It’s North Dakota week.
The No. 8 Coyotes (6-2) return to the DakotaDome for a massive top-10 showdown against No. 6 North Dakota (6-2).
UND is coming off a 21-10 win over No. 1 SDSU, while USD escaped Murray State with a 48-20 victory after a sluggish first half.
The two programs have been battling since 1903, once playing for the historic Sitting Bull Trophy. USD has won the last three meetings, and with both teams sitting at 3-1 in the Valley, Saturday has major conference title and playoff implications.
This thread will be stickied all week for news, matchups, predictions and game-day discussion.
Inside the Pack
This week’s preview dives into the rivalry’s history, UND quarterback #1 Jerry Kaminski’s ankle injury, the uncertainty surrounding Charles Pierre Jr., and how the Coyotes match up against a UND team fresh off knocking off the No. 1 team in the country.
A few questions to get us started:
1. How concerned are you about Charles Pierre Jr.’s availability?
2. Can USD contain Kaminski and UND’s rushing attack?
3. Was the Murray State performance a cause for concern, or just an ugly win?
4. What’s the biggest key to beating UND for the fourth straight time?
5. Score predictions?
No. 6 North Dakota at No. 8 South Dakota
Saturday, October 24 | 1:00 PM CT | DakotaDome | ESPN+
The Sitting Bull Trophy might be retired.
The rivalry certainly isn’t.
Let’s talk Yotes. 🐺
Great write-ups, Felts! I do think we are focusing on the wrong QB in this matchup. Big one for the first-year starter, IMO!
1. Old man Charles will be fine to do his thing this weekend. I do think we need him to grind out a tough one this weekend, but health-wise I’m seeing a well-rested CP3 ready to dominate!
2. Kaminski looked great last weekend, but everyone in the country thought the blue school would be playing the backup. He pulled off a 2025 jackrabbit out of a hat type of trick with keeping that one quiet.
3. is the Murray state win a concern… you mean the Murray that was up 21-0 on the Hawks?
Here is the my real thoughts on this, the Yotes made great adjustments to get points on the board in the final quarter (Like we have in all 8 games). Did UND do that last weekend… NO (and they haven’t in 5 of their 8 games – including Murray St).
4. Key to the game, Austyn Modrzewski and specifically being able to beat #27 Grant Noland. Kid is a stud! If Austyn can handle the pressure and not turn the ball over we win. If they get free drives we are in trouble.
5. 42-34
We’ll need to put together our best and most complete game to win this one, and I think we should. UND is obviously playing more like how they were expected to coming into the season, and have been especially difficult to move the ball on as of late. We’ll need to scheme up some ways to loosen them up – perhaps with our elite collection of speedsters. I’d love to be wrong, but I don’t think we can expect to bully them with power running. On defense, if we’ll be in for a long day if we can’t prevent them from producing a steady rushing attack.
1. I expect Charles Pierre to play, but I’ll certainly be anxious about him holding up.
2. Our ability to contain their rushing attack is certainly the biggest question mark coming into the game. We should definitely be more stout than we were against Youngstown State, but sub-150 yards needs to be the goal. I think we’ll ultimately do enough to win, but can envision a scenario where they grind us down.
3. I’m not too worried about the Murray State game. That first interception from Austyn fueled their homecoming fire for a while, and they were able to bust two big runs that led to touchdowns on our 1’s, but we proved our dominance in the second half. I think the offense would have gained more yards in the second half if they needed to as well, but were gifted 3 very short yardage situations.
4. The biggest key to winning will be preventing a steady exhausting rushing attack. I’d rather us give up a few big runs in exchange for a mostly otherwise ineffective run game like against Murray State than get worn down by steady gains. Beyond that, winning the turnover battle will be vital. Some big special teams plays would be nice as well.
5. 37-34 USD, but if anyone wins by two scores it will be the Yotes in front of a raucous home crowd.