COLUMN: Coyotes could enter free fall after shut out
Whenever someone moves into a new neighborhood usually the neighbors will stop by and say, “Hello.”
North Dakota State was happy to say, “Hello” to its newest Missouri Valley Football Conference neighbor in a 54-0 smack down that showed the University of South Dakota football team how far from the top it really is.
The roller coaster season that USD was supposed to ride this year has now turned into more of a uncontrollable free fall.
Unfortunately for Coyote fans there is no end is in sight. The schedule will only continue to get tougher and tougher as the weeks go on.
Take, for example, USD’s next challenge, Indiana State, who upset the Bison 17-14 a week before USD’s beat down at the hands of NDSU.
Following a trip to Indiana State will be yet another road contest at Youngstown State who is another top team in the MVFC with a record of 4-3.
Now, every coach understands they shouldn’t look too far ahead on the schedule. Every game is its own unique week, however, it is hard to be optimistic looking at the rest of the Coyotes’ regular season schedule.
However a final home game against the University of Northern Iowa Nov. 10 could provide the Coyotes their best opportunity to pull out their first conference victory.
USD went through numerous amounts of firsts against NDSU.
Not only was it the first time USD had been shut out since 2006, it also marked the first game the Coyotes have played at Howard Wood since 2007.
While it was officially considered a home game for USD, the Bison showed a strong following, filling their visitor section and then some.
For it being the first game USD has hosted in Sioux Falls since 2004, there were plenty of areas that will need improvement in order to keep this game special for Coyote fans.
USD learned what a true Division-I program looks like before, during and after the game on Saturday.
Not only does NDSU have a strong football team and program, they also showed USD what a Division-I fan base should look like.
Coyote fans witnessed firsthand what a strong united group of NDSU supporters sounded like as they roared for their team at Howard Wood Field.
The Coyotes might not be able to compete on the field with NDSU quite yet, but that gap should continue to close after a couple years in the MVFC.
If the gap doesn’t begin to close, changes will need to be made in order get USD playing at a higher level.
However, the effect suffered from Saturday’s blowout loss extended far from the playing field.
Growing pains will continue to be the statement of the season but all USD fans should understand is that if the Coyotes are suppose to play like NDSU, they need to build the fan base that NDSU has created.
