Ignore the score, Glenn says team is on right track

In 2012, the University of South Dakota football team was 1-10 and were winless in the Missouri Valley Conference. Fast-forward to 2013, and the Coyotes have already won four games with one remaining, including three in the MVC.

The biggest measuring stick for the Coyotes this year was how they did against conference rival South Dakota State University. Last year, the Coyotes lost 31-8 in Brookings. This year while still suffering a loss, the Coyotes played a much closer game, going down 27-12.

USD Athletic Director David Herbster said the improvements of the team and the strives made over the year.

“We took strides this year, and I knew this year was still going to be about growth,” Herbster said. “It was about instilling Joe Glenn’s philosophy on this team. What I saw this year was improvements statistically on both sides of the ball.”

Last year, in their first year in the Missouri Valley, the Coyotes finished in the bottom half in virtually all statistical areas. This year, however, the defense made large strides, including leading the conference with 35 sacks and in opponent fourth down stops, stopping eight out of 11.

While the defense made major improvements, Herbster did comment that the offensive side of the ball struggled this year. This is most evident in the Coyotes standing last in total offensive scoring, with just 209 points. The Coyotes scored just 25 offensive touchdowns on the year with just 19.0 points per game, but finished sixth in total yards with 3,861.

Statistically, the Coyotes made improvements on nearly every level. The biggest improvement came in the win column.

Sophomore linebacker Keyen Lage attributed the success to improved team chemistry.

“As a team we got a lot closer than we were last year,” Lage said. “It’s because the core of our team came back from last year. We were able to become more of a family.”

Lage said the defensive success can be attributed to more time in the relatively new 3-4 Defense. Lage said the extra time allowed this year’s defense to know how to execute.

When it comes to matching up with SDSU, the Coyotes are eight years behind. Head coach Joe Glenn said that while the team isn’t where it wants to be, it’s close.

“(SDSU) has had 10 years now to recruit to a D-I school, and we’re in it just two years now,” Glenn said. “Certainly the clubs that have been in the league since its inception have a definite advantage on the new teams coming in. If you ask any coach we played this season, we’re an improved team, and our record shows that.”

Last year, the Coyotes were outgained by the Jackrabbits 428 yards to 266 in a game that was seemingly over after the first quarter where the Coyotes trailed 21-0. This year, however, the Coyotes were able to actually outgain the Jacks in a losing effort 384-315.

While the Jacks ended up winning the game by double digits, the game was much closer than the final score. SDSU head coach John Stiegelmeier acknowledged the changed Coyote team in a postgame interview.

“They play differently,” Stiegelmeier said.  “They’re going to win a lot of football games in his tenure here.”