The Jackrabbits (7-0) hit the road for the second week in a row to take on the University of South Dakota Coyotes (6-1). Since moving up the FCS, the Coyotes have rarely had this strong of a record at this point in the season. They are a legitimate title contenders and are a top-10 team in the country in most reputable polls. Furthermore, USD always plays SDSU well in the Dakota Dome.

Bob Nielson is leading the team for his 8th season in Vermillion. He is a winner and seems to have finally turned around this squad. USD had a ton of turnover from last years staff and the biggest addition is probably at offensive coordinator where Jackrabbit legend, Josh Davis, has stepped in to guide the offense. The Coyotes are playing sound complimentary football and have quality wins over NDSU, and YSU to their credit.

Offense

The Yote offense is balanced behind an improved offensive line, steady quarterback play, and a powerful running game. They are averaging 27.5 ppg, 154.5 yards per game rushing (4.7 per carry), and 196.5 yards per game passing. This offense is very good and very balanced. They are also good at taking care of the ball with just 1 INT and 3 fumbles lost so far this year. On 3rd down they have an okay 40% conversion rate. They have scored in the redzone on 16 of 16 visits, 12 of the TD variety. One thing to note about the Yotes offense is that they THRIVE off of explosive plays. Against NDSU and YSU, it won them the game and against Indiana State this past week, it sealed the victory.

The Yote offense is led by the talented southpaw, #2 Aidan Bouman (6-5, 245). The Iowa State transfer has really played well in his first season as the full-time starter completing 71% of his passes for 1,179 ards and 10 TDs. As mentioned earlier, he has tossed just 1 INT. Bouman isn’t fleet of foot and has just 38 gross rushing yards on the season. What makes him tough to sack is the quick play design and the fact that he has the size and strength to shrug off smaller defenders. He’s a good player and should not be underestimated!

Joining Bouman in the backfield are a pack of very talented running backs. The group is led by #5 Travis Theis (5-11, 210) who has 462 yards (4.9 ypc) and 4 TDs on the year. He is also a threat out of the backfield where he has 9 receptions for 41 yards. What I think everyone appreciates about Theis, is how hard he runs and the physicality he brings to the table. The next guy up on the depth chart is #28 Nate Thomas (5-9, 205) who missed all of last season with a knee injury. He has struggled with injuries this fall and has played sparingly the past three weeks. Thomas had a huge game against Lamar, rushing for 164 yards and 2 TDs on 19 carries. In the last meeting in the Dakota Dome, Thomas was running over Jackrabbit defenders right and left. Outside of the Lamar game, Thomas has 93 yards and 2 TD this year. #3 Charles Pierre Jr. (5-10, 195) is a redshirt freshman who has really impressed this season. He has 106 yards (4.6 ypc) and 2 TD in just 23 carries. Pierre is also good as a receiver where he has 6 receptions for 35 yards. #7 Mike Mansaray (5-10, 205) is another talented back who has struggled with injuries.

When Bouman drops back to pass he has some talented playmakers at his disposal. The group is led by #14 Carter Bell (5-10, 180) who has made a bunch of explosive plays for the Yotes. He had a frustrating 2022 season but it is clear that Coach Davis wants to get him the ball in 2023. He has 22 receptions for 405 yards (18.4 YPC) and 4 TD. The next leading receiver, #15 Jack Martens (5-11, 190), missed last weeks game against Indiana State but is not far behind Bell in production with 20 receptions for 259 yards and 1 TD. His status for this week is unknown. #8 Javion Phelps (6-3, 200) and #1 Tristan Michaud (6-6, 215) are other wide receivers who will see action. Phelps has 5 receptions for 110 yards with a long of 48 yards. Michaud, an Iowa State transfer, was really hyped up over the summer but has just 5 receptions for 57 yards. His size is certainly intriguing.

At tight end, #82 JJ Galbreath (6-4, 240) is having an outstanding season with 16 receptions for 228 yards and 4 TD. He is a matchup problem given his size and speed combination. We know that Coach Davis knows how to use the TE position and Galbreath is certainly seeing an uptick in usage this year. #96 Jake Hagy (6-4, 255) is more of a blocking tight end and from what I have seen on tape, he does a good job! He has 2 receptions for 9 yards.

The offensive line is where USD has probably improved the most this season. This group has had good size for a number of years but it appears the lumps they took last season, have paid off. Under new coaching it looks like their technique has improved and they are playing together as a group. From left to right they go #71 Joe Cotton (6-7, 310, RFr), #68 Sam Kohls (6-4, 325, So), #76 Joey Lombard (6-5, 315, Jr), #66 Isaac Erbes (6-5, 310, Sr) and #65 Caden Ellingson (6-7, 310, So). Again, this group has allowed just 4 sacks on the year and has paved the way for a 4.7 ypc average on the ground. Those are certainly winning numbers.

Defense

We knew the Coyote defense would be a strength heading into the season. They have stars at every level and if they managed to stay healthy (something they were unable to do in 2022) that this group would be really good. Opponents are averaging just 16.3 ppg, 141.8 rushing yards per game, and 185.2 yards passing per game. Opponents do convert on 41% of their 3rd down opportunities but USD has been EXCELLENT in the redzone allowing scores on just 14 of 19 trips and only 9 of those are touchdowns. USD plays an attacking 3-4 defense which has led to 15 sacks and 5 interceptions.

Up front, USD has good size for the 3-4 defense. #92 Micah Roane (6-4, 255) and #54 Nick Gaes (6-4, 275) operate as the ends. Two years ago, Gaes had 7 sacks and then battled injuries in a disappointing 2022 season. However, this year he has returned to form and has 19 tackles, 4 sacks and 5 more quarterback hits already this season! Roane is workhorse and he has 25 tackles and 3.5 sacks. At the nose tackle position is #61 Blake Holden (6-3, 300) who has 25 tackles on the year. #90 Mi’Quise Grace (6-4, 255) is a key reserve and he has 11 tackles and 1.5 sacks along with 4 batted balls.

The linebacker corp may be the best in the MVFC. The group is led by #34 Stephen Hillis (6-1, 235) who led the MVFC in tackles last year. This year he has 36 tackles, 2 TFL, and 3 QBH. Joining him in the middle is #49 Brock Morgensen (6-2, 235). He actually leads the team in tackles this year with 49 total tackles and has 1 INT and 2 QBH. These are two very talented players that cause havoc on the field. The SAM linebacker is either #3 Teven McKelvey (6-1, 200) or #0 Jonathan Joanas (6-1, 225). McKelvey has 15 tackles and 2 passes defended while Joanas has 15 tackles as well. McKelvey is on the roster as a safety so I image this lineup is situation and matchup dependent. The wildcard in this group is #91 Brendan Webb (6-4, 260). Webb spent the past few years as a down lineman but has now transitioned to the standup “Rush” end position. He has a stellar 21 tackles and 4.5 sacks so far this year. #43 Parker Fryar (6-3, 225) is a key reserve for the group after transferring in from NAIA powerhouse, Northwestern. Fryar was an All-American there and has had a good transition to the FCS where he has 20 tackles and an INT.

This USD defense has lots of good players but the star has to be #1 Myles Harden (6-0, 200). He is a great cover corner and has the ability to force turnovers, showing a strong propensity to rip fumbles away in previous season. This year he has 28 tackles, 2.5 TFL, 1 INT, and 3 passes defended. Opposite him is #4 Shahid Barros (6-1, 190), who is enjoying a bit of a breakouts season as well. He has 32 total tackles, 1 pass defended and 1 forced fumble. The only reserve with much playing time is #12 Caleb McKenzie (5-8, 170) and he has 10 tackles on the season. #2 Dennis Shorter (5-10, 195) is having a strong season from his safety position. He has 44 tackles, 1 INT, and 2 forced fumbles this year. Opposite him is #6 Josiah Ganues (5-11, 180) who has 31 tackles, 1 IN, and 2 PD. #9 Tim White (5-10, 195) is a reserve safety who has 8 tackles and a pass defended this season.

Special Teams

The USD special teams had a complete turnover in personnel from a year ago. #15 Will Leyland has stepped in as the kicker and done a good job going 7-7 on kickoffs with a long of 41 yards and being perfect on his PATs. LSU transfer #39 Zeke Mata handles the kickoff duties where he has 36 attempts that have resulted in 10 touchbacks. He has kicked 3 out of bounds. Opponents are averaging just 17 yards per return on 17 attempts with a long of 27 yards. The punting duties belong to #32 Tyler Ebel who has a 40 yard average on 17 attempts. He has forced 6 to be fair caught, 8 have landed inside the 20 and 3 have traveled 50+ yards. He has had 1 kick blocked.

In the return game, #14 Carter Bell is the primary punt returner. He has just 3 attempts but a 9 yard average with a long of 14. On kick returns, true freshman #21 Keyondray Jones (5-7, 170) is the primary return man. He has 8 returns for 19 yard average and a long of 30 yards. #7 Mike Mansaray will also return kicks when healthy and he has a 19 yard average as well.

Prediction

This will not be an easy game for the Jacks. USD will be pumped to face their rival and the #1 team in the country. If they win this game, their path to at least a share of the MVFC title is clear. The Jacks do not play well in the Dakota Dome and they do have a two game losing streak there. This is the most talented team USD has had in years and they will be ready for this one. However, I like Quinton Hicks comments in the postgame show with Tyler Merriam. He is aware that his class has never won in the Dakota Dome. I’m sure they will want to change that stat this week.

Jackrabbits 27- Coyotes 17

Go Jacks!

Matt