USD football primer: Top-ranked Bison on tap for Coyotes
Sep. 22—VERMILLION — South Dakota is fresh off its first win of the campaign and welcomes the No. 1 team in the country to the DakotaDome on Saturday, Sept. 24. Here's what you need to know ahead of the game.
When: Saturday, 1 p.m.
Where: DakotaDome, Vermillion.
Records: USD 1-2, NDSU 2-1.
Coaches: USD's Bob Nielson, 30th season overall (seventh at USD), 216-116-1 overall (30-36 at USD); NDSU's Matt Entz, fourth season, 39-5.
All-time series: NDSU leads 57-26-2.
Last meeting: NDSU won 52-24 on Saturday, Nov. 20, 2021 in Fargo.
Notes: The game can be viewed on ESPN+ or Midco Sports. ... NDSU has won the last five matchups, including the last three games in Vermillion. NDSU has also won 24 of the last 26 meetings. ... The contest marks the Missouri Valley Football Conference opener for both teams.
About the Coyotes: USD is coming off its first win of the season against Cal Poly. ... The game against NDSU marks the second opponent in the top-three of the FCS Stats Perform Top 25 that USD has played this season, with current No. 2 team South Dakota State next for the Coyotes as well. ... USD is being outscored 79-45 by its opponents this season and has given up 1313 total yards compared to the 1039 it gained.
About the Bison: NDSU suffered its first loss of the season last time out against Arizona. ... Despite the loss, the Bison are the No. 1 team in the country in the Stats Perform poll. ... NDSU has outscored its opponents 127-48 through the first three games of the season. ... The Bison rush for an average of 235.3 yards per game and have found the endzone nine times on the ground.
USD key players: Quarterback Carson Camp threw for a career-best 355 yards last week against Cal Poly and added a 75-yard touchdown. He moved into eighth-place all-time on the USD passing yards list. ... Cornerback Myles Harden has been responsible for all four USD turnovers this season, intercepting two passes and forcing two fumbles. ... Left tackle Alex Jensen is the reigning MVFC offensive lineman of the week.
NDSU key players: Fullback Hunter Luepke rushed 18 times for 115 yards and two scores against Arizona. He also caught a touchdown for the Bison in the game. ... Cam Miller has thrown for 331 yards, five touchdowns and no interceptions through the first three games of the season, completing nearly 70% of his passes. However, he averages 11 pass attempts per game. ... James Kaczor leads the Bison in total tackles with 18. He also has 1.5 tackles for loss, 0.5 sacks and an interception to his name this season.
Next week: USD has a bye next week before going to Brookings on Saturday, Oct. 8 to take on South Dakota State. NDSU goes back home on Saturday, Oct. 1 to host Youngstown State.