2019 Season

[gopheryote]

After doing this exercise, I really like the Yotes schedule - if the OL can gel and everyone stays reasonably healthy. I'm also assuming the dome will be a very tough place to play with the construction, though it is also possible it will be easier to play there (less noise, etc.)

1. Ill St 9-3 (6-2) (@siu, @wiu)
1. Yotes 9-3 (6-2) (@uni, @ndsu)
3. NDSU 8-4 (5-3) (@ill St, @sdsu, @ysu)
3. Ind St 7-5 (5-3) (USD, Ill St, SDSU)
5. SDSU 6-6 (4-4) (@ysu, @msu, Ill St, usd)
5. WIU 7-5 (4-4) (@ind St, usd, @ndsu, @uni)
7. SIU 6-6 (3-5) (@sdsu, usd, @ind St, @wiu, NDSU)
7. YSU 6-6 (3-5) (@siu, WIU, usd, @ind St, Ill St)
9. UNI 5-7 (2-6) (YSU, @ndsu, @msu, @ill St, Ind St, @sdsu)
9. MSU 3-8 (2-6) (@wiu, USD, @ndsu, @siu, @ill St, Ind St)


Obviously I really favored the home teams. And giving 4 wins to the bottom two teams really tightens up the entire race.

[yoteforever]

Aug 16, 2019 9:08:49 GMT -6 gopheryote said:

After doing this exercise, I really like the Yotes schedule - if the OL can gel and everyone stays reasonably healthy. I'm also assuming the dome will be a very tough place to play with the construction, though it is also possible it will be easier to play there (less noise, etc.)

1. Ill St 9-3 (6-2) (@siu, @wiu)
1. Yotes 9-3 (6-2) (@uni, @ndsu)
3. NDSU 8-4 (5-3) (@ill St, @sdsu, @ysu)
3. Ind St 7-5 (5-3) (USD, Ill St, SDSU)
5. SDSU 6-6 (4-4) (@ysu, @msu, Ill St, usd)
5. WIU 7-5 (4-4) (@ind St, usd, @ndsu, @uni)
7. SIU 6-6 (3-5) (@sdsu, usd, @ind St, @wiu, NDSU)
7. YSU 6-6 (3-5) (@siu, WIU, usd, @ind St, Ill St)
9. UNI 5-7 (2-6) (YSU, @ndsu, @msu, @ill St, Ind St, @sdsu)
9. MSU 3-8 (2-6) (@wiu, USD, @ndsu, @siu, @ill St, Ind St)


Obviously I really favored the home teams. And giving 4 wins to the bottom two teams really tightens up the entire race.

If anywhere close to being correct, and I like the analogy, it shows how incredibly balanced the league is. Wow

[gopheryote]

Moved to other thread.

[yotefbfan]

OK here is my best guess on the season when looking at the MVFC schedules.

1. Ill St 11-1 (7-1) (SDSU) - Very good team with a chance to run the table on their non-conference games. Glad we do not have them on the schedule.

2. SDSU 10-2 (7-1) (UNI) - If they can solve the QB question, let's be honest they are going to be very good. If they have some struggles along the way we could upset them at our place at the end of the year.

3. NDSU 10-2 (6-2) (ILL St, SDSU) - Yes they just reload, but they also have a big question at QB and practically a completely new coaching staff. Still, a great team just not what they have been in the past.

4. USD 8-4 (5-3) (SDSU, NDSU, UNI) See below

5. UNI 7-5 (5-3) (ISU, MSU, NDSU) As normal a very good team that finds ways to lose. Might go undefeated at home this year, but could also drop every game on the road.

6. IND St 7-5 (4-4) (SDSU, Ill St, UNI, USD) Let's get real, do not buy into the hype. Ind St. had 4 of their wins last year by 5pts or less, including their 2OT victory over us. They were underrated and surprised teams last year, that will not be the case this year. They have a favorable home schedule this year and I think they will do well in their nonconference schedule, but they could also be 0-4 as well coming into the MVFC schedule. Can't wait to see them in the dome this year, I think the outcome will be much different than last year.

7. SIU 5-7 (3-5) (Ill St, NDSU, IND St,USD, SDSU) This team can always surprise people, they once again have transfers to help build their team, they just can't find consistency. I am glad we get them at home.

8. YSU 4-8 (1-7) (Ill St, NDSU, SDSU, Ind St, UNI, USD, SIU) Really tough home schedule, fairly easy nonconference schedule could give them some good momentum, but just do not see them have a good year.

9. WIU 3-9 (1-7) (Ill St, USD, SIU, Ind St, NDSU, UNI, YSU) No more players left from the Nielson years, a few years of poor recruiting and the loss of some really good players will drop WIU to the bottom of the MVFC.

10. MSU 1-10 (1-7) (Ill St, USD, SDSU, Ind St, NDSU, SIU, WIU) Tough home schedule, Only 3 nonconference games and very well could lose all 3 to start the year. Could be a long season for the Bears.

Keys for USD

1. O-line - We need this group to be better than last year. They do not have to be great, but they do need to be at least average. Their success means keeping Simmons upright and having time to pick apart defenses. Their ability to run block can help improve this part of the game and give us greater balance. All of that means that we improve our time of possession, which gives our defense more rest and makes that unit better. Can't remember ever seeing the success of a team so dependent on a single unit. I think there is some talent in the unit, just young and inexperienced.

2. Limit injuries - Like any year injuries will occur, the question is when do they happen and how many key players do we lose? Last year we lost the starting center prior to game #1 and that had an effect on the entire season for the o-line. Kody Case not at 100% was a big impact. Injuries in the defensive backfield also hurt but did help develop depth for this year. As Nielson continues to improve recruiting, our depth continues to get better where we can overcome injuries, but we still have some areas that are thin if the injury bug hits.

3, New Defensive Coordinator - While we have many good players on this side of the ball and I am confident that we will be a good defensive team, the potential for us to be great defensively depends on how the team responds to Coach Johansen. He has some new approaches that could create issues for the rest of the MVFC.

4. Leadership - If I can be critical of one thing last year it was the hole left by Streveler and the lack of leadership we had. While we had some nice players last year that have graduated, they just were not the leaders we needed to help a young team find success. Other than a few players, this is the first team that is a majority of Nielson recruits.

I feel we are a playoff team that could establish that we belong in the top tier of the MVFC. There should be a lot of optimism based on talent and experience alone. Is it important to get off to a good start with a win over Montana, of course, but we can overcome a loss as well. Coming out of Oklahoma in one pice will also be important. We need to defend the dome and get those wins while finding a few wins on the road.

[yoteforever]

Aug 18, 2019 9:29:02 GMT -6 yotefbfan said:

OK here is my best guess on the season when looking at the MVFC schedules.

1. Ill St 11-1 (7-1) (SDSU) - Very good team with a chance to run the table on their non-conference games. Glad we do not have them on the schedule.

2. SDSU 10-2 (7-1) (UNI) - If they can solve the QB question, let's be honest they are going to be very good. If they have some struggles along the way we could upset them at our place at the end of the year.

3. NDSU 10-2 (6-2) (ILL St, SDSU) - Yes they just reload, but they also have a big question at QB and practically a completely new coaching staff. Still, a great team just not what they have been in the past.

4. USD 8-4 (5-3) (SDSU, NDSU, UNI) See below

5. UNI 7-5 (5-3) (ISU, MSU, NDSU) As normal a very good team that finds ways to lose. Might go undefeated at home this year, but could also drop every game on the road.

6. IND St 7-5 (4-4) (SDSU, Ill St, UNI, USD) Let's get real, do not buy into the hype. Ind St. had 4 of their wins last year by 5pts or less, including their 2OT victory over us. They were underrated and surprised teams last year, that will not be the case this year. They have a favorable home schedule this year and I think they will do well in their nonconference schedule, but they could also be 0-4 as well coming into the MVFC schedule. Can't wait to see them in the dome this year, I think the outcome will be much different than last year.

7. SIU 5-7 (3-5) (Ill St, NDSU, IND St,USD, SDSU) This team can always surprise people, they once again have transfers to help build their team, they just can't find consistency. I am glad we get them at home.

8. YSU 4-8 (1-7) (Ill St, NDSU, SDSU, Ind St, UNI, USD, SIU) Really tough home schedule, fairly easy nonconference schedule could give them some good momentum, but just do not see them have a good year.

9. WIU 3-9 (1-7) (Ill St, USD, SIU, Ind St, NDSU, UNI, YSU) No more players left from the Nielson years, a few years of poor recruiting and the loss of some really good players will drop WIU to the bottom of the MVFC.

10. MSU 1-10 (1-7) (Ill St, USD, SDSU, Ind St, NDSU, SIU, WIU) Tough home schedule, Only 3 nonconference games and very well could lose all 3 to start the year. Could be a long season for the Bears.

Keys for USD

1. O-line - We need this group to be better than last year. They do not have to be great, but they do need to be at least average. Their success means keeping Simmons upright and having time to pick apart defenses. Their ability to run block can help improve this part of the game and give us greater balance. All of that means that we improve our time of possession, which gives our defense more rest and makes that unit better. Can't remember ever seeing the success of a team so dependent on a single unit. I think there is some talent in the unit, just young and inexperienced.

2. Limit injuries - Like any year injuries will occur, the question is when do they happen and how many key players do we lose? Last year we lost the starting center prior to game #1 and that had an effect on the entire season for the o-line. Kody Case not at 100% was a big impact. Injuries in the defensive backfield also hurt but did help develop depth for this year. As Nielson continues to improve recruiting, our depth continues to get better where we can overcome injuries, but we still have some areas that are thin if the injury bug hits.

3, New Defensive Coordinator - While we have many good players on this side of the ball and I am confident that we will be a good defensive team, the potential for us to be great defensively depends on how the team responds to Coach Johansen. He has some new approaches that could create issues for the rest of the MVFC.

4. Leadership - If I can be critical of one thing last year it was the hole left by Streveler and the lack of leadership we had. While we had some nice players last year that have graduated, they just were not the leaders we needed to help a young team find success. Other than a few players, this is the first team that is a majority of Nielson recruits.

I feel we are a playoff team that could establish that we belong in the top tier of the MVFC. There should be a lot of optimism based on talent and experience alone. Is it important to get off to a good start with a win over Montana, of course, but we can overcome a loss as well. Coming out of Oklahoma in one pice will also be important. We need to defend the dome and get those wins while finding a few wins on the road.

On yotefbfan’s keys for USD I would say this.

#1....,,Absolutely 110%. Critical. Must be

#2....Always gonna be the case but seems like we’ve been nipped harder than most the past 3-4 years. Our strength coach has worked HARD on fixing this

#3....,,From sources in football outside of USD they say he is truly an up and comer. He has that swag to him. Will be a head coach someday

#4.....You May be critical. Last years team had no leadership at all. None. My biggest criticism, more important than O-line play. IT MUST BE THERE THIS YEAR TO WIN (and I think it is... we’ll see )

Probably the only thing I might differ on is if we lose to Montana, then we have to be 6-2 in the MVFC to make playoffs. Possible? Of course....but tough. I think we need the win against Montana to prove to our own guys they can play with top level FCS teams. That’s where the leadership starts. Never ever underestimate the value of teams with strong leadership. The locker room needs it bad.

[yotefan]

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.

[easmus]

It was increased last year to 25% of proceeds go to HP

[yotefan]

Even better!

[coyotecrazie5]

STATS FCS Preview of USD

OUTLOOK: USD has the talent to be a playoff squad, like in 2017, but the schedule has difficult bookends - Montana and Oklahoma to start it and North Dakota State and South Dakota State to end it. The Montana and SDSU games are at the DakotaDome, where the Coyotes are 13-7 the past four seasons. New defensive coordinator Travis Johansen is tasked with reworking a defense that struggled against the run, which led to the Coyotes surrendering 34.2 points per game (95th in the FCS). All-America DE Greenfield enters his final season with 41 tackles for loss, 19 sacks and 33 QB hurries, while FS Powell's return after an injury-plagued season is important. With a lot back in the offensive skills positions, led by QB Simmons (MVFC-high 314.2 total yards per game), the offense figures to be explosive.



Missouri Valley preview: www.fcs.football/cfb/story.asp?i=20190822093812874170004&ref=rec&tm=&src=FCS

[yanktonyote]

Coyote Football Alumni,

It’s been a challenging first two weeks of the season as we dropped our home opener to a good Montana team 31-17 and then lost again this past Saturday to a high-powered Oklahoma squad in front of 85,000 fans.

I was proud of the way our guys battled the Sooners and felt we played a highly competitive first half against what may well be the country’s best offensive football team. Down 21-0 late in the second quarter we drove the ball deep into Oklahoma territory only to fumble and turn the ball over. Oklahoma responded with a two-minute drive that made the score 28-0 at the half. Unfortunately, we started slow in the second half as an Austin Simmons interception was returned for a touchdown during our first series and Oklahoma added a big play score on its next possession. We moved the ball well in the third quarter, scoring touchdowns on back to back possessions to make the score 56-14 and had a third drive end with an interception in Oklahoma territory.

While the score was lopsided, our team showed improvement in many areas. Our offensive line continues to improve and Simmons had a good game going 25-34 for 250 yards passing yards and two touchdowns. Defensively, we showed flashes and were good at times but found difficulty getting Oklahoma’s offense off the field at critical times. Our kicking game continued to be solid, led by kicker Mason Lorber and punter Brady Schutt.

This week we return home to play Houston Baptist who is currently 1-1 on the year. The Huskies are a member of the Southland Conference (same league as Nicholls State and Sam Houston State who we played in 2017 national playoffs). They return 20 starters from their 2018 team and are led by one the league’s top quarterbacks. They are a tempo offensive team who will throw the ball 40 times per game.

We will need to show improved defensive play on the perimeter and be much more consistent offensively. We hope to regain the services of junior cornerback Mark Collins who missed the game Saturday due to injury.

Congratulations and thanks to the Coyote Brotherhood alumni group who raised over $39,000 during the month of August for football scholarships. What a tremendous response to the challenge and shows once again what a special place USD truly is.

Hope to see at the game in the Dome this week. Fight South Dakota.



Bob Nielson

Head Football Coach

University of South Dakota

[phone]

Bob Signature



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[DuluthYote91]

Dear Bob
Please fire your defensive coach. Done. Period. Over.

[bisonbacker]

Aug 6, 2019 19:01:19 GMT -6 Iceman said:

I hope this is only a rumor and someone can squash it in a hurry, but heard a nasty rumor that we might be moving the Dakota Days game to Sioux Falls?

Serious question and no smack intended but if that's true the real question is.....Why would you want to showcase what you have put on the field in front of more people? What the hell is going on down there with your football team?

[elcoyote]

Sept 15, 2019 6:10:38 GMT -6 bisonbacker said:

Aug 6, 2019 19:01:19 GMT -6 Iceman said:

I hope this is only a rumor and someone can squash it in a hurry, but heard a nasty rumor that we might be moving the Dakota Days game to Sioux Falls?

Serious question and no smack intended but if that's true the real question is.....Why would you want to showcase what you have put on the field in front of more people? What the hell is going on down there with your football team?

No the Dakota Days game is not being moved to Sioux Falls and as for your second question ... that's what a lot of us want to know.

[easmus]

Will we win a game this season? I’m honestly not sure.

[Yotes]

Sept 15, 2019 21:21:17 GMT -6 easmus said:

Will we win a game this season? I’m honestly not sure.

Probably. If we figure things out on defense I could see the team going 3-9. Even if we don't then there's got to be at least one win in the schedule, just don't ask me to predict which one it would be.

Northern Colorado did just lose to Sacramento St 50-0. Let's start there.