Coyotes fall to New Mexico 48-21 in season opener

After coming out swinging and going toe-to-toe with New Mexico for the first few drives, the Lobos proved too much for USD.

After the first play of the game was a 75-yard touchdown run for New Mexico, it seemed reminiscent of Kansas State’s opening kickoff return and eventual shutout of USD a year ago.

The Coyotes, however, would not lie down.

They put together their own 75-yard touchdown drive, capped off with a 55-yard touchdown run from junior quarterback, University of Minnesota transfer, Chris Steveler. Steveler was announced as starter over senior Ryan Saeger and redshirt freshman Austin Simmons shortly before kickoff.

On the next drive New Mexico brought the ball into USD’s red zone. Junior defensive back Adam Harris managed to force a fumble, which was recovered by senior defensive lineman Jon Maag on the Coyotes’ own 10. This stopped a likely New Mexico score and allowed USD to seize momentum.

This momentum would turn into production, as USD would mount a 90-yard drive finished off with a 42-yard touchdown run again for Steveler. This put the Coyotes up 14-7.

This lead was short lived, however, as on the next drive New Mexico ripped off an 84-yard touchdown run to even the game at 14.

It was in the second quarter that New Mexico took the game over. The Lobos scored 21 unanswered to go into halftime with a 35-14 lead.

Unfortunately for USD, halftime did little to alleviate their pain. They would get one score back on a 41-yard touchdown pass from Steveler to sophomore wideout Tacari Carpenter. The Lobos would add two field goals to their total and go into the fourth quarter with a 41-21 lead.

New Mexico opened the fourth quarter with a touchdown to make it 48-21 and that would end up being the final score.

Despite the loss, South Dakota should be able to take some positives away. Steveler had a stellar debut. He threw for 117 yards for one touchdown on 10-13 passing. He also led the Coyotes in rushing with 131 yards for two touchdowns.

Carpenter led all receivers with 59 yards and one touchdown.

On defense, junior linebacker Jet Moreland led all Coyotes with 10 total tackles. Senior defensive back Jacob Warner had a big night with eight total tackles, six of them solo, and two tackles for loss.

With the loss USD falls to 0-1 on the season. They will open up the DakotaDome next Saturday against Weber State. Kickoff time is 2 p.m.