Coyotes take on in-state rival SDSU for the first time since 2003
Nov. 17 — a date that everyone in the state of South Dakota has had their eyes on for quite some time. The University of South Dakota Coyotes are sitting in dead last in the Missouri Valley Conference and all they have left to play for is pride. And what better opponent to play for pride against then the biggest rival you have and one you haven’t gone up against since 2003.
November 17, 2012. The date the Coyotes (1-9) travel to Brookings to take on the 7-3 (5-2) South Dakota State Jackrabbits.
Head Coach Joe Glenn said this game has been marked on the schedule since day one, and he is very honored to coach in this game.
“This game is for all the bragging rights, and whoever gets the win can walk a little taller in the state of South Dakota for a year,” Glenn said. “I’ve played and coached in the game in years back and it gets very exciting.”
This game brings the return of a historic rivalry. The rivalry was put on hold in 2004, when the Jackrabbits jettisoned North Central Conference (no longer in existence). The nine-year stall caused the all-time record to remain 52-48-7 in the Coyotes favor. However, this time, the Coyotes clearly will be the underdog, and they all know it, which would make a win that much sweeter.
Junior outside linebacker Tyler Starr said a win on Saturday would definitely be a huge victory in an otherwise forgettable season thus far.
“It would mean everything to knock off SDSU at Coughlin-Alumni Stadium,” Starr said. “It would help erase the pain that we’ve went through this season.”
The Coyotes will have to adjust and be prepared for a hostile environment when they take the field on Saturday.
Glenn said he has told his players that the crowd will be hectic and they will have to be focused.
“I’ve coached in three national championship games, and they weren’t any more electric than this rivalry we have here in South Dakota,” Glenn said. “We will have to control our emotions and execute our game plan.”
The Coyote offense will have to put some points on the board and not put so much pressure on its defense. Sophomore quarterback Josh Vander Maten said he is very excited to play in this game and believes his team will play well.
“We will rely on our running game and hopefully put together some nice long drives,” Vander Maten said. “They have a great defense, so it will have to be a team effort.”
The Coyote defense will have the tough task of shutting down the second leading rusher in the nation in sophomore running back Zach Zenner. Zenner has 1,539 yards and nine touchdowns on the season. He gained national attention in week one when he scored a 99 yard touchdown at Kansas and has been the king of all running backs in the MVC ever since.
Glenn said his defense will have their work cut out for them if they want to slow down their star sophomore.
“He’s a guy that has run for over 1,500 yards and they have relied on him heavily,” Glenn said. “It’s been no secret that we have struggled stopping the run so we are going to have to shore up that area if we want to win.”
Starr didn’t make any predictions on the outcome of his team’s season finale, but believes if the team plays its brand of football the outcome will be good.
“If we play disciplined football and make the plays that are presented to us we can most definitely compete,” Starr said. “We need to cause some turnovers and play with maximum effort.”
USD is still in search of their first victory in the Missouri Valley Conference and who else better than SDSU? Buckle up Coyote fans, this should be a good one.
