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Coyotes look to protect the Dome Earl to make his second career start, but came in late versus Sycamores last year Grant Bosiacki The Volante
Fans watched last week as the University of South Dakota football players and coaches jumped up and down in excitement as the clock hit 00:00. Head coach Joe Glenn and the football team finally got over the hump by beating Missouri State 17-14 Saturday, marking the school’s first ever win in the Missouri Valley Conference. Glenn didn’t hold back his excitement “I’m really happy, obviously,” Glenn said. “I’ve never won a game in this league before, so that’s a first. We’re all really happy.” However, the celebration is over, and the team is back to business. Up next on the team’s schedule is the Indiana State Sycamores. For the Coyotes (2-3), not only is this a home game, where they are 2-0 on the season, but also a game versus a team with an inferior record. The Sycamores come to Vermillion with a 1-4 record, falling 35-24 to Youngstown State (5-1) last week. Despite their record, firstyear running back Trevor Bouma said the Coyotes view them as a very solid team. “We’re in the Dome so we view this as a great opportunity to get to .500,” Bouma said. “But their record doesn’t speak
“ (Indiana State’s) record doesn’t speak for how good they are. They’re a great 1-4 team if that makes sense.” — First-year running back Trevor Bouma on the talent of Indiana State
for how good they are. They’re a great 1-4 team, if that makes sense.” Indiana State’s lone victory came against Divison II Quincy University in a 70-7 clobbering Sept. 14. While that was their sole win, the Sycamores gave Big Ten school Purdue a run for its money Sept. 7, losing just 20-14. Another close loss came against Tennessee Tech Sept. 28, losing 38-37. The showdown this Saturday will mark the first time the Sycamores have played in the DakotaDome and only the second time the two schools have met. In 2012, the Coyotes fell 45-14 in the first meeting between the two teams in Terre Haute, Ind. The Sycamores jumped out to a 21-0 lead after the first quarter and never looked back. However, this will not be the first time Indiana State defenders will have seen newly named starting quarterback sophomore Kevin Earl.
The then back up quarterback, Earl replaced starter Josh Vander Maten mid-way through the 2012 game, throwing for over 100 yards and a score. Now a sophomore, Earl made his first collegiate start last week, throwing for 159 yards and a score. Vander Maten, a junior, switched over to wide receiver and showed his athleticism on a 17-yard end around run. Earl said making his second career start is exciting, and he feels less nervous after last week’s outing. “It definitely helped getting that first start under my belt,” Earl said. “My nerves are a lot more calm now, and being at home definitely will help.” Earl also said playing in front of the home crowd for the second week in a row helps out everyone. “We were on the road for four weeks, so being home for a second week in a row now is nice,” Earl said. “I’m looking forward to continue winning inside the DakotaDome.”
Malachi petersen/ the volante
Junior defensive back Steve Tellefson breaks up a pass during the Coyotes win versus Missouri State on Oct. 5. Sophomore Keyen Lage was in on the break-up as well.
Getting some experience last year versus the Sycamores should also benefit, he said. “Last year, they had a great defense,” Earl said. “This time around we want to con-
trol the ball and attack them when we can. What will be big is to keep their offense off the field.” After the game against Indiana State the Coyotes will hit
the road to take on Northern Iowa Oct. 19.
Reach reporter Grant Bosiacki at Grant.Bosiacki@coyotes.usd.edu
Swim: More depth Men’s: New identity on the court compared to last year Continued from page B1
Continued from page B4 see mature and grow every time we go out. Our big focus this year is doing things the right way the first time,” Mahowald said. “We’ve got a very talented freshman/sophomore class right now that we’re working with. They’re starting to fit in really well.” Junior swimmer Colin Krysl said the strong first-year class should help the team become more balanced, which hurt last year when the team finished last at the conference meet. “Our team has lacked depth in certain places,” Krysl said. “Sometimes we’ll have to put middle to distance swimmers in sprinter spots because they have faster times. We really just need to improve everywhere so we don’t have to mix up our lineups.” Last year’s poor finish at conference on the men’s side isn’t what Mahowald remembers. Mahowald said the team had one of its better days but just weren’t able to have everything to work out perfectly.
Mahowald has a number of swimmers he believes will make big impacts this season, starting with returning divers Dustin Gens and Megan Chmielewski. With each coming off high finishes at conference last year, the two divers are expected to set the tone for the rest of the team. From there, a number of other athletes are expected to step up and help the team improve immensely, according to Mahowald. First-years Allie Pfauth and Jacob Knowles have already made a splash in the coach’s eyes, and Penn State transfer Courtney Shepler will help the Coyotes immediately. “I can tell you I think this is a better team and a more talented team than we had a year ago,” Mahowald said. “We just have some really strong athletes. At this point, I think they’re doing a really good job. There’s still work to be done.”
Reach reporter Natan Ellenbecker at Nathan.Ellenbecker@coyotes.usd.edu
“And those two should be able to get 13-14 points per game between the two of them.” One familiar face for the Coyotes will be senior center Trevor Gruis who, along with Myles, was the only other Coyote to start all 30 games in 201213. Gruis averaged 12.3 points per game and 6.1 rebounds per game last season, earning fourth-team All-Summit League honors. “Trevor has taken some big steps for us,” James said. “We’ll lean heavily on him; he’s going to be a leader for us. He’s a guy that has to demand the ball more, so he has to make sure to get his post touches.” Last year’s Coyotes team struggled in conference play, posting a 5-12 record against conference foes. “In the Summit League, it’s pretty even top-to-bottom,” Gruis said. “Last year we lost seven games by five or less points, and that comes down to a couple possessions going either way. We just have to figure out how to finish those games.” The Coyotes made it to the
conference tournament last year in Sioux Falls as a seventh seed. The Coyotes fell in a heartbreaker to second-ranked Western Illinois 54-53. This year the Coyotes, now two years removed from the transition to Division I, face yet again another strong conference and non-conference schedule. “We want to win the conference, and most importantly we want to win the conference tournament and get into the NCAA Tournament,” Bos said. “It’s a long way away. Right now we’re focusing Nov. 9 (against St. Bonaventure).” This year the Coyotes travel across the country and back before playing a home game, includFile Photo ing stops in New York Junior Brandon Bos drives by Nate Wolter of SDSU last year. USD lost and Texas. The Coyotes 67-54. non-conference schedule also includes two games ture on Nov. 9, the Coyotes have petitive, which is what a coach against Wyoming (one in Rapid over 20 more practices to pre- wants,” James said. City), Kansas State, Texas State, pare. and Air Force. “Practices have been comReach reporter Josh Jorgensen Before playing St. Bonaven- petitive, I mean very, very comat Josh.Jorgensen@coyotes.usd.edu
Women: Goal is to win conference tournament in 2013 Continued from page B1 The team ended last year by losing to McNeese State 71-63 in the Women’s Baskball Invitational (WBI) Championship. Loeffler said they learned a lot by playing in the WBI, but it left the team wanting more.
“Being in the WBI was a great opportunity and gave us postseason play,” Loeffler said. “But we’re looking to get to that next tier, we want to make the NCAA Tournament.” Williams agreed with Loeffler, saying the goal is always to make the NCAA Tournament.
“Our goal is to win the conference championship. That’s always going to be one of our goals,” Williams said. “We want to raise the bar, and the only way to do that is to go out and win the conference.” But as for now, Williams said the team needs to continue getting better every
time they touch the floor. Williams said that will be the key to playing good basketball. The team has been practicing for just over a week now and won’t see its first game until Nov. 8, when it travels to California to take on Cal State Fullerton. Other notable games on the schedule
include road games against three tournament teams from last year: Nebraska, Creighton and Iowa State. Their rematch versus SDSU won’t come until Feb. 2, 2014 when they will travel to Brookings. Seekamp said the rematch against SDSU is already on many players’ minds.
“It’s on the minds of a lot of players on the team,” Seekamp said. “But we have to focus on ourselves and not to worry about them. For now we’ll take it one game at a time.”
Reach reporter Grant.Bosiacki at Grant.Bosiacki@coyotes.usd.edu
South Dakota athletics excel in and out of classroom NICK ROBINSON is a first-year majoring in contemporary media and journalism. Earl named starting quarterback The University of South Dakota football team finally made a switch at quarterback for the Dakota Days game amidst controversy early in the season. Sophomore Kevin Earl was given
the nod after 88 yards passing in the fourth quarter of last Saturday’s 24-10 loss against Western Illinois. Former quarterback Josh Vander Maten has been moved to wide receiver and possibly kick/punt returner. What I think: This is a move that has been anticipated. I think this is the best move the coaching staff could do. Bringing someone in like Earl, who is a threat through the air, will open up the running game as well. I also think getting Vander Maten the ball through the air will help the offense even more. Earl played about as
well as one could expect in his first game, going 22 for 35, 159 yards and one touchdown. I am expecting the offense to improve quite a bit. Senior runner Jeff Mettler battling through injury. The Coyotes’ best men’s cross country runner, senior Jeff Mettler, is battling an undisclosed leg injury. Mettler was the USD’s Men’s Athlete of the Year in 2012-13. What I think: In order for the running Coyotes to have success this season, it will start and end on the legs of Mettler. If Mettler can come
back healthy, look out for the cross country squad.
the Coyotes to continue to improve on the diamond.
Coyote softball excelling in the classroom The University of South Dakota softball team has been a prestigious academic team this season. They finished in the top-ten among all Division 1 teams with a softball program. What I think: Athletes are students. This proves athletes perform in and out of the classroom. Not only does this look great for the softball program but the university too. I expect to see the same outcome this season and for
Swimming and diving gearing up for season The Coyote Swimming and diving season is ready to start. USD will compete in Mankato on Oct. 12. What I think: After a disappointing season last year, the Coyotes needed a fresh start. The men’s squad finished last in the Summit League a year ago, so it can only go up from here. I expect to see improvement in the pool this season. Coyote volleyball ready for
Summit League tests The South Dakota volleyball squad took down rivals North Dakota State and South Dakota State this past weekend. What I think: There is nothing better than taking it to your rivals. The Coyotes managed to win each match 3-1, making a statement. Hopefully they can avoid the road woes they have faced this season. But so far, the 13-6 Coyotes are looking awfully impressive.
Reach reporter Nick Robinson at Nick.Robinson@coyotes.usd.edu