for a career-high 123 yards, Aidan Bouman threw two touchdowns and the Coyote defense forced two turnovers. It gave South Dakota its 10^th win of the season, most at the FCS level and one shy of the program record set back in 1986.
 
Linebacker Brock Mogensen, the MVFC Defensive Player of the Year, and safety Dennis Shorter had 13 tackles each in South Dakota's win against North Dakota State earlier this season. Sound tackling will be needed again against an NDSU team that has averaged better than 300 yards rushing in its two playoff games. South Dakota's front seven against a team that loves quarterback power runs will be a key matchup.
 
Complementary football has been a theme all season under new offensive coordinator Josh Davis. It means sustaining drives, valuing the football and putting the defense in good positions. It worked in Fargo where USD scored 24 points in just five possessions. On the flip side, NDSU's longest play from scrimmage netted 22 yards and came late in the third quarter.
 
The Bison
You could argue North Dakota State has been playing playoff football for the last month. The Bison were 6-3 with much-needed victories to close out the regular season and seemed to peak in wins against Southern Illinois and UNI to reach the postseason. A first-round laugher against Drake was followed with a 35-34 overtime win at No. 6 Montana State last week. A blocked extra point was the difference.
 
This is the 14^th consecutive quarterfinals appearance for NDSU, but just its fifth road game in that span. Running back TaMerik Williams was the hero last week, netting 162 yards and two long touchdowns on just 11 carries. That took the pressure off quarterbacks Cam Miller and Cole Payton who combined for just 35 yards on the ground. Those two average 90 yards together on the season and the duo totals 22 rushing scores. They ran 20 times for 84 yards and a touchdown in game one against South Dakota.
 
Defensive end Dylan Hendricks, linebacker Logan Kopp and safety Cole Wisniewski are first-team all-conference honorees. Wisniewski came away with his sixth interception of the season last week. Drake mounted 177 yards of offense in round one. Montana State netted 513 yards in round two.
 
One Last Thing
South Dakota is 6-1 at home this season. They have forced at least one turnover in each home game and totaled 17 sacks and six interceptions. North Dakota State, though, has won its last four trips to Vermillion. The Coyotes' last win at home against the Bison came in 2002.
 
Basketball to Follow!
Catch South Dakota men's basketball (6-3) hosting Cal State Bakersfield at 6 p.m. inside the Sanford Coyote Sports Center following the football game. A football ticket stub can be traded for a $5 ticket (normally $15) into the game.