Story by
The Daily Republic, Mitchell, S.D.
Preview: USD football hosts North Dakota in a top-10 showdown
- Story byThe Daily Republic, Mitchell, S.D.
- Preview: USD football hosts North Dakota in a top-10 showdown
Oct. 20—VERMILLION, S.D. — After picking up their first road conference win, the South Dakota Coyotes will head back to the DakotaDome for a highly anticipated top-10 Missouri Valley Football Conference matchup with North Dakota on Saturday afternoon.
Saturday will mark just the fifth time in program history that USD will play in a top-10 contest in front of the Coyote faithful, as the two teams enter with identical records and look to stay in the race for a conference title
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How to watch the Coyotes and what to know about both programs:
Week 8: No. 8 South Dakota Coyotes (6-2, 3-1 MVFC) vs No. 6 North Dakota Fighting Hawks (6-2, 3-1 MVFC)
When: Saturday, Oct. 24, at 1 p.m.
Where: DakotaDome in Vermillion, S.D.
TV: ESPN+ / Midco Sports — Jay Elsen (Play-by-Play), Andre Fields (Analyst)
Radio: Coyote Sports Network (John Thayer, Gary Culver, Jerry Palleschi) [KVHT 106.3 FM]
Streaming: ESPN+ / Midco Sports
Records last year: USD 10-5, UND 8-6
Series: UND leads the all-time series over USD, 64-34-5
Last time: USD defeated North Dakota 26-21 last year in Vermillion.
Last week: USD defeated Murray State on the road 48-20, while North Dakota beat then-No. 1 South Dakota State 21-10 at home.
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Rankings: USD is ranked No. 8 and UND is ranked No. 6 in the FCS
Coaches: USD — Matt Vitzthum (first year, 6-2); UND — Eric Schmidt (second year, 14-8)
Leading passers: USD — Austyn Modrzewski (123-for-185, 1,734 yards, 22 TDs, 6 INTs); UND — Jerry Kaminski (147-for-220, 1,742 yards, 21 TDs, 4 INTs)
Leading rushers: USD — Charles Pierre Jr. (585 yards, 90 carries, 7 TDs); UND — Charles Langama (514 yards, 65 carries, 6 TDs)
Leading receivers: USD — Brayden White (35 receptions, 468 yards, 7 TDs); UND — Deng Deng (34 receptions, 518 yards, 2 TDs)
Top defenders: USD — Wade Abrams (68 total tackles, 38 solo tackles, 3.5 TFLs, 3 PBUs, 2 QBHs, 2 FF); UND — Ethan Boll (50 total tackles, 31 solo tackles, 4 TFLs, 2 QBHs, 2 FF, 1 sack)
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Quick game hits: South Dakota and North Dakota are set to meet for the 104th time on Saturday, as the Coyotes have won the last three meetings. The Fighting Hawks, however, have the narrow advantage in the series in Vermillion, sitting at 25-20-2. ... It's the third top-10 clash in the DakotaDome in the FCS era for USD with the last two coming back in 2023 (vs. No. 1 SDSU, vs. No. 10 North Dakota). ... USD returns home as winners of three-straight games with all three having 30-plus points. ... The Coyotes are one of three teams in the MVFC to average 14-plus yards per pass completion this season, but lead the Valley with their 9.2 yards per attempt. ... USD has outscored opponents 166-88 (+78 margin) in the first half this season thanks to a plus-50 margin in the second quarter. ... Coyote quarterback Austyn Modrzewski has thrown for multiple touchdown passes in six of his first eight games as the starter, and has thrown at least one touchdown in all eight games, which sits in a tie for fifth-longest streak alongside Aidan Bouman in 2025. Modrzewski also has 22 passing touchdowns, which sits tied for second in the FCS and fifth in USD program history for a single season. ... USD wide receiver Brayden White now sits tied for the lead in the Missouri Valley with his seven touchdown receptions on the year after adding two last week at Murray State. ... USD linebacker Gabe Hardman has three forced fumbles which sits tied for second in the FCS, and USD defensive back Harrison Brun has two recoveries, sitting tied for fifth in the nation. ... The Fighting Hawks are coming off a massive 21-10 home victory over then No. 1-ranked SDSU last weekend. UND jumped out to an early 21-0 first half lead and held on with zero points in the second half to hold off the Jackrabbits. ... Battling an injury from the Northern Iowa game on Oct. 10, UND quarterback Jerry Kaminski returned in time for the SDSU game. He sits tied for fourth in the FCS with his 21 passing touchdowns this season to just four interceptions thrown. ... North Dakota has a top-20 scoring and total offense marks this season in the FCS, sitting No. 18 in total offense (436.5 YPG) and No. 14 in scoring offense (36.6 PPG). ... The UND offense is a top-5 offense when it comes to getting first downs, as it sits No. 5 in the FCS with 187 first downs on the season. ... A top-15 rushing offense (No. 12, 207 YPG) for UND is plagued by nine lost fumbles this season which sits last in the MVFC. ... UND's defense sits No. 12 in the FCS in total defense (304.4 yards allowed per game), but is 110th in the FCS in red-zone defense (.905). ... One more victory this season for USD head coach Matt Vitzthum will move him into the program's top-5 list for most wins in their first season as head coach at South Dakota. Travis Johansen set the record with his 10 wins last season.
