Story by
The Daily Republic, Mitchell, S.D.
Coyotes race past Eastern Washington to open season 3-0
- Story byThe Daily Republic, Mitchell, S.D.
- Coyotes race past Eastern Washington to open season 3-0
Sep. 12—VERMILLION, S.D. — What began as a slow, methodical afternoon quickly turned into a dominant victory for the University of South Dakota football team.
The Coyotes pulled away from Eastern Washington 41-23 on Saturday afternoon at the DakotaDome, opening the season 3-0 for the first time since 2017.
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After the two programs had met just once previously, also in Vermillion in 2011, USD leaned on the legs of running back Charles Pierre Jr. and the steady arm of first-year starting quarterback Austyn Modrzewski to pull away.
Modrzewski got the Coyotes on the board early, connecting with Brayden White for an 8-yard touchdown on the opening drive. But points were harder to come by from there, as South Dakota sustained drives without consistently turning them into points.
Bohdie Ing added a 31-yard field goal early in the second quarter to make it 10-0, but an opportunity to stretch the lead disappeared when Modrzewski threw his first career interception at the goal line. Eastern Washington capitalized with a field goal of its own, cutting the deficit to 10-3.
That, however, would be as close as the Eagles would get. With 22 seconds remaining before halftime, Modrzewski connected with Tennel Bryant for a 66-yard touchdown strike, giving the Coyotes a 17-3 advantage heading into the break.
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While USD's offense began to find its rhythm, the defense was already setting the tone. The Coyotes held Eastern Washington's up-tempo offense to just 113 total yards in the first half and recorded four sacks.
Then Pierre delivered the play that completely flipped the game. On the opening possession of the second half, Pierre broke free for a 72-yard touchdown run, spinning away from an Eastern Washington defender before racing down the field. The score came less than two minutes into the half and pushed South Dakota's lead to 24-3.
Pierre finished with 138 yards and two touchdowns on just 15 carries. He also added one reception for 21 yards. And less than two minutes later, Modrzewski found Bryant again, this time for a 48-yard touchdown. The 50-second scoring drive put USD ahead 31-3 with more than 10 minutes remaining in the third quarter.
Modrzewski finished the afternoon 16-for-24 passing for 245 yards, three touchdowns and one interception. Bryant led the receiving corps with three catches for 120 yards and two touchdowns, while White finished with four receptions for 34 yards and a score.
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Eastern Washington finally broke through late in the third quarter when quarterback Nate Bell found Kayden Stuit for an 11-yard touchdown. But USD immediately answered when Ethan Carrier recorded his first career interception, setting up Pierre's 1-yard touchdown run to open the fourth quarter.
The Eagles added two more touchdowns in the final period, including a 28-yard connection from Bell to Wesley Garrett and Malik Doston's 2-yard rushing score. Ing added his second field goal of the afternoon, a 36-yarder, to help seal the 41-23 victory.
Defensively, Kael Kolarik and Wade Abrams each recorded five tackles, with Abrams adding a tackle for loss. Gabe Hardman had four tackles, two tackles for loss and a forced fumble. Nathan Laperi recorded two sacks, while Chris Dixon and Asher Tomaszewski each added one.
USD will face its biggest test of the non-conference schedule next weekend. The Coyotes travel to Boise, Idaho, to take on FBS opponent Boise State at 9 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 19, in their final non-conference game before opening Missouri Valley Football Conference play at Youngstown State on Sept. 26.
