Coyotes look to keep focus in final game

With a loss to South Dakota State, USD’s playoff hopes went from being a possibility to a long shot.

The 5-5 Coyotes (3-4 in Missouri Valley) have another tough test this week, going up against No. 6 Illinois State.

The Redbirds have been playing a solid game all year, with losses to Iowa and SDSU the only blotches on their resume.

The Coyotes are no strangers to tough teams, having defeated No. 3 North Dakota State and played No. 5 SDSU in a close game.

For Coyote offensive coordinator Wesley Beschorner, close just doesn’t cut it.

“I thought we came out really hot in the third quarter and it was our game to win (against SDSU). When we didn’t it’s just like any other game.

It’s tough and it’s tough against those guys – they’re a good football team, but we felt like we had a chance to win and we just didn’t do it. Credit to them. They’ve got a good team and they found a way to win,” Beschorner said.

A win over Illinois State would give USD its first winning season since 2011.

Despite the playoffs having seemingly slipped from the Coyote’s grasp, Beschorner said the team seems to be trending upward.

“From the end of last season it felt like we were turning the page. Guys were coming into their own and it was fun to see,” Beschorner said. “A new leader stepped up, Ryan Saeger for sure, and other guys like Keyen Lage really stepped up as seniors.”

Another senior who stepped up is wide out Eric Shufford, who leads the team in receptions and is second in receiving yards.

“It is bittersweet, but at the same time it’s a testament to not only the coaching staff, not only the training staff and the strength and conditioning staff, but it’s a testament to the leadership on this team,” Shufford said. “It just trickles down to our younger players. The freshmen now are going to be a part of a culture that’s used to winning, a culture that doesn’t lay down or give up, a culture that’s going to continue to fight.”

With the Coyotes finally coming into their own, Shufford is glad for the changes he helped bring, but wishes he could stick around to see them all come to fruition.

“It’s bittersweet that we helped to get it here but now we have to bow out and watch it from the sideline, but it’s a great thing.

These are like my brothers here and as long as they continue the tradition we start and continue to build this program and be successful, than that’s at least something we can be proud of knowing that we helped pave the way and we helped start it up,” Shufford said.

As the team matures, the fight is picking up within the Coyotes. The games that were once out of reach are now getting closer.

“This is another top 10 team that we’re playing towards the end of the year, we’ve played quite a few at the end here, but if we want to be in those type of considerations we’ve got to win these games,” Beschorner said. “We’re fighting, we’re getting really close, we’ve won a couple of those and we look forward to finding another way to win on the road.”

After sitting at the bottom of the Missouri Valley Football Conference, the Coyotes are eager for the chance of a possible trip to the playoffs.

The Coyotes travel to Normal, Ill,. on Saturday to take on the Redbirds for their final game of the season. Kickoff time is noon.

“Everything you have is put into this one last game,” Shufford said. “Statistically we’re not out of it and we still have a shot. It’s a long shot, but it’s a shot so we have to focus on winning this game.”