Coyotes pull off dramatic win over Southern Illinois
It was a shootout in Vermillion, with little to separate the two teams. Southern Illinois took USD right down to the wire but in the end, a blocked field goal from Drew Iddings was the difference that earned the Coyotes a 34-3 win.
Saturday’s win also marked USD head coach Joe Glenn’s 200th win.
Southern Illinois struck first in the game, with a one-yard touchdown run by quarterback Mark Iannotti. USD came right back with a one-yard run of their own from junior quarterback Ryan Saeger.
The rest of the game was the same back and forth. There were a total of eight lead changes throughout the game.
Junior Miles Bergner put the Coyotes up by three points early in the second quarter, until a Southern Illinois touchdown pass changed the lead again.
An 80-yard touchdown pass from Saeger to wide out Brandt Van Roekel seemed to grab momentum, but SIU would strike again with another touchdown to make it 21-17 Southern Illinois. Bergner would hit a field goal late, to end an eventful second quarter at 21-20 SIU.
USD opened the scoring in the second half, with a 13-yard touchdown pass from Saeger to Drew Potter to give the Coyotes a 27-21 lead.
Southern Illinois wouldn’t let the lead stand for long, with a 79-yard touchdown pass swinging the lead back in their favor, 28-27.
The final quarter was jump started with a 50-yard field goal from Southern Illinois to jump out to a 31-27 lead.
USD defensive back Mike Lilly later came up with a big interception, but the Coyote offense was unable to do anything with the drive and it resulted in a punt.
USD would not give up so easy, as the defense forced a fumble to give the offense possession on the Southern Illinois 19. A five-yard pass from Saeger to tight end Aaron Ramsey gave the Coyotes a 34-31 lead.
Southern Illinois advanced down the field, with help from several USD penalties. With 0:46 left on the clock, Southern Illinois lined up for a 51-yard field.
The Coyotes stood strong as senior defensive lineman Drew Iddings blocked the kick and it rolled out of the end zone. The Coyotes would take a knee to end the game, it would take them to 5-4 on the season (3-3 in conference play).
The win keeps USD in playoff contention and sets up a very interesting match up with South Dakota State next Saturday.
