VERMILLION, S.D. — Officially halfway through camp as the University of South Dakota football team continues its preparation for the 2024 season and opening week opponent Northern State on August 29.
 
Mother Nature provided some relief late this week with a break the temperatures, but that hasn't stopped the Coyotes from steadily improving now through two weeks of camp. Ultimately, it comes down to putting in that work despite the uncontrollable around you. Offensive coordinator Josh Davis commented, "It's just nice to be able to have the indoor option (when needed) and to be outside on a beautiful practice field to get the work done that we need to get done."
 
Head coach Bob Nielson summed up the week and camp up to this point, "Football weather, for sure. You know, we're continuing to improve. I don't think anything's really surprised me you guys are practicing with a lot of energy."
 
Nielson and coordinators spoke about the first week of camp. See the full comments below.
 
HC Bob Nielson
On where the team stands two weeks into camp
"I think we see improvement in every area from the spring, which is what you want to do, and you know the work that you put in over the summer is designed to get you that quick start and feel like we've been able to accomplish that here over the first couple of weeks."
 
Comments on week two of camp
"We're getting more and more into situational work and some of the things that relate to game situations. I feel like we're definitely ahead of where we have been in camps (in the past) trying to balance with getting the work that you need. And making sure that we're keeping guys healthy. Getting reps for younger guys."
 
"We'll have our first scrimmage opportunity coming up, which is one of the few that we'll do during the preseason, but it's great opportunity to get some evaluation on guys that we need to get evaluated in."
 
Associate HC/DC Travis Johansen
On how the defense is coming along the first two weeks of camp
"Yeah, I think good. I think we were getting more scenarios, more situational football. You know, watching those younger guys that are twos and threes right now, figure out the situational play, which is awesome to see. I think our ones are getting much more comfortable in those scenarios. As their new scenarios are there, they're executing the job with the situation in mind much more often. Good to see but yeah, overall, we like where we're at."
 
On the younger guys stepping up in key position spots
"Yeah, I think we did a lot of that work in the spring. We knew where we were from experience perspective in the spring and poured a ton of reps into those guys. We feel like we filled those holes, how much production, how well we can play, in comparison to a year ago. Not even compared to a year ago but just in comparison to our best and that's what we're trying to accomplish now."
 
On the Yotes defense to come this season
"We feel great. We have two lines of defense right now and their ability to go win football games for us. You know, we'll see when Game Day kicks off"
 
OC Josh Davis
On how the offense is looking through two weeks of fall camp
"We're getting better little by little, and understanding that, our defense is giving us a variety of looks. There's more going on at the line of scrimmage, that communication is great. And more often than not, we're executing the play call at a pretty high level pretty. I'm pleased where our offensive roster is as we pursue August 29 (Northern State). A lot of work to be done yet as we kind of figure out who we can count on to play high level football consistently, but that's what fall camp is about. For the most part. We're staying healthy and that's another big part of what we want to be heading into the season."
 
On how the break in the heat has been for the team
"It helps, it certainly doesn't hurt. We're blessed to be able to go indoors if we feel like that's what's going to be best for our football team. If we feel like getting them out in the heat and working them a little bit and working on their stamina and mental toughness to push through those, you know, high heat a lot of rep type days that's really good for our football team, as well."
 
Stay connected with the Coyotes on social media, including photo and video content throughout the rest of fall camp.