SIU sneaks into the playoffs and heads to the DakotaDome to face MVFC foe South Dakota.
The Coyotes went 7-4 this season and 5-3 in the MVFC and had wins over Northern Iowa and South Dakota State and a loss to Illinois State.
The Coyotes are coached by Bob Nielson in his 6th season as head coach at South Dakota. Nielson was a long-time head coach in the lower levels of college football before being hired at Western Illinois in 2013. He turned around the Leatherneck program and led them to a 7-6 season in 2015 and a playoff appearance. He then left to take over South Dakota the next season.
Meet the Coyotes
The Coyotes are middle of the pack in the MVFC in points per game on offense (5th with 28.5 PPG) and middle of the pack in points allowed per game (5th with 20.5 points allowed per game). South Dakota is 4th in the MVFC in rushing yards per game (176.2) and 7th in passing yards per game (203.9). The Coyotes are 4th best in the MVFC in rushing yards allowed per game (116.1) and the 6th best in the MVFC in passing yards allowed per game (222.1). South Dakota averages the most yards per return on kickoffs this season in the MVFC (27.9 yards per return and a TD). They're also 2nd in the MVFC in yards per return on punts (10.5 yards per return and a TD). South Dakota was the 2nd least penalized team in the MVFC this season behind North Dakota (39.4 penalty yards per game).
South Dakota's starting QB is 6'3 Sophomore Carson Camp from Bloomington, IL. Camp was named to the MVFC All-Newcomer team in preseason last year and became the first true Freshman in South Dakota history to start a season opener at quarterback. This season, Camp has thrown for 2,050 yards and 17 passing touchdowns and only 4 interceptions.
The Coyotes have used 2 main running backs this season, one of which is 5'11 Redshirt Sophomore Travis Theis. Theis has 145 carries this season for 653 rushing yards and 7 rushing touchdowns. 5'8 Freshman Nate Thomas from South Holland, IL has also been getting carries for the Coyotes. Thomas has 102 rushing attempts for 655 rushing yards and 5 rushing touchdowns.
The best receiver for the Coyotes this season has been 5'10 Redshirt Sophomore Carter Bell. Bell has 40 catches this season for 648 receiving yards and 5 receiving touchdowns.
On the defensive side, 6'3 Senior Jack Cochrane leads the team in tackles with 92 total. 6'4 Redshirt Sophomore Nick Gaes leads the Coyotes in tackles for losses with 10 and sacks with 7.
Massey Ratings:
Massey Ratings predicts a 30-27 South Dakota victory and gives SIU a 42% chance of winning.
Links:
USD Coyotes Sports Message Board
SIU Players/Nick Hill React to Selection Show 11/21
Nick Hill Radio Interview with Gene Green 11/21
Nick Hill Press Conference 11/22
This will be a difficult matchup. They are a good running team. Our D will have to get back to flying around making plays. Haven’t seen that for a few weeks. The offense will have to score in the red zone. It would be nice to put together long drives to keep D off the field. That hasn’t happened much lately. Hopefully not thinking we would get in will be a wake up call to the team. New Life!!
New life is right! Looking forward to seeing the game and hoping they get back to playing their best football, won't be easy but I really think they can win if at their best
Sorry, I don't have much hope for this one. Something is way off for this team recently and the lack of discipline as seen by some silly/needless fouls is just one obvious symptom. Hope I am wrong, but a promising start of at the beginning of the season has not ended up where I thought we would be come playoff time. Will Hill continue to roll the dice on those 4th down calls or play a more traditional strategy?
Something to look forward to on Saturday. No reason why SIU can’t make this a good game. The talent within the receiving core alone needs to be shown.
After watching basketball tonight, let’s see some Saluki greatness on the football field.
Give us another week, Dawgs. 🤜
Something to look forward to on Saturday. No reason why SIU can’t make this a good game. The talent within the receiving core alone needs to be shown.
After watching basketball tonight, let’s see some Saluki greatness on the football field.
Give us another week, Dawgs. 🤜
Let's hope the basketball laid the only Saluki egg this weekend and we got it out of the way. 😁
How is everyone doing today? 😂😂😂
All things are possible. Checking my health insurance options in case SIU wins this game.
Hoping that we are able to establish the run today. Would like to see use control the time of possession using all of our backs. Less Baker, more of our talented RBs. Get creative Nick!
Nice start, now take advantage of the turnover.
South Dakota drives to midfield on their first drive but SIU gets a pick!
Lol, the announcer just said he likes Bakers decision making…hahahaha
Anyone know where SD finished in the league on Defense?
Haha now the ESPN crew states Javon can’t pass…
