Game Preview: University of South Dakota
Bob Nielson is at the helm for his 3rd season with the Yotes. He's a good coach that supposedly spurned an FBS offer in 2017 to stay with the USD. I still think he will get USD turned around but the team certainly needs a dose of self-discipline as their games have been marred by silly penalties and antics that distract from the success of the team. They are coming off a big win against WIU that ended a four game skid. They played Kansas State tough in the season opener but have not replicated that type of performance since.
Offense
USD is not the dynamic offense they were in 2017 when Chris Streveler was at the helm. They are still very capable of moving the ball through the air (285 ypg) but have struggled with the ground (122.9) game in 2018. They are still scoring some points (26.7) but with a leaky defense it hasn't resulted in more wins.
At quarterback, USD replaces Chris Streveler with #3 Austin Simmons. I think most Coyote fans would say that he has been "good" in 2018. Like most quarterbacks, he does not like pressure in his face but he is very tough having taken 33 sacks this season. Simmons has passed for 2829 yards and 16 TD's vs. 7 interceptions while maintaining a 61% completion rate but it is his willingness to tuck the ball and run that has made him a challenge for opposing defenses. On the season he has 488 yards (before sacks) and 3 TD's. He's a good athlete that has the ability to hit the home run either through the air or on the ground.
Simmons has a number of capable receivers to sling the ball to but the group is lead by #82 Dakarai Allen who has enjoyed a breakout year. He has 48 receptions for 703 yards and 5 TD's, all of which lead USD. He has great hands and has made a couple of incredible catches this season. #88 Levi Falck (43 rec, 471 yards, 2 TD's) #13 Shamar Jackson (33, 443, 1), #83 Caleb Vander Esch (19, 154, 1), and #6 Kody Case (13, 128) all keep opposing secondaries on their heals. They possess a nice balance of size, speed, and quickness. This will be a big test for the Jackrabbit secondary. In addition to a talented group of wide receivers, they also have two legit tight ends. #87 Connor Herrmann and #81 Brett Samson have reeled in 31 total catches and over 325 yards. To slow this passing game down will take a very good effort from the SDSU defense.
The run game for the Coyotes has been a different story in 2018. Outside of the success of Simmons, USD has used #2 Kai Henry and #30 Ben Klett. Henry is a shifty runner who has ran for 472 yards and 7 TD's while Klett is more of a hammer who has 275 yards and 3 TD on the season. Henry is also a threat in the passing game having hauled in 20 receptions. #25 Canaan Brooks is a freshman that the USD faithful are excited about. He has seen more action in recent weeks and will likely be used again this week. USD doesn't use a full back in their offense. USD comes in only averaging 3.2 yards per carry so it isn't their strong suit. However, in their past three games they have rushed for 179 yards compared to their season average of 122.9. Maybe they are improving or rededicating to it.
The offensive line is the unit that has struggled the most for the Coyotes in 2018. They returned a few players with lots of experience but it just hasn't all jelled this season. From left to right they go #76 Nick Jensen (6-7, 295) SR, #72 Mason Scheidegger (6-5, 325) SO, #68 Tyler Ciurej (6-4, 310) SO, #65 Braden Schneider (6-6, 290) R-FR, and #73 Cody Jennings (6-5, 290) SR. This is a big group but they haven't been able to create much movement in the run game and have struggled in pass protection having given up 33 sacks including 5 last week against WIU.
Defense
The defense for USD has been inconsistent at best. On the season they have allowed 32.7 points per game but last week against a good WIU offense they only allowed 12 points. They have plenty of playmakers with experience but they are probably still a little undersized to control MVFC offenses week in and week out.
They come in allowing 200 rushing yards per game and 224 passing yards per game. They have 18 sacks, have forced 17 turnovers, and have held opponents to a 37% conversion rate on 3rd down. On tape, they struggle both against the run and the pass. They can play fast but seem to get confused with run gap assignments and in coverage assignments.
The defense is lead by an experienced and talented group of linebackers in #20 Alex Coker (51 tackles, 1 sack, 7 PBUs) , #22 Alex Gray ( 81 tackles, 2 sacks, 1 INT), and #39 Jack Cochrane (75 tackles, 1 forced fumble). #5 Brian Woodward is the lone backup who receives much playing time. He checks in with 32 tackles, 1 sack, and 1 PBU. The group is very experienced so we'll see what Coach Eidsness draws up to confuse this trio.
The best player on the Coyote defense is #44 Darin Greenfield. He is a very skilled pass rusher and plays with a high motor. He plays through the whistle and I think could be labeled as chippy. On the season he has 6 sacks, 55 tackles, and 13.5 tackles for loss. Evan Greeneway will again have his hands full with an excellent pass rusher. It seems like there is no week off in the Valley for quality pass rushers but Greeneway has been up to the challenge. Opposite Greenfield is #95 Nick Kramer who has 2 sacks and 17 stops. In the middle the Yotes have #93 Luis Peguero and #51 Jacob Headlee, one of the few South Dakotan's that "South Dakota's team" has on the roster. Peguero and Headlee have combined for 39 tackles and Peguero has 2 sacks. They are undersized but play with good effort. #90 Jackson Coker comes in with 13 tackles and provides depth in the interior.
They secondary is beatable and somewhat inexperienced after losing most of their contributors from 2018. #29 Isaac Armstead is back and has contributed 13 tackles but has played in just 5 games. Opposite him is freshman #17 Cameron Tisdale who has 29 tackles and 3 PBU. #14 Michael Fredrick, a former running back, now provides the depth at corner along with #24 Mark Collins Jr. Together they have made 52 tackles and each have an interception. I'm interested to see how they choose to defend Adam Anderson and Cade Johnson. The safety group is lead by #9 Andrew Gray who has seemingly been making plays forever for USD. The senior has made 31 consecutive starts for USD and is third on the team with 74 tackles and 2 interceptions this season. He is paired with #4 Elijah Reed who has 54 tackles and 3 PBUs. #2 Mike Johnson, an Iowa State transfer, has contributed with 29 tackles.
Special Teams
The Coyotes have a good duo at kicker and punter. After a rough start to the season #31 Mason Lorber has gone 12-17 on his field goals but has been perfect the last 5 games and has a long of 39 yards. #34 Ethan James is now a senior and is in charge of the kickoffs. He is averaging just 55.4 yards per kick with just 7 touchbacks so returns are likely. I'm interested to see if Cade Johnson continues as the Jackrabbits kick returner. The punt duties belong to #15 Brady Schutt and he is a good one! He has a 43.2 yard average with only 3 touchbacks and has landed 13 inside the 20 and forced 25 fair catches.
The kickoff returner for USD is Kai Henry and Kody Case has handled the punt return duties. This group has been really hit by injury so Henry and Case have stepped in and done a good job. Case had two returns last week for 26 yards. Henry has a 28 yard average on just 7 attempts.
Prediction
Rivalry games are tough to predict. Saturday looks dry and cold in Brookings so it could be challenging to air it out. SDSU's strengths (balanced offense and defensive line) seem to align with USD's weaknesses (offensive line & uneven defense). However, USD's season has been a flop and nothing would make Vermillion happier than if they could knock off the Jackrabbits. Vegas has the Jacks as 20 point favorites but I don't see how it becomes that lopsided. I'm predicting the Jacks win 34-24 in a game that is close the whole way through.
Go Jacks!
Matt
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