VERMILLION — In one of the most memorable games in University of South Dakota football history, the Coyotes mounted a furious late fourth-quarter comeback to defeat North Dakota State 29-28 to clinch a share of the program’s first Missouri Valley Football Conference title.
Despite falling behind 28-17 with under five minutes to play, the Coyotes showed why they’ve been one of the top teams in the country. Two touchdowns within three minutes gave USD a 29-28 advantage with 12 seconds left and a last-ditch lateral player fell short for the Bison on the final play of the day.
Aidan Bouman finished with 272 yards and two touchdowns on 18-for-30 passing on the day. Javion Phelps came up clutch late in the game with multiple game-saving catches, including the game-winning touchdown. He finished the day with 79 receiving yards and a touchdown. Travis Theis was USD’s leading rusher with 66 yards and two touchdowns.
With that, here are three observations from the game…
USD put the FCS on notice
The question surrounding this season had always been how good was USD really? The Coyotes took care of business against most weaker opponents and competed with better opponents like SDSU and even Wisconsin. But there was still one thing missing, a truly signature victory.
Saturday finally provided that victory. With NDSU ranked No. 1 in the country and seen as possibly the title favorite, this was the game for the Coyotes to prove to the rest of the FCS that they can be a formidable force in the postseason. Not only did they take home the victory, but they did it in a fashion that showed more grit than any other this season.
In previous observations, I’ve commended USD for showing grit in tough situations. Games against Youngstown State and UND where they fell behind by multiple possessions early and came back to win. Also against SDSU even though that resulted in a loss. But this was the coup de grâce for the Coyotes when it came to showing fight.
Many teams would waiver after trailing by 11 points with under five minutes to go. Even fewer would come back after giving up a 20-play, 99-yard drive that took over 11 minutes right before the comeback. The fashion in which this team won revealed more about their character than any other type of victory likely would have.
Although I firmly felt that the Coyotes could end their season in Frisco, this win all but confirms that thinking for the rest of the country. The next month should be interesting and we’ll see if this Coyote team can show this level of fight in what could be the most memorable postseason run for the program.
Cam Miller showed why he’s one of the best players in the country
This isn’t so much something that USD did wrong, but more what Cam Miller did right. The NDSU signal caller already proved this season why he’s been one of the top players in the country. Especially near the end of the game, he showed not only how good of a player he is, but how clutch of a player he can be.
Early on though, it looked like the Coyotes might have come in with the perfect game plan. Miller was really uncomfortable early, constantly under pressure on his face. In fact, he didn’t even throw for a single yard until the second quarter. He was struggling and USD had him searching for answers.
But he eventually began to thrive, especially as he started to utilize his legs. He extended plays and had the Coyote defense on their toes for most of the game after the first quarter. But he really shined in the fourth quarter when it mattered most. Throughout the final 15 minutes, NDSU faced numerous third and fourth downs that if not converted, would have given the Coyotes a lot of momentum.
However, every time NDSU needed a big play, the ball was in Miller’s hands. So, why is it so significant that I discuss the losing team’s quarterback? Well, that’s because if the hopes of a national title are to come to fruition, it’s likely USD will have to overcome Miller and NDSU again in the playoffs.
USD let off the gas pedal
USD has had plenty of hot starts this season. Although most of them were against inferior teams that never really had the firepower to make a legitimate comeback attempt, a 14-0 advantage against NDSU was big nonetheless. The Coyotes could have tacked on even more as they had the ball with that 14-0 lead, but then everything got sluggish.
Offensively, the play calling went really conservative. Most play calls were runs and even when passes were called, they weren’t being executed to a high level. NDSU was also starting to get some pressure on both run and pass protection. Runs became shorter and Aidan Bouman had less time to throw. That sluggishness also extended into the second half.
On the other side of the ball, the Coyote defense learned why Miller has been one of the best players in the country this season. I went into more detail above, but I’ll summarize once again. Up front, the line was still putting a lot of pressure on Miller, but his legs were keeping plenty of plays alive. Those extended plays were putting more pressure on the secondary to stay in coverage, and it didn’t always last.
But, even though the Coyotes didn’t keep their foot on the Bison’s throat after amassing a 14-point advantage, it didn’t cost them the game. However, if USD meets another top-tier opponent like NDSU again in the playoffs and jumps out to an advantage, it will be all the more important that a lead doesn’t slip away.
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