Football finds their stride

The University of South Dakota (USD) Coyotes football season is in full swing, coming off an important win against the No. 8 University of North Dakota (UND) Fighting Hawks this past Saturday 26-23 in an overtime thriller.

The Coyotes in the first five games of the season were 3-2, ending their five game streak with back to back loses to Boise State and Youngstown State.

Since then, the Coyotes have gone 4-0 with some impressive wins to add to the confidence of the team.

Quarterback Austyn Modrzewski discussed what changed for the team. 

“We all learned personally the hard way after Boise, we came out of that thinking we were better, looking at the rankings too much, we got whooped up by Youngstown, so I’d say that really woke up a lot of us. Each and every week, you come in with a new mindset, get better, you can’t hold anyone down because it’s college football at the end of the day. Anyone could win,” Modrzewski said.

Modrzewski has thrown for 1,893 yards and 24 touchdowns, accumulating a 175.95 passer rating.

The Dakota Days game started off the win streak with a statement win over Indiana State 44-14 in which the Coyotes scored at least one touchdown in every single quarter.

The following week, the Coyotes took on Southern Illinois at home in a 31-10 win, a defensive showcase that has been prevalent all season.

Going on the road for their next game, the Coyotes took care of business against Murray State in a 48-20 win.

Now to the current day with a record of 7-2 and a potential to make a deep playoff run, the Coyotes are finding their rhythm. 

Defensive tackle Chris Dixon, a captain for the team, detailed what the team has been working on over the season.

“Just sharpening our craft, making sure our technique and everything is up to par and just making sure we’re on our P’s and Q’s,” Dixon said.

“With each and every day, we focus on, at practice, getting 1% better.” Modrzewski said.

Dixon has 28 total tackles, four tackle-for-losses, and is tied for most sacks on the team with three.

 Something to note with the Coyotes is that they are undefeated in the Dakota Dome this year, so home-field advantage has helped the team find even more success. 

The Coyotes enter the final three games with both momentum and excitement, but are making sure to not treat the next few opponents any differently.

Another captain of the team, linebacker Gabriel Hardman, and Dixon, talked about staying true to the process they have.

“Sticking to the process, coming in every single day and doing what we need to do to make sure we’re at our best and people that come in here or come out of here, they know that they got to deal with us,” Hardman said.

Hardman has 37 total tackles on the season and 3 forced fumbles, paired alongside a fumble recovery.

“They are just another nameless, faceless opponent. Can’t make the moment too big, can’t make it too small, so just go as a normal week as we prepare for anybody,” Dixon said.

Next week’s game is the highlight of the regular season for USD, facing off against South Dakota State University (SDSU) in Brookings, SD in a must win rivalry game.

After SDSU, the Coyotes host their final home game of the regular season against Northern Iowa. To finish off the regular season, the Coyotes will face against Illinois State.

Photo Credit: Colton Tolly