After bye week, Coyotes prepare for 15th ranked Youngstown State

Coming off of the double overtime loss to North Dakota, a bye week is exactly what the Coyotes needed before beginning Missouri Valley Conference play.

“(It was) an opportunity to kind of regroup a little bit and refocus on some things that we’re going to need to do better and be better at this week,” said head coach Bob Nielson.

This week the Coyotes face off against number 15 Youngstown State at Youngstown State. Last year when the two teams met, the Penguins were ranked 10 and rolled USD 31-3 during Dakota Days. A big focus for USD will be the Youngstown State running game. They are currently fourth in the FCS in rushing offense.

“From a defensive standpoint we’re going to have to be really good against the rush, because that’s going to want to control the football with the running game,” Nielson said.

Nielson knows that going after this team is no easy task.

“They’re a very good football team, very well coached. What we’re going to have to do is play our best football of the year,” Nielson said. “We’re going to have to do a lot of things right. We’re going to have to try to generate some opportunities to score.”

A big part of the Coyotes’ opportunity to score is junior quarterback Chris Streveler. He has started all three games for the Coyotes at QB and leads the team in rushing as well as passing. For Streveler, the bye week was good for getting ready to take on a daunting conference schedule.

“Just really focus on getting better and regrouping before going into a tough conference schedule here,” Streveler said.

Another intricate part of the USD offense this year has been sophomore wide out Shamar Jackson. Jackson has already doubled his receiving yards from a year ago, currently leading the team with 137 receiving yards and four touchdowns. For Jackson this increased role is something he is proud of.

“It feels pretty good for my teammates to rely on me to come in and make plays,” Jackson said.

Despite the increased role, it has done little to change the way Jackson approaches his game.

“When I see the ball coming my way I just do my best to catch it and help my team,” Jackson said.

The Coyotes aren’t treating this game any differently despite the trip to the imposing Stambaugh Stadium.

“You just prepare for every team the same every week. You go in, you’re watching film and getting scouting reports,” Streveler said. “In terms of preparing to go there, it’s like I said the same as every week.”

This game will also be the beginning of Nielson’s fourth season as a coach in the MVFC, albeit this year with a different team. After leaving Western Illinois, he hasn’t focused too much on what the MVFC will be like from behind a different sideline.

“I’m excited obviously; you know league play is special,” Nielson said. “We certainly start off with a team that’s one of the best in the league.”

Kickoff time for this weekend’s game is set for 3 p.m.

“We’re dialed in, we’re focusing in on our game plan here early in the week and it’s coming along nicely,” Streveler said.