Coyotes hungry for win No. 2

The University of South Dakota had little time to celebrate their 10-7 victory over UC Davis from a week ago.

Effective enough to get the job done last week, South Dakota head coach Joe Glenn likes where the offense can take the Coyotes for the rest of the year.

“When you have our running backs who ran hard, both of them rushed for 160 yards, both averaged five to six yards a carry and it is very, very effective,” Glenn said.

The Coyotes have their biggest test of the season upon them this coming Saturday as they face the University of Kansas Jayhawks, who are members of the Big 12.

The Jayhawks are coming off a 1-11 season under highly coveted head coach Charlie Weis, who is in his second year with the program.

Their lone victory last season was against Missouri Valley Conference member South Dakota State, 31-17.

This year, the Jayhawks have a new look, bringing in 18 junior college transfers.

One of those junior-college transfers is starting quarterback Jake Heaps, from Brigham Young University.

“Well, we know their scheme is a 3-4 defense, but slide their front over and under,” Glenn said. “They have a lot of junior-college transfers, their new quarterback, Heaps, he’s a really good player, I saw him play at BYU.  I think they will try to line-up and run us down,” Glenn said.

Expect to see senior running-back James Simms carry the load all game, as he racked up 1,013 yards in only nine games a year ago.

Glenn said USD isn’t coming into the contest to get their $400,000 check and head back to the DakotaDome.

“We are coming into the game with respect,” Glenn said. “They have 22 more scholarships than we do, so we go into it with respect, but with admiration. We’re not afraid of them. You see what’s happening around the nation that several if not more than that, FCS level teams have played BCS teams and come away with a victory.

Last week, the MVC had two upset victories over FBS programs.  North Dakota State went into the home turf of Kansas State and defeated the Wildcats 24-21.  Northern Iowa also knocked off Iowa State 28-20.

If the Coyotes want any shot of knocking off the Jayhawks they’ll be sure to stick to their game plan.

“I am hopeful we can run the football effectively again, that will be important Glenn said. “We have to catch the ball better than we did, and we have to protect. We didn’t take a sack last week, didn’t have a fumble, didn’t have an interception on offense, we did some things really well last week. These things have to stay the same, we need to pass and catch better.”

Glenn is optimistic about his team’s chance this weekend in Lawrence.

“I don’t predict games, I expect us to go out and play really hard,” he said. “I expect us to touch gloves with them, get in there and rumble with them pretty good and stand our ground. If we can stay close, then we will have a chance.”

The Coyotes will kick-off at 6:00 p.m. at Memorial Stadium in Lawrence, Kan. on Saturday.

The University of South Dakota had little time to celebrate their 10-7 victory over UC Davis from a week ago.

Effective enough to get the job done last week, South Dakota head coach Joe Glenn likes where the offense can take the Coyotes for the rest of the year.

“When you have our running backs who ran hard, both of them rushed for 160 yards, both averaged five to six yards a carry and it is very, very effective,” Glenn said.

The Coyotes have their biggest test of the season upon them this coming Saturday as they face the University of Kansas Jayhawks, who are members of the Big 12.

The Jayhawks are coming off a 1-11 season under highly coveted head coach Charlie Weis, who is in his second year with the program.

Their lone victory last season was against Missouri Valley Conference member South Dakota State, 31-17.

This year, the Jayhawks have a new look, bringing in 18 junior college transfers.

One of those junior-college transfers is starting quarterback Jake Heaps, from Brigham Young University.

“Well, we know their scheme is a 3-4 defense, but slide their front over and under,” Glenn said. “They have a lot of junior-college transfers, their new quarterback, Heaps, he’s a really good player, I saw him play at BYU.  I think they will try to line-up and run us down,” Glenn said.

Expect to see senior running-back James Simms carry the load all game, as he racked up 1,013 yards in only nine games a year ago.

Glenn said USD isn’t coming into the contest to get their $400,000 check and head back to the DakotaDome.

“We are coming into the game with respect,” Glenn said. “They have 22 more scholarships than we do, so we go into it with respect, but with admiration. We’re not afraid of them. You see what’s happening around the nation that several if not more than that, FCS level teams have played BCS teams and come away with a victory.

Last week, the MVC had two upset victories over FBS programs.  North Dakota State went into the home turf of Kansas State and defeated the Wildcats 24-21.  Northern Iowa also knocked off Iowa State 28-20.

If the Coyotes want any shot of knocking off the Jayhawks they’ll be sure to stick to their game plan.

“I am hopeful we can run the football effectively again, that will be important Glenn said. “We have to catch the ball better than we did, and we have to protect. We didn’t take a sack last week, didn’t have a fumble, didn’t have an interception on offense, we did some things really well last week. These things have to stay the same, we need to pass and catch better.”

Glenn is optimistic about his team’s chance this weekend in Lawrence.

“I don’t predict games, I expect us to go out and play really hard,” he said. “I expect us to touch gloves with them, get in there and rumble with them pretty good and stand our ground. If we can stay close, then we will have a chance.”

The Coyotes will kick-off at 6:00 p.m. at Memorial Stadium in Lawrence, Kansas on Saturday.