VERMILLION, S.D. -- South Dakota (2-0) will bring an explosive, quick strike offense into its matchup with Minnesota State Moorhead (0-2) in nonconference football on Hall of Fame Saturday, Sept.11 at the DakotaDome. The Coyotes are averaging 52.5 points and over 500 yards total offense per game. Head Coach Ed Meierkort has opened his tenure at USD with a 2-0 record.

At Stake The Coyotes will try to open 3-0 for the first time since the 1998 season when USD opened with wins over Wayne State (24-14), Truman State (21-16) and Minnesota State, Mankato (29-26) before dropping its final eight games of that season. USD won the first five games of the 1996 season and was 6-1 before finishing 6-5. The Coyotes will try and end a six-game losing streak in the third game played in a season. In game threes, USD has a 39-63-3 record all-time. In 2004, USD has opened with a 49-22 win over Truman State at Kirksville, Mo., and a 56-0 over Peru State in the Coyotes' home season opener at the DakotaDome on Sept. 2.

Series Info South Dakota and Minnesota State Moorhead will meet for the first time.

Hall of Fame Saturday and Yote Zone The South Dakota Athletics Department will honor eight individuals (see article in this release), all with ties to USD, at the 2004 Henry Heider Coyote Sports Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony at 11 a.m. on Saturday, Sept. 11 in the Commons Dining Hall on the USD campus. The honorees will also be honored during halftime of the Coyotes' game with MSU Moorhead. In addition, USD will once again provide family fun before and during the Coyotes' game on Saturday. Once again, USD will feature the Yote Zone, which includes a variety of pre-game festivities.

South Dakota to Honor Carl Miller Sept. 18 The University of South Dakota will honor former USD Athletics Director Carl Miller on Saturday, Sept. 18 at the Coyotes' football game with Wisconsin-LaCrosse. Miller will be recognized during halftime with a reception for Miller to be held following the game at Pro's. Miller's alma mater is Wisconsin-LaCrosse.

Coyotes Broadcasts The University of South Dakota football against Minnesota State Moorhead on Saturday, Sept. 11 will be broadcast on the Coyote Sports Network on Sports Radio 1570 AM, Vermillion/Yankton, S.D. Gametime is set for 7 p.m. The Coyotes will have expanded coverage, including KJAM 103.1 FM in Madison, S.D., and K-Talk 1340 AM in Rapid City, S.D. The coverage will include southeastern South Dakota as well as the Sioux Falls and Rapid City areas. The Voice of the Coyotes, Kevin Culhane, will provide the play-by-play. Veteran broadcaster Joe Van Goor and Hall of Fame coach Max Hawk will provide commentary. A pre-game show, hosted by Lane Grindle, will air 90 minutes prior to gametime. Lane Grindle will handle sideline and post-game reporting duties. The game is also available on the Internet at www.usdcoyotes.com or at www.kvht.com and on Teamline at 1-800-846-4700 (team code - 6056).

South Dakota At Home in the Dome With the win over Peru State on Sept. 2, South Dakota improved to a 92-52 (.638) all-time record at the DakotaDome. The Coyotes defeated St. Thomas (Minn.), 22-6, in the first collegiate game played at the Dome in 1979. USD owned a 130-83-8 mark at Inman Stadium (1924 to 1979). USD defeated Yankton, 19-0, in the first game played (Sept. 27, 1924).

On South Dakota Head Coach Ed Meierkort Ed Meierkort is in his first season as head football coach at South Dakota. He was named South Dakota's 25th head football coach following a nationwide search in December 2003. Meierkort had served as head coach at Wisconsin-Stout since 1993. With the win over Truman State on August 28 in Kirksville, Mo., Meierkort is now 2-0 in his career at USD. Meierkort led Wisconsin-Stout to a 29-11 record during the past four seasons. A relentless recruiter, Meierkort, 44, was responsible for a turning around the football fortunes at Wisconsin-Stout. By going to a balanced offense to complement its perennially strong defense, the Blue Devils became one of the best teams in the Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference. In 2000, Meierkort began the resurgence in Blue Devil football by registering one of the great turnaround seasons in not only Wisconsin-Stout history but in all of Division III. From a 2-8 record in 1999, Wisconsin-Stout won its first 10 games of the 2000 season, losing only in the NCAA Division III playoffs to St. John's (Minn.), 26-19. During that special season, the Blue Devils had a 7-0 record in one of the best Division III conferences in the nation. Wisconsin-Stout became just the 11th team to record a perfect conference mark since 1965. Meierkort was the 2000 Wisconsin Intercollegiate Conference Coach of the Year and the American Football Coaches Association Region V Coach of the Year. That year, he was a finalist for the AFCA National Coach of the Year award. From 2001-03, Wisconsin-Stout was nationally ranked, including a No. 5 ranking in 2000. His team's accomplishments in that span, include an 18-2 record at home, as well as an 11-6 record against the top five teams in the WIAC. Equally impressive is his record vs. NCAA Division II opponents. His teams played 19 Division II squads, recording nine wins at a program that does not offer athletic scholarships. In addition, Meierkort has recruited and coached 16 All-Americans and had two players move on to the National Football League. Meierkort's 1998 team finished second in the nation in passing offense and was nationally ranked in total offense (435 yards per game) and points scored (36 points per game). That same season, he coached the John Gagliardi finalist, NCAA Division III's top player, and the nation's total offense leader, Matt Bunyon. In 1998, Wisconsin-Stout defeated national semifinalist Wisconsin-Eau Claire, 35-7. Meierkort left Wisconsin-Stout as its all-time wins leader with an overall mark of 55-55. Meierkort also served as an assistant (assistant head coach, recruiting coordinator, defensive coordinator and strength coach) at Southwest Minnesota State from 1983-93. He was the assistant head coach from 1989-93 and defensive coordinator from 1984-89. During his time with the Mustangs, the squad twice won the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference and qualified for the NAIA playoffs two times. Southwest Minnesota State finished in the top-10 twice, including a No. 5 ranking in 1990. He was the defensive coordinator for the NAIA's number-one ranked defense in 1988 and defensive coordinator for the nation's No. 2 ranked team in 1991. Prior to going to Southwest Minnesota State, he served as a graduate assistant at South Dakota State in 1983. During the 1982 season, he was the defensive coordinator and head baseball coach at Dakota Wesleyan University in Mitchell, S.D. Meierkort earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in business administration in 1982 from Dakota Wesleyan. Originally of Chicago, Ill., he also has a Master of Arts degree in athletic administration from South Dakota State University in 1987. He and his wife, Terri, have two sons, Reid and Chase.

Season Review (USD - 2-0)

Game 1 -- South Dakota 49 Truman State 22 In the coaching debut of head coach Ed Meierkort and his staff, The South Dakota Coyotes football team (1-0) successfully opened the 2004 season with a 49-22 conquest of Truman State (0-1) before 3,100 at Stokes Stadium in Kirksville, Mo., on Saturday, August 28. The Coyotes improved to 12-3 all-time vs. the MIAA.

South Dakota, with nine offensive starters returning, moved the ball all day, rolling up 548 yards in total offense, including 311 on the ground and 237 through the air. The Coyotes averaged 8.4 yards per play, including a 7.2 yard per rush average. The 311 yards rushing was the biggest total since rolling up 388 yards in a 42-7 win over St. Joseph's in the eighth game (October 26) of the 2002 season. USD's offense controlled the game with six scoring drives of 56 yards or better. Against Truman State, the Coyotes were led by USD sophomore running back Travis Mlady (Bloomfield, Neb.), who rushed for a career-high 158 yards on 15 carries and scored a TD. Mlady, who came into the game with 42 career yards rushing, had runs of 38 and 39 yards that helped set up Coyote scores. Also for USD, sophomore wide receiver Derek Gearman (Lennox, S.D.) had an outstanding performance in his first career start. Gearman, who also excels on the USD track team, had three catches for 136 yards with two TDs. He had a school-record 88-yard TD catch in the third quarter and a 40-yard scoring reception in the fourth quarter. In addition, junior quarterback Wesley Beschorner accounted for a career-best four TDs, including three TD passes and a four-yard scoring run. Beschorner completed 11 of 17 passes for 198 yards and had one interception. He also rushed for 18 yards. The 88-yard pass play from Beschorner to Gearman in the third quarter set a USD game record for longest pass and longest reception, previously held on an 84-yard pass play from Tom Engelman to Joe Trudeau against Idaho State in 1971. Running back Stefan Logan (sophomore, Miami, Fla.), who played just the first half, had eight carries for 79 yards and three catches for 20 yards.

On defense, USD limited Truman State to 59 yards on the ground and 345 yards in total offense. In addition, USD had four quarterback sacks, six tackles for loss, recovered a fumble and had an interception. USD scored first when senior Wes Beschorner (Lohrville, Iowa) connected with senior tight end Paul Tschetter (Sioux Falls, S.D.) on a seven-yard scoring strike with 12:13 to play in the quarter. After Truman State's Jerard Leverson scored from one-yard out (3:14, 1st quarter) to tie the game at 7-7, it was Beschorner who helped USD retake the lead. Beschorner scored on a four-yard run with 9:28 to play in the first half as USD took a 14-7 lead. The home-standing Bulldogs answered as A.J. Weber caught a two-yard TD pass from Jake Czeschin to tie the game at the 3:31 mark of the second quarter. Just before halftime, USD scored the go-ahead TD on a special teams play. With 43 seconds to play in the half, senior Chris Mikkelsen (Gregory, S.D.) had a 68-yard punt return but fumbled the ball into the end zone, which was recovered by USD's Ricardo Sorrell. With Cody Butler's conversion, the Coyotes led 21-14 with 21 seconds left in the half. From that point on, USD outscored the Bulldogs, 28-8, in the second half. Sophomore fullback Tyler Evans (Stewart, Minn.) scored his first career TD on a 35-yard run at the 13:23 mark of the third quarter as USD led, 28-14. For the game, Evans rushed for a career-best 59 yards on seven carries. On USD's next possession, Beschorner and Gearman worked their school-record passing magic. On a second-down play from the 12-yard line, Beschorner found a wide open Gearman, who caught the ball in stride and sprinted to the end zone on the 88-yard scoring play at the 10:26 mark of the third quarter as USD led, 35-14. Gearman and Beschorner connected again on a 40-yard scoring play with 10:45 left in the fourth quarter. USD closed out its scoring on the day when Mlady scored on an eight-yard TD run at the 5:27 mark of the fourth quarter for a 49-14 lead. Truman State scored with 15 seconds left on a two-yard run by Jonathan Duffy. Duffy also scored on the two-point conversion to close out the scoring.

Defensively, Ryan Hedden, a sophomore from Fairmont, Neb., led the Coyotes with eight tackles. Sophomore defensive back Jordan Davis (Summerset, Texas), junior Garon Borowski (Ralston, Neb.), redshirt freshman defensive tackle, Zach Johnson (Brookings, S.D.) and junior defensive tackle Adam Schwab (Mantorville, Minn.) had quarterback sacks. Junior defensive back Kellen Burch (St. Paul, Minn.) had an interception and Brett Peterson (Clear Lake, Iowa) had a fumble recovery.

Truman State was led on defense by Ben Wilson, who had 17 tackles, including 2 1?2 tackles for loss. Austin Hills had 12 tackles. The Bulldogs' offense was led by Czeschin, who completed 23 of 38 passes for 286 yards with one TD and an interception. Wide receiver Jeff Amundson had six receptions for 68 yards.

Game 2 -- South Dakota 56 Peru State 0 Both Wes Beschorner and Travis Mlady once again shined as the South Dakota Football Team (2-0) defeated Peru State (0-2) in the Coyotes' home season opener before a raucous and energized crowd of 5,512 at a refreshed DakotaDome on Thursday night. For the second straight game, USD totaled more than 500 yards in total offense with 510 yards on 57 plays. USD had 324 yards rushing and 186 passing yards. It was the second straight game that the Coyotes had rolled up more than 300 yards on the ground. Leading the way was Mlady, a sophomore who had 152 yards on 12 carries with two TDs. Mlady, who had a long of 46 yards, averaged 12.7 yards per carry. Junior quarterback Wesley Beschorner, the reigning NCC Player of the Week, again accounted for four TDs, including three passing and one rushing. South Dakota controlled the NAIA Peru State Bobcats from the start. USD led 14-0 after one quarter and built the lead to 35-0 at halftime. USD scored a TD in the third quarter and had two scores in the final quarter of play. The Coyotes opened the scoring when Beschorner scored on a 14-yard run. With Cody Butler (Hastings, Neb.) extra point, USD led, 7-0, at the 8:09 mark of the first quarter. Later in the first quarter, Beschorner and sophomore wide receiver Derek Gearman (Lennox, S.D.) connected on a 43-yard pass play at the 4:51 mark. With Butler's kick, USD led, 14-0. Sophomore Tyler Evans (Stewart, Minn.) scored his second rushing TD of the season on a five-yard run with 10:45 to play in the second quarter. Butler's extra point gave USD a 21-0 lead. The lead grew to 28-0 when Mlady scored on a six-yard run at the 4:32 mark of the second quarter. The Coyotes closed out the first-half scoring when Beschorner threw a 26-yard TD pass to Brooks Little (Castlewood, S.D.). It was Little's first career TD reception. After the score, Butler's extra point kick gave USD a 35-0 lead at halftime. Beschorner threw his third TD pass of the night when senior Paul Tschetter (Sioux Falls, S.D.) hauled in a 10-yard scoring reception with 12:14 to play in the third quarter. With Butler's extra point kick, USD led, 42-0. Mlady scored on a 13-yard run with 13:16 to play in the fourth quarter. Butler's kick made the score, 49-0. The Coyotes closed out the scoring when Ryan Molencamp recovered a fumble by Evans in the end zone with 8:47 to play in the game. With Butler's kick, USD led, 56-0. On the night, Beschorner completed 9-of-14 passes for 138 yards with three TDs and one interception. Overall, USD completed 13-of-18 passes for 186 yards.

Senior Chris Mikkelsen (Gregory, S.D.) had four receptions for 35 yards, including a long of 15 yards. Mikkelsen also had four punt returns for 63 yards, including a long of 39 yards. Gearman's TD reception now gives him four catches on the season and three TDs, with all three scores better than 40 yards. On the ground, USD received 53 yards rushing on six carries from sophomore Stefan Logan (Miami, Fla.), who left the game in the first half. Beschorner had six carries for 45 yards and a TD while Evans had 39 yards on six carries. Newcomer Darnell Pitts (Sioux City, Iowa) had 27 yards on five carries. Tschetter ended with three receptions for 34 yards while David Cronin had two receptions for 36 yards, including a long of 21 yards. Luke Mikkelsen had two punts for 107 yards or 53.5 per kick.

On defense, the Coyotes limited Peru State to 22 yards rushing on 30 carries and 134 yards in total offense. USD had four quarterback sacks and 10 tackles for loss. Senior Mike Meekins (Superior, Neb.) led USD with seven tackles. Senior Tim Schellhammer (Chatfield, Minn.) had five tackles, including four tackles for loss and a quarterback sack.

Peru State was led offensively by quarterback Danny Burns, who completed 13-of-25 passes for 112 yards. Scott Beveridge hauled in five passes for 41 yards and Jared Gerdes had four receptions for 37 yards. T.J. Graham had seven rushes for 16 yards to lead the Bobcats. Stefawn Bradley had five tackles to lead the Peru State defense. Luke Johnson had an interception for the Bobcats.

USD's Beschorner Named NCC Offensive POW South Dakota junior quarterback Wesley Beschorner of Lohrville, Iowa, accounted for a career-best four TDs and was named the North Central Conference Offensive Player of the Week on August 31, according to an announcement by the league office. Beschorner had three TD passes and a four-yard scoring run to help lead South Dakota (1-0) to a 49-22 win over Truman State (0-1) at Kirksville, Mo.

Against Truman State, Beschorner completed 11 of 17 passes for 198 yards and had one interception. He also rushed for 18 yards. He completed scoring passes to Derek Gearman (88, 40 yards) and Paul Tschetter (7 yards). He also scored on a four-yard run in the second quarter. His 88-yard scoring pass play to Gearman set a USD game school record for longest pass play. The play broke the longest TD in school history held by Tom Engelman of 84 yards to Joe Trudeau vs. Idaho State in 1971. The combined four TDs by Beschorner was a career-best performance.

Nonconference Notes Since 1974, USD had a 41-24 record (324 games) vs. nonconference opponents, including a 29-16 record at home and 11-8 mark on the road. USD is 31-19 in nonconference matchups since 1980. The last time the Coyotes shut out a nonconference opponent occurred in the 1993 season opener vs. Northern State (59-0).

About MSU, Moorhead Head Coach Ralph Micheli Ralph Micheli begins his 12th as head coach at MSU Moorhead and 22nd overall as a collegiate coach. He has a 56-56-2 record overall at MSU Moorhead and 85-119-2 career mark. He ranks third all-time in wins for the Dragons. He won a share of the NSIC title in 1995 when Moorhead was 5-0-1 in league and earned a post-season playoff appearance. Previously, Micheli served as head coach at Lincoln High in Cambridge, Ind., in 1972. He served as a graduate assistant at Arkansas in 1974 and was an assistant football coach at Sul Ross State in 1976. Micheli was named head coach at Tarkio (Mo.) College in 1985 before taking the head job at MSU, Moorhead in 1993. He was named All-MIAC as a senior starting center at Macalester College in 1970. Micheli played a season of semi-professional football with the Joliet, Ind., Chargers before starting his coaching career. A native of Hammond, Ind., he received a B.S. degree from Macalester College in 1970; an M.S. degree from Indiana University NW in 1977; and an Ed.D. degree from Arkansas in 1976.

Notes on Dragons MSU Moorhead, which finished 3-8 and 2-6 for fifth in the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference (NSIC) a year ago, was picked to finish fifth in the 2004 Preseason NSIC Football Coaches Poll. Winona State was picked to win the NSIC. Moorhead has lost its first two games, being outscored, 107-19. The Dragons opened the season with a 77-12 setback to nationally ranked Northwest Missouri on the road. In game two, they fell to Concordia, Moorhead, 30-7, on Sept. 4.

Moorhead has averaged 84.5 yards rushing (169 yards) or 2.0 yards per carry. Through the air, the Dragons averaged 105.5 yards per game (211 yards). In total offense, they have 380 yards or 190 yards per game.

The Dragons' leading rusher is Tim Zupke, who has gained 76 yards on 14 carries, including a long of 40-yards. Bert Smith has 47 yards on 14 carries with a TD. Quarterback Sean Belmont has completed 17-of-38 passes with two TDs and three interceptions. Split end Dere Blackburn is the Dragon's leading receiver with nine receptions for 107 yards. Rolan Sessions III has five receptions for 51 yards and a TD. Smith has three receptions for 44 yards and a TD. A bright spot for the Dragons is Desmon Daniels, who has six kickoff returns for 161 yards or 26.8 per return. Punter Clint Greer is averaging 28.5 yards per kick. On defense, the Dragons have 15 tackles for loss (-66 yards) and four quarterback sacks (-39 yards). Matt Asuma leads Moorhead with 10 tackles, including 2.5 tackles for loss.

Last Week Concordia, Moorhead 30 MSU Moorhead 7 Concordia, Moorhead took a 30-7 decision over MSU Moorhead in Moorhead, Minn. Concordia was led by receiver Andy Passanante, who had seven receptions for 168 yards and a 35-yard TD reception in the first quarter. Tyler Anderson's 35-yard run gave Concordia a 27-0 lead in the third quarter. Concordia led 30-0 before Moorhead puts its points on the board when Rolan Sessions caught a five-yard TD pass from Sean Belmont with 1:08 to play in the third quarter. Belmont completed nine of 19 passes with a TD and two interceptions and also rushed for 25 yards on 14 carries. Tim Zupke had 24 yards on seven carries while Dere Blackburn caught four passes for 52 yards. Moorhead was outrushed by Concordia, 174 to 89 and 185 to 93 through the air. Moorhead had 182 yards in total offense and Concordia picked up 359.

About South Dakota Mikkelsen Closing in on All-time Reception Leaders Senior Chris Mikkelsen, named to the all-league squad as a special teams' performer in 2003, has had a quick start. He had seven receptions for 64 yards, which ranks him fourth in the NCC in receptions per game. As a result, Mikkelsen, a native of Gregory, S.D., has moved into second-place on USD's career receiving chart with 111 catches for 1,711 yards and nine TDs in his career. Last weekend, Mikkelsen passed Phillip Meehan, who had 108 catches for 1,153 yards and nine TDs from 1995-98. all-time leader Rod Tweet, who pulled in 140 catches for 2,557 yards and 16 TDs from 1982-85. In addition, Mikkelsen has six punt returns for 135 yards or 22.5 per return. He has punt returns of 68 and 39 yards this season. He ranks second in the NCC in punt return average and seventh in NCAA Division II. He also has two kick returns for 17 yards.

Pass Records Fall The 88-yard pass play from quarterback Wes Beschorner (Lohrville, Iowa) to Derek Gearman (Lennox, S.D.) in the third quarter vs. Truman State set a USD game record for longest pass and longest reception, previously held on an 84-yard pass play from Tom Engelman to Joe Trudeau against Idaho State in 1971.

Coyotes Unleash Big Play, Quick Strike Offense A breakdown of plays for South Dakota shows the offense displaying big play capability. In its first two games, the Coyotes have had 41 plays of 10 yards or more. Against Truman State, USD had 16 plays of over 10 yards. Among those plays was 11 runs of 10 yards and six rushes for better than 20 yards. USD had three pass plays over 30 yards. In game one, sophomore running back Travis Mlady (Bloomfield, Neb.) had runs of 38, 39, 20, 15, 13 and 11 yards. Sophomore Stefan Logan (Miami, Fla.), who had a streak of 100 yard rushing games snapped at six, had 79 yards rushing in the first half before leaving with a sprained ankle. While he was in the game, Logan had five runs or receptions of more than 11 yards, including a 21-yard run.

Against Peru State, USD had 25 plays or 10 yards or longer as well as four plays over 20 yards and two plays over 40 yards. Mlady had seven plays of 10 yards or longer (11, 46, 11, 12, 15, 18, 13). Stefan Logan had four plays over 10 yards (11, 14, 14, 10). Tight end Paul Tschetter had two plays over 10 yards (11 yard reception. Quarterback Wesley Beschorner, a junior from Lohrville, Iowa, had seven pass plays of over 10 yards.

Coyotes By the Numbers South Dakota has unleashed an explosive and quick strike offense this season. After two games, the Coyotes have 1,058 yards in total offense on just 122 plays or an average of 8.7 yards per play. USD has 635 yards rushing and 423 passing yards. The Coyotes average 529 yards in total offense per game. On the defensive side of the ball, USD has been stingy. The Coyote defense has limited opponents to 81 yards on 61 carries and has recorded -77 yards in loss. That translates to just 1.3 yards per rush and 40.5 rushing yards per game. Opponents have just 479 yards in total offense or 3.7 yards per play.

Mlady to get first career start Travis Mlady, a sophomore from Bloomfield, Neb., will get his first career start when the Coyotes host Minnesota State Moorhead on Saturday. Mlady, who had just 42 career yards rushing entering the 2004 season, has had back-to-back 150-yard-plus rushing games in a reserve role. In two games, Mlady has 27 rushes for 310 yards and three TDs, with his rushing total placing second in NCC rushing statistics after two games. He has averaged 11.5 yards per carry and is averaging 155 yards per game. Mlady rushed for 158 yards in the win over Truman State and 152 yards in the Peru State victory.

South Dakota Unveils Strong Rushing Attack One of the key reasons behind the Coyotes' 2-0 start is its rushing attack. The Coyotes are averaging 317.5 yards per game, including eight TDs on the ground. USD has 635 yards on 82 carries, or 7.7 yards per carry. Aside from Mlady's 310 yards, several other running backs are performing at a high level. Despite playing just half of each of the first two games, All-NCC running back Stefan Logan (Miami, Fla.) has accumulated 132 yards on just 14 carries, or 9.4 per tote. Sophomore running back Tyler Evans (Stewart, Minn.) has 98 yards rushing on 13 carries or 7.5 per carry. Evans has two rushing TDs. Quarterback Wes Beschorner has 17 carries for 63 yards and two rushing TDs. Also Darnell Pitts (Sioux City, Iowa) saw his first career action at USD in the game against Peru State. He had five carries for 27 yards or 5.4 yards per carry.

Beschorner Off to Quick Start Junior quarterback Wes Beschorner (Lohrville, Iowa) has had a quick start to the 2004 season and has been a prime reason for the Coyotes opening with a pair of wins. Beschorner has completed 20-of-31 passes for 336 yards with six TDs and two interceptions. He has a 206.53 efficiency ranking and has completed 64.5 percent of his passes. Beschorner's pass efficiency ranking places third in NCAA Division II. He is averaging 168.0 passing yards per game. In addition, as noted, he has 17 rushes for 63 yards and two rushing TDs. Beschorner leads USD with 399 yards in total offense on 48 plays. In NCC stats, Beschorner is second in the league in total offense, averaging 199.5 per game.

USD Utilizing Several Receivers Senior Chris Mikkelsen (Gregory, S.D.), who now ranks second all-time on the USD receiving chart with 111 catches, leads USD with seven catches for 64 yards. But he is just one of several players making a mark early in the 2004 season. Sophomore Derek Gearman (Lennox, S.D.), who is tied with Mlady for the USD scoring lead, has caught four passes for a team-high 179 yards and three touchdowns. Gearman has been a big play threat, catching a school-record 88-yard TD pass from Beschorner and also hauling in 43 and 40 yard TD passes. Gearman is averaging 44.8 yards per reception, which ranks first in the NCC. His 89.5 yards receiving per game also ranks first in the NCC. Senior tight end Paul Tschetter (Sioux Falls, S.D.) has four catches for 41 yards or 10.2 per catch. Tschetter has two TD receptions. Six other players have at least one reception as USD has rolled up 423 yards passing. USD is averaging 15.7 yards on 27 receptions as a team.

Luke Mikkelsen Leads NCC in Punting In his first season as the USD punter, sophomore Luke Mikkelsen (Gregory, S.D.) has continued the Coyotes' success booting the ball. Mikkelsen is averaging 45.2 yards per kick with 271 yards on six punts, including a long of 54 yards. He has placed three punts inside the 20-yard line. Mikkelsen is leading the NCC in punt average.

Butler Continues to Shine as Placekicker Senior Cody Butler (Hastings, Neb.) is one of the nation's best field goal kickers. But through games, he has yet to attempt a field goal. However Butler is third on the team in scoring by connecting on 15-of-15 extra point kicks. Butler is third in the NCC in scoring with 15 points and leads the league in PAT percentage (1.000).

Hedden Leads Defense Sophomore Ryan Hedden (Fairmont, Neb.) is leading the Coyotes on defense, totaling 13 tackles, including two tackles for loss, a quarterback sack and a pass breakup. He is 12th in the NCC in tackles. Senior linebacker Mike Meekins (Superior, Neb.) is second on the team with 11 tackles and a pass breakup. Senior defensive end Tim Schellhammer (Chatfield, Minn.) has nine tackles, including 3.5 tackles for loss and a quarterback sack. Schellhammer ranks fifth in the league in tackles for loss with 1.75 per game.

Scoring by Quarter South Dakota has shown balanced scoring this season. USD has outscored opponents, 21-7, in the first quarter, 35-7 in the second quarter, 21-0 in the third quarter and 28-8 in the fourth quarter.

South Dakota Faring Well in D-II Statistics The Coyotes are ranked high in several statistical categories, according to statistics released this week by the NCAA. In team categories, USD ranks fifth in rushing offense (317.5 per game), fifth in scoring (52.5 points per game), sixth in total offense (529.0 yards per game), and ninth in rushing defense (40.5 yards per game). USD is also 20th in scoring defense (11.0 points per game). Individually, Wes Beschorner is third in passing efficiency (206.5) while Travis Mlady is 10th in rushing (155.0 per game). Chris Mikkelsen is seventh in punt returns (22.5 yards per return).

USD Leads NCC in 11 Team Categories After two games, USD leads the conference in 11 team categories, including scoring offense (52.5 per game); scoring defense (11.0 per game); punting (35.3 net average); rushing offense (317.5 per game); rushing defense (40.5 per game); total offense (529.0 yards per game); pass efficiency (195.8); sacks (8 for -46 yards); sacks against (1 for 10 yards); PAT kicking (15-15, 1.000 pct.); and opponent fourth down conversions (0-3, .000 percent). Individually, Derek Gearman leads in receiving yards per game (89.5). Wes Beschorner leads the league in pass efficiency (206.5) while kicker Cody Butler is first in PAT conversions (15-15, 1.000 percent) and Luke Mikkelsen leads in punting (45.2 per punt). Travis Mlady is second in rushing yards per game (155.0) while Beschorner is second in total offense at 199.5 per game. Chris Mikkelsen is second in punt return average (22.5 per game).

NCAA Division II Playoffs Expanded During July, the NCAA Division II Management Council gave formal approval to expand national championship fields in seven sports, five this season. The football playoff field expands from 16 to 24 teams. The national playoff field of teams will be split into four regions. Six teams from those regions will earn berths, while the top two teams in each region will receive first-round byes. The NCC schools are grouped in a region with the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference, the Great Lakes Conference and several independent schools from the west.

Eight Individuals Will be Inducted into the Henry Heider Coyote Sports Hall of Fame on Sept. 11 Eight individuals with connections to The University of South Dakota will inducted into the Henry Heider Coyote Sports Hall of Fame on Saturday, Sept. 11 on the campus of USD.

The inductees include Courtney Clayborne, athlete/track and field, Rapid City, S.D.; Jenny Girard Clifford, athlete/softball, Hanson, Mass.; Susan Walsh Denevan, athlete/tennis, Sioux Falls, S.D.; John Lillibridge, athlete/special contributor, Burke, S.D.; Chul Schwanke, athlete/football, Burnsville, Minn.; Mike Slaton, athlete/football, San Diego, Calif.; Rod Tweet, athlete/football, McKinney, Texas; Diane Lutz Wilquet, athlete/women's basketball, Appleton, Wisc. With the induction of these individuals the Coyotes Sports Hall of Fame will have 217 members.

The eight individuals will be honored at a brunch/induction ceremony at 11 a.m. on Sept. 11 at the Commons Dining Hall on the USD campus. The induction ceremony will begin at approximately 11:45 with the honorees also honored during halftime of the Coyotes' game with Minnesota State, Moorhead. Tickets are $15 and may be purchased by calling 605-677-5309.

South Dakota Sports Hall of Fame Inductees Courtney Clayborne, Track and Field (1981-86) Clayborne, originally of Rapid City, S.D., is generally regarded as one of the top sprinters in school history. Now an attorney in Rapid City, Clayborne won three straight NCC indoor 500-meter titles from 1984-86. In 1984, he had a clocking of 1:04.19; 1:03.43 in 1985 and 1:04.65 in 1986 in the 500-meter dash. He was a member of the 1600-meter relay NCC outdoor champs in 1981 (3:19.07), 1985 (3:19.90) and 1986 (3:15.10). Clayborne was also a member of the 1985 NCC Indoor 1600-meter relay champs (3:18.72). He won the 400-meter title outdoors in 1985 (48.99). Clayborne earned a Bachelor of Science Degree from USD in 1986. He also received his law degree from USD in 1989.

Jenny Girard Clifford, Softball (1984-89) Originally of Lincoln, Neb., Girard Clifford was selected All-NCC in both 1986 and 1988. Girard Clifford was named Academic All-NCC in 1988.A standout shortstop, Girard frequently reached base and was an outstanding defensive player. She hit .346, led the league in runs scored and was sixth in hits in the NCC in 1988. She earned a bachelor of arts degree in education in from USD in 1989. Gifford Clifford is currently the 6th-8th grade physical education Middle School in Hanson, Mass. For two years, she was head softball coach at NCAA Division II Stonehill College and currently serves as the junior varsity basketball coach at Whitman-Hanson Regional High School.

Susan Walsh Denevan, Women's Tennis (1985-89) A native of Sioux Falls, S.D., Walsh Denevan was the 1985 No. 1 singles champ in the North Central Conference (6-2, 6-1) while starring for South Dakota. She also was second at the NCC championships in 1986. Twice, she advanced to NCAA Championships. She dropped a first round match at the 1985 NCAA Championships at Bakersfield, Calif. She also advanced to the 1986 NCAA championships at Northridge, Calif., losing a first round match. Walsh prepped at O'Gorman High School. She lives in Sioux Falls, S.D., where she is a recreational therapist for Avera Health. She earned a Bachelor of Science Degree in recreation in 1989 from USD.

John Lillibridge, Special contributor/Athlete (1960-62) Lillibridge serves as the chairman of the board for the First Fidelity Bank in Burke, S.D., and has worked for the bank since 1962. A two-sport standout at South Dakota from 1960-62, he transferred to USD after spending a year at Washington State. At USD, he lettered two-years in basketball. In track, he lettered three years (1960, 1961, 1962). A standout thrower, Lillibridge placed third as a sophomore, finished second as a junior and won the North Central Conference discus title as a senior. Lillibridge, who placed second in the NCAA Division II national meet in the discus, earned All-American honors. A graduate of the USD School of Business in 1962, he has received the USD School of Business South Dakotan of the Year, the USD Alumni Award and the South Dakota Philanthropist of the Year honor. He has been a major supporter of Coyote Athletics for many years. He held State of South Dakota, Howard Wood Dakota Relays and USD records in the discus. A prep star at Burke, he was first-team all-state in basketball as a junior and senior, scoring a school record 1,631 points. Lillibridge was named to the fourth team of the Sport Magazine High School All-American squad. He also won a state title in the discus in high school. Lillibridge has served on the Board of Director for the Fellowship of Christian Athletes, including a term as treasurer. He also was the Mayor, a City Council member, and served on the School Board for the city of Burke.

Chul Schwanke, Football (1982-85) Schwanke left South Dakota as arguably the greatest running back in school history. He is the Coyotes career rushing leader with 3,427 yards on 753 attempts and 24 TDs. He is also the career all-purpose yardage leader with 4,449 yards, including 475 receiving yards and 547 kickoff return yards. Schwanke ranks eighth in career total offense with 3,643 yards on 757 attempts. An All-NCC selection in both 1983 and 1985, Schwanke was selected All-American in 1985. An honorable mention All-NCC selection in 1984, he led the NCC in rushing in 1983 with 859 yards on 200 carries in eight league games and left USD as the NCC's career rushing leader with 2,557 yards. Schwanke, who was featured in a Sports Illustrated article in 1985, averaged 107.4 per game and 4.3 per carry during his career. As a junior, he had 989 yards rushing. Schwanke was a member of the 1985 Coyote football squad that advanced to the NCAA Division II semifinals. He was one of two Coyotes selected in the 1986 NFL draft (Mike Slaton). He was selected in the 10th round by the Los Angeles Rams. Now living in Burnsville, Minn., Schwanke is a social worker for the Minneapolis School System. He totaled 3,000 yards rushing and 36 touchdowns in three seasons at Hutchinson (Minn.) High. He earned a Bachelor of Science Degree from USD in 1993.

Rod Tweet, Football (1982-85) Rod Tweet, originally of Madison, S.D. but grew up in Austin, Minn., earned honorable mention Associated Press All-American honors in 1985. A first-team All-NCC pick in 1985, Tweet was a second-team all-league selection in 1985 and earned honorable mention all-league honors in 1983. Tweet owns eight school records, including career catches with 140 catches and 2,557 yards receiving (32 games). He is tied with Roger Larson (1967-69) and Dwight Duncombe (1972-74) with 16 career touchdowns. His 10 touchdown catches in a season is a school record. His other records include catches in a season (53), and average yards per game (79.2), single season reception yards (1,086), and consecutive games with a reception (22). A member of the 1985 Coyotes' team that advanced to the NCAA Division II national semifinals, he had 40 receptions for 602 yards and 10 touchdowns as a senior. He also had 53 receptions for 869 yards and five touchdowns in 1983 and had 47 catches for a school record 1,086 yards and one touchdown in 1984, when he was 22nd in the NCAA Division II receiving rankings. He is the only 1,000-yard receiver in school history. Following his senior season, he was signed as a free agent by the Atlanta Falcons of the NFL. He now lives in McKinney, Texas, where he serves as a recreation superintendent for the city. Tweet earned a pair of degrees from USD including a Bachelor of Science Degree in recreation in 1987 and a Master's Degree in health, physical education and recreation in 1993.

Mike Slaton, Football (1982-85) Mike Slaton, originally of Bellevue, Neb., was named All-North Central Conference in 1984 and 1985. Slaton ranks seventh all-time in career interceptions at USD with 11 for 160 yards and two TDs. His six interceptions in 1983 still ranks as the seventh best single season total in school history. As a senior, he had 38 tackles, including 13 solos, fumble recovery, seven pass breakups, one tackle for loss, and two interceptions for 54 yards and a TD. He helped lead South Dakota to the NCAA Division II national semifinals during 1985. In 1983, Slaton had a team-high 111 tackles, including six interceptions while starting all 11 games at free safety as a sophomore. He earned honorable mention all-league honors. In 1984, he had a team-high 85 tackles, including 26 solos, a fumble recovery, 11 pass breakups and three interceptions for 14 yards. Slaton, now living in San Diego, Calif., was one of two Coyotes picked in the 1986 NFL draft (Chul Schwanke). Slaton earned a Bachelor of Science Degree in business from USD. He was drafted by the Minnesota Vikings in the ninth round of the 1985 NFL draft. He played quarterback at Bellevue West High School, earning all-league and all-state honors.

Diane Lutz Wilquet, Women's Basketball (1984-89) Now living in Appleton, Wisc., Diane Lutz Wilquet ranks as one of the all-time greats in women's basketball history at South Dakota. A 6'1 point guard, she earned All-North Central Conference twice, despite a severe knee injury early in her sophomore season. As a freshman she was All-NCC in 1985-86, helping lead USD to an 18-10 record and 9-5 NCC mark. She again earned all-league honors in 1988-89, leading USD in scoring at 14.9 per game, free throw percentage (82.1 percent), blocked shots (1.10 per game) and three point shooting (35.5 percent). In both 1985-86 and 1988-89, she was named to the Academic All-NCC squad. Lutz Wilquet is a member of USD's 1,000-point club with 1,009 points, which is 16th on the USD career scoring list. She is also eighth in career assists with 262 and third in career blocked shots with 68 at USD. Her 32 blocked shots in 1988-89 is the fifth best seasonal total in school history. She earned a Bachelor of Science Degree from USD in 1989.