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Post by yotefan on Nov 6, 2019 9:42:02 GMT -6
Now that is some next level logistics by kiyoat right there. Good stuff.
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Post by yotefan on Nov 2, 2019 15:20:56 GMT -6
I would be in favor of doing away with the SD AARP sponsorship first so I don't have to hear that life is better after 50 any more. Same goes for the red zone schtick too. Good Lord.
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Post by yotefan on Oct 28, 2019 12:24:47 GMT -6
OBC nailed it. I cringed during Gameday when Tom Rinaldi announced that SDSU was "the best football team in South Dakota." The truth hurts and, at this time, it is hard to argue with that statement.
The biggest rivalry in the Valley and FCS right now is NDSU v. SDSU. As Stig said, they created the Dakota Marker rivalry in 2004 because each school "needed each other." The result is State seems to give NDSU their best shot and sometimes pulls it off and their fans love it and the players on both sides get amped up. All for a 75lb replica survey marker and bragging rights. The all-time series between NDSU and SDSU after Saturday is now 63-42-5. The all time series before our final game with State this year is 55-52-7 with SDSU having the current edge. This is with USD only beating State something like 3 times since 1990. The status quo can, does, and will shift. But, it won't shift in USD's favor until and unless something changes.
Since our move to D-1, I have attended nearly every signing day party and followed nearly every verbal commitment on our first fan board and now this one, watched more hudl film than a non-coach should, and thought "this is the season" as much as anyone. I have invested in the Howling Pack, served on its board as a member and a former President, purchased season tickets, skipped out on invitations to hunt and attend family functions, screamed until I lost my voice until Tuesday, tailgated in rain and snow, all to support a team that I never played for, but will support and love the rest of my life. My wardrobe is Coyote red and while I don't pull a Jackrabbit and turn my family of 5 loose on Sunday at church in our best game day attire, we wear our USD gear with pride.
My two cent observation at this time is this: The athleticism and desire to win has been there for years. Financial support from our athletic department and fans has been there for years. The "extras" and "amenities" a successful program needs to recruit have been there and only get better every year. Soon, they will be second to none with the completion of the Dakota Dome renovations. The discipline and focus needed to succeed however, are consistently not there. Look no further than needless penalties, self-induced mistakes, and momentary lacks in judgment that have cost us wins. Time. And Time. Again.
During Gameday, Stig noted that each new player in the program gets a "MAD" Manual. It stands for Make A Difference. It details the culture of State, presumably everything from "flannel Friday" to "muscle milk Wednesday" at the Dairy Barn, to "how to cramp like champ." It outlines expectations of players and explains what it means to be a part of that team. The rationale? It outlines the culture of their program and how each player can make a difference for the bunnies and help their team win. His point in doing so is that no one guy can do it all, but each guy can do something to make a difference.
I hate to admit it, but USD lacks that same level of commitment to TEAM over self. We can put "The Strength of the Pack is the Coyote and the Strength of the Coyote is the Pack" on the big screen all we want, but it is all talk until we actually show it. Our basketball teams are doing it, our volleyball team is doing it, our track and cross country teams are doing it. It seems everyone has been doing it, except football. Don't like it? Be the change that makes the difference. We as fans can't do it. It starts on the field and in the locker room. Like a lot of you, I loved sports and played everything I could in high school. Unlike a lot of you, I was average at best, but I loved my team-mates and I loved being a part of something bigger than me. I love USD and am proud to be a small part of a great university and a great athletic tradition. Even if I am just a guy in the stands, I will still do my part and scream like hell, wear red, and support this team. With 4 games to go, I hope to see something that gives me a reason to lose my voice again this season.
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Post by yotefan on Oct 22, 2019 8:06:17 GMT -6
Excited for this one. Two teams looking to make a statement and stay in the hunt. Get a win and we're tied with either SDSU or NDSU at 3-1 in the Valley with an overall record of 4-4 with 4 games to go at Western Illinois, Youngstown at home, at NDSU, and conclude with SDSU at home. Yotes gave a ranked UNI team 6 gimmes and still had a shot to win last Saturday?! Are you kidding me? This Coyote squad is loaded with talent we knew about already and is adding depth that is starting to emerge all over the place (i.e. Hillis, Connaway, Greenhaw, VanderEsch to name a few). I think this team comes out with an attitude on Saturday that sets the tone for the rest of the year. Go Yotes!
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Post by yotefan on Oct 22, 2019 7:50:29 GMT -6
Coyote Crazies need to have at least one USD flag waiving in the background for this one. If Old Crimson is there every Saturday, we ought to have a few Coyote Paws visible when Gameday is in our own backyard.
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Post by yotefan on Oct 14, 2019 20:27:44 GMT -6
Surprised that Simmons is not on this list. I just finished watching the replay of Texas v. Oklahoma from Saturday which ended with Oklahoma, now 6-0, winning 34-27. Texas QB Sam Ehlinger was 26/38 for 210 yards and 0 TDs in 4 full quarters of work. He also remarkably had 2 touchdowns on 23 carries for -9 yards or an average of-.4 yards per carry. Against Oklahoma Simmons was 25/34 for 244 yards and 2 tds, but had 2 ints. He also had 7 carriers for 28 yards with a long of 19. This was in a little over 3 quarters of work if I remember correctly before Tsagalis got a few reps. Since Oklahoma, all Simmons has done is climb the ranks in the USD and FCS record books and put up numbers that should out him in the conversation.
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Post by yotefan on Oct 2, 2019 8:00:02 GMT -6
Happy D-Days! Getting excited for Saturday.
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Post by yotefan on Oct 2, 2019 7:58:21 GMT -6
I watched College Gameday last Saturday and the crew spoke about the Houston redshirt situation. If the 2 seniors stick it out and Houston has a great 2020, it looks brilliant. If they leave via the transfer portal, well, not so much.
I have been keeping an eye on the teams that have played Oklahoma so far, in particular the passing performance of opposing team's QBs. Houston QB D'Eriq King, who is mentioned in your article was 14/27 passing for 167 yards and 2 TD against Oklahoma. UCLA QB Dorian Thompson Robinson was 15/26 passing for 201 yards, 2 TDs and 2 INTs against the Sooners. Texas Tech's QB Jett Duffey was 11/20 for 120 yards and 0 TDs and INTs against Oklahoma. USD's QB Austin Simmons was 25-34 for 244 yards and 2 TDs and 2 INTs.
What does it mean? Who knows? But I think perhaps it means our O-line, receivers, blocking running backs buying the passing time and Austin have a lot of potential and a chance to make a run in the Valley. We shall see... As has been posted already, need to take it one game at a time, because Indiana State will be giving us their best shot.
GoYotes
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Post by yotefan on Aug 31, 2019 9:13:38 GMT -6
Not to get all nostalgic, but I kinda miss Al and the GAM predictions. I don't really miss the pro-Augie and anti UND and Mpls posts though. Was a good poster until all that. Is it kickoff yet? =)
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Post by yotefan on Aug 21, 2019 15:06:51 GMT -6
Even better!
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Post by yotefan on Aug 21, 2019 11:24:28 GMT -6
I posted this in the Howling Pack section, but in case it was missed, tomorrow is the first Lunch with the U and Bob Nielson will be talking football at the 41st St. Pizza Ranch in Sioux Falls at noon. 10% of proceeds go to USD athletics. Bring a friend and enjoy what has become an annual tradition in kicking off the new football season.
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Post by yotefan on Aug 21, 2019 11:22:10 GMT -6
That time of year again. First Lunch with the U is at the 41st St. Pizza Ranch tomorrow at noon in Sioux Falls. Bob Nielson will be talking football. Bring a friend and get on the band wagon. Going to be a great year for USD sports.
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Post by yotefan on Aug 15, 2019 9:00:18 GMT -6
Nice post YF. Can't be stated enough that football and sports in general are the "front porch" of a university. Remember the days on the old fan board when we hoped for an invite to the MVC while we played in the Great West? Remember how we hoped to have quality home games against established FCS competition like Montana? We only hoped to play big name FBS competition and not get blown off the field? Remember the first years of Coyote Tail-gate nation north of the Dome? I seem to remember a certain guy talking a lot about a dream of seeing grill smoke in the air and footballs being tossed around before kickoff. =) A lot has changed for USD and it has been for the better in a very short period of time. In short, USD's football and sports trajectory in general has IMO been meteoric. We now have Montana at home set against a $26 million Dome renovation as a back drop and then we go off to Norman to play Oklahoma a week later? Dang. We have always had talented coaches, players, and recruits who are committed to making USD better and things just keep improving. The Howling Pack is rocking with record memberships and donations. Always great to be a Coyote, but I can't recall when there has ever been a better time. Excited.
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Post by yotefan on Jun 28, 2019 11:32:02 GMT -6
Off to a great start with some good looking commits. Thanks for posting these updates. Go Yotes!
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Post by yotefan on Jun 28, 2019 11:29:47 GMT -6
I always appreciate these updates. Thank you!
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