VERMILLION, S.D. — For the first time in program history, the No. 4-ranked South Dakota Coyotes (4-1, 2-0 MVFC) picked up a road Missouri Valley Football Conference (MVFC) road shutout victory as the Yotes put up a season-best 582 yards of offense in a dominant 59-0 win over the (RV) Murray State Racers (1-4, 0-2 MVFC) Saturday afternoon at Roy Stewart Stadium.
Wasting no time out the gates, South Dakota used 92 first quarter rushing yards from Travis Theis (Sr., Pratt, Kan.) and three team scores in their first three possessions set the tone early in their first-ever trip to Murray, Kentucky.
The run game was the point of emphasis from the opening drive, as the seven-play opening drive from the Coyotes saw five rushes. Theis aided the Yotes near Murray State territory before Aidan Bouman (Jr., Buffalo, Minn.) connected with Quaron Adams (So., Phoenix, Ariz.) for a 46-yard gain into the red zone, where Charles Pierre Jr. (So., Orlando, Fla.) capped off the 75-yard drive with an eight-yard touchdown run up the middle.
The next two possessions would also lead to scores as South Dakota jumped out to a quick 21-0 lead after the first 15 minutes of play. Theis would have a hand in the final two scores of the frame, recording a 44-yard touchdown run and picking up his first receiving touchdown of the season.
Bouman was efficient all day long, throwing for 221 yards (16-for-22), now throwing for 200+ yards and at least one touchdown passes in three consecutive games.
The Coyote defense was stout in the first half, allowing just 138 yards of offense and keeping the Racers stuck at the start line offensively. Murray State was held to just 54 rushing yards in the first half, while only 90 on the game in total.
Right before the half, Will Leyland (Jr., Souderton, Pa.) hit his third field goal of the season, and setting a new season long, with his 43-yard field goal as the Coyotes took a 24-0 lead into the locker room.
Out of the halftime break, the Coyotes again put the pedal to the metal as they matched their first quarter in scoring output with three touchdowns to take complete control of the game. Pierre Jr. picked up his second and third rushing scores of the day, accounting for two of the three third quarter scores from 11- and 8-yards out. Theis picked up his third total score in the frame – his second rushing score of the day as South Dakota pushed their lead up to 45-0 after three quarters.
Northern Illinois transfer Nevan Cremascoli (So., Winnetka, Ill.) made his presence felt with a 74-yard rushing score early in the final frame, pushing the Coyote point total up into the 50s (52-0). The final score of the day would be a five-yard rushing score from L.J. Phillips Jr. (R-Fr., Wichita, Kan.).
South Dakota would score five touchdowns on their six full possessions in the second half, including their last four possessions. On the day, eight of the 12 full possessions would end up with six points for the Yotes. Four different Coyotes would record rushing scores, while Pierre Jr., three rushing scores sets a new individual single-game high on the season.
On the afternoon, the Yotes rushed for 361 yards, notching 350+ rushing yards for the first time since the 2021 Cal Poly game. The seven rushing scores on the day is the most in the Division I FCS era, last putting up seven scores against Culver-Stockton (Mo.) back in 2008. Theis ended the day with a game-high 132 rushing yards, accounting for three USD touchdowns (two rushing and one receiving). He also becomes the fourth Yote to notch a receiving touchdown this season.
The defense on the day forced a season-high four turnovers, two interceptions, a forced fumble in the red zone, and a muffed punt recovery deep inside Murray State territory. Of those turnovers, it led directly to 17 USD points.
Up Next: South Dakota will return to the DakotaDome for the only time in the month of October next weekend (October 12) for the Dakota Days game against the University of Northern Iowa. Kickoff is slated for 2:00 p.m.