The Jacks (7-2, 3-2) head down to Vermillion to take on the Coyotes (6-4, 4-2) in what is basically a must win for both teams. 8 wins is typically the cut-off for MVFC teams to make the playoffs. USD would need to win out while SDSU needs to win 1 more in their next three. It’s a tough 3 game stretch for the Jackrabbits.
Offense
The Coyote offense has been stuck in low gear all season long as they are averaging just 22.3 points per game. They are rushing for 185.1 ppg and passing for 168.8. They hold the ball for over 31 minutes per game and are converting on 40% of their 3rd down opportunities. In the redzone they have scored on 27 of 30 opportunities with just 17 being of the touchdown variety. They have lost 3 fumbles (out of 10), tossed 5 interceptions, and allowed 13 sacks.
#2 Aidan Bouman (6-5, 225) decided to return for one more season. He has been a terrific passer in his career at USD but this season something is just not clicking whether it is a new group of skill players or an offensive line that took some time to gel. However, Aidan still has a great arm and has passed for 1,685 yards and 12 TDs while completing 58% of his passes. He made it through October without tossing an interception but did toss 5 in September.
The Yotes lost pre-season All-American Charles Pierre to a knee injury but #24 LJ Phillips (5-9, 225) has stepped up and is 3rd in the country in rushing with 1,296 yards (6.3 ypc) and 12 TDs. He is also a very capable receiver out of the backfield and he has 22 receptions for 166 yards. The yotes have been searcing for a capable second back but have utilized both Texas transfer#5 Reid Watkins (5-11, 200) and true freshman #33 Carson Fletcher (5-10, 215) in that role. Watkins has 222 yards (4.5 ypc) on 49 attempts and Fletcher has 221 yards (4.8 ypc) and a TD off of 46 attempts.
The receiving room is led by the speedy #1 Larenzo Fenner (6-0, 185) who is in his first real season of seeing the field. He has 24 receptions for 570 yards (23.75 yard avg) and 7 TDs. The Jackrabbit secondary has struggled mightily with explosive plays this season so limiting Fenner’s impact in the passing game has to be a HUGE key to victory. The other top weapon is veteran #15 Jack Martens (5-11, 195) who is second on the team in yards with 286 off of 19 receptions. He also has two TDs. #6 Tysen Boze (6-4, 205) has 10 receptions for 91 yards and #9 Tannel Bryant (5-7, 170) is a big play threat with 7 receptions for 132 yards (18.86 ypc). The tight ends are #89 Zach Witte (6-6, 255) and #83 Jesse Miller (6-6, 255). Witte has 13 receptions for 108 yards and 2 TDs while Miller has 15 receptions for 106 yards and 1 TD. It’s a solid duo!
The offensive line looks pretty different for the Coyotes after this group was hit hard by the transfer portal during spring ball last season. This group has improved throughout the season and is still moving bodies on the ground. From left to right they go:
LT: #74 Almarion Crim (6-2, 300, SR): Transfer from Chattanooga, started all 10 games this season.
LG: #68 Sam Kohls (6-4, 300, SR): Roosevelt HS grad. Started 21 games for the Yotes.
C: #58 Wyatt Lawson (6-2, 300, SR): Transfer from Florida International, started all 10 games this season.
RG: #76 Brock Woolf (6-5, 290, SO): Transfer from Kasas State, making his 9th start of the season.
RT: #75 Jacob Arop (6-6, 300, RFr): Was a 4 star recruit out of the Omaha area.
Defense
Even though they lost a ton of good players from this group, the Coyote defense has still been pretty good in 2025! They allow just 25.8 points per game and its even better than that if you take away the opening week loos to Iowa State (55 points) and NDSU (51 points). Teams are rushing for 148 yards per game and passing for 202. The Yotes do allow opponents to convert on 43% of 3rd down opportunities and in the redzone opponents have scored 35 out of 40 times; 27 being touchdowns. The yotes have recovered 3 fumbles, intercepted 6 passes, and registered 14 sacks on the season. The Yotes play an attacking 3-4 defense.
Upfront, USD was really bolstered when #52 Mosai Newsom (6-5, 320) was granted another year of eligibility in August. He is obviously a huge man and he is very active for a nose. He has 26 total tackles, 3.5 TFL, and 2 sacks. He is joined by #50 Chris Dixon (6-2, 310) who has 52 total tackles, 4 TFL, 1.5 sacks, and 4 PBU. At end, the starter is Iowa transfer #10 Caden Crawford (6-4, 265) and he has also been really productive with 59 total tackles, 9 TFL, 3.5 sacks, 1 PBU, and 1 QBH. #95 Carter Hooper is the top end sub and he has 14 tackles and 2 sacks. On the interior #92 Bradley McGannon (6-4, 295) and #46 Nathan Laperi (6-3, 260) have combined for 20 stops as key reserves. The Yotes 3/4 has a “rush” linebacker and that is #8 Nyle Dickel (6-3, 250). He has 40 total tackles and a half sack along with 4 QBHs.
The Will linebacker for USD is #0 Nate Ewell (6-2, 230) who also received a surprise extra year of eligibility and he is making the most of it. He is tied for the team lead with 63 tackles, has 1 TFL, 3 PBU and 1 QBH. In the middle is #3 Gabriel Hardman (5-10, 230) who is 3rd on the team with 61 total tackles, 4 TFL, 1 sack, and 1 PBU. The final guy is #13 Matt Walsh (6-2, 220) and he has 60 total tackles, .5 sack, 2 INT, 3 PBU, 2 QBH, and a forced fumble. #49 Wade Abrams (6-0, 235) is in the weird position of not being a starter but being a team captain. He has 43 total tackles and 2 TFL as the reserve Mike.
In the secondary, USD starts #12 Mikey Munn (6-1, 190) and #25 Rulian Stewart (6-0, 180) at cornerback. Munn has 42 total tackles, 3 TFL, 3 INT, 8 PBU, and 1 forced fumble. Steward has 43 total tackles, 1 INT, and 3 PBU. These two must never leave the field because no other corner on the roster has more than 4 tackles. The starting free safety is #1 Roman Tilmon (6-0, 195) and he is tied for the team lead in tackles with 63. He also has 4 PBU, a forced fumble, and QBH. Opposite him is the strong safety #2 DeJuan Lewis (5-10) and he has 45 total tackles and 2 forced fumbles. #17 Ashton Paine (6-1, 195) and #21 Jaden Brown (5-9, 175) have combined for 15 tackles as reserve safeties.
Special Teams
The USD special teams has been pretty solid this year. Like the Jackrabbits, they have an incredible punter in #32 Tyler Ebel (6-4, 235). He is averaging 45 yards per punt and has a long of 66. On 37 attempts he’s only had 4 touchbacks, forced 14 to be faircaught, landed 13 inside the 20 and had 12 travel 50+ yards. He’s good! However, teams have had some success in the return game with 7 returns for a 27.29 yard average including a long of 66. In the kicking game, #39 Zeke Mata handles the kickoffs and distance field goals and #15 Will Leyland handles the rest of the field goals. Mata has a 61.3 yard average on 45 kicks with just 9 being touchbacks. Opponents have had some success with kick returns averaging 23 yards per return with a long of 52 yards. On field goals, Mata is 2 for 3 and both of his makes came from 50+ yards with a long of 58. Leyland has gone 11 for 13 with a long of 44. His two misses have come between 40 and 49 yards.
In the return game, true freshman #85 Brayden White (5-11, 180) has brought some explosiveness and he has a 31 yard kick return average on just 5 returns with a long of 66 yards. As a punt returner, #15 Jack Martens hasn’t done much on his 6 attempts. He actually has zero net yards with a long of 5.
Prediction
This will be a low scoring game that won’t be decided until the 4th quarter. Limiting turnovers on offense and limiting USDs explosive plays on defense will be absolutely key for a Jackrabbit victory.
Jackrabbits 20- Coyotes 17
Go Jacks!
Matt
