Coyotes drop road game 7-20 to Northern Iowa

After back-to-back wins over NDSU and Missouri State, USD fell to Northern Iowa on Saturday with a 7-20 loss.

USD struck first with a 23-yard touchdown pass from junior quarterback Ryan Saeger to sophomore wide out Brandt Van Roekel, with 1:25 left in the first quarter.

This would be the only points the Coyotes would score as UNI would close out the game with 20 unanswered points, courtesy of two touchdowns in the second quarter and two field goals in the third.

The Coyotes has trouble generating any offense throughout the game. Following the touchdown, USD only had two drives go for longer than 10 yards. UNI outgained USD in yards, 394 to 187.

UNI quarterback Aaron Bailey completed 16 of 27 passes for 231 yards and one touchdown, and he ran for 44 yards and a touchdown.

Saeger completed 11 of 21 for the Coyotes for 133 yards with one touchdown and one interception.

USD first-year running back Michael Fredrick, starting his second game this season, ran for 50 yards and lost one fumble. Van Roekel followed up his 86 reception yard game last week, with 89 this week.

Senior linebacker Keyen Lage led the Coyote defense with 10 tackles, which included three tackles for loss and one sack.

Sophomore cornerback Adam Harris had five pass breakups. The Coyotes had 11 tackles for loss, five sacks and two forced fumbles.

USD will face Southern Illinois next Saturday at 1 p.m. in the DakotaDome.