It’s officially Valley play.
The Coyotes head to Youngstown at 3-1 for a ranked matchup against No. 11 Youngstown State and reigning Walter Payton Award winner #12 Beau Brungard.
USD finally broke through at the Ice Castle in 2024 after starting 0-6 there all-time.
This thread will be stickied all week for everything surrounding South Dakota at Youngstown State — news, matchups, predictions and game-day discussion.
Youngstown State Preview:
GAME WEEK: From the Blue Turf to the Ice Castle
USD at Youngstown State Game Hub:
GAME CENTER
A few questions to get us started:
1. What’s the biggest key to containing Beau Brungard?
2. Can USD get the run game back on track?
3. Who needs to have a big game Saturday?
4. Score predictions?
No. 8 South Dakota at No. 11 Youngstown State
Saturday | 1:00 PM CT | ESPN+
Let’s talk Yotes. 🐺
Reddit FCS has this matchup as a true pick em game (YSU favored by 0.1 point!!!). YSU will be desperate for a win to avoid starting Valley play at 0-2. Yotes will need to bring their best to come out with a W!!!
There is something different in the air in the Dome. Last saturday didnt discourage this team, but proved their belief to be real. Every game is a playoff game for this team and they know what a 1 or 2 seed could do for them. I think you will see something a little different out of the offense now. Even vs. Boise, it was pretty generic plays and they have yet to get crazy. Modrzewski’s keeper is available and we have seen it once. We have barely seen USD move the pocket and create extended opportunities.
I need to see success running the ball between the tackles this week. If we are able to utilize the run game to create the tempo we want, we will coast to a W.
The name I will be watching closely is Carson Fletcher. If he can have 5+ carries, we will have it locked up
34-20 Yotes
I love that this is a bounce back week for both teams. If there is one thing I feel we do well, it’s responding. YSU was my preseason favorite, I think SUPER highly of Beau Brungard and that offense. I have come to really like this coyotes defense.
Brungard will do his thing and this could be a shootout. If we can’t keep a spy or the pocket closing in from all directions.
This is a great weekend to get our run game back together. YSU defense doesn’t scare me like the offense does. I feel like opportunities is the best way to get them going in the run game.
No clue who needs to have the bigger game. Defense hold them and offense can take over, otherwise offensive shootout needs to be explosive play after explosive play.
i see this high scoring, but trust our defense.
Yotes 41-27
1. Sticking to the basics and to their assignments. The defensive staff puts together a great game plan each week. You can see the successes of the defense when they stick to their assignments and “don’t get out of character” , as the coaches would say.. It starts upfront with the Dline applying pressure and getting Beau out of rhythm. Wade / Harrison and Cain will need to be on their A-game if Gabe is still dealing with his knee from BSU. YSU has a great WR corps. The Yotes can’t get hung up on Beau and allow multiple big passing plays.
2. Yes, USD will “get back on track” with the rushing attack. BSU was stacking the box last week, which made it tough to run the ball. I’m not too concerned, since BSU is best defense USD will face this year. 250 yard per game in Valley play!! Is this the game where we’ll see CP3, Key and Carson all rush for 100+ yards? My Spidey senses are telling me it could be!!
3. Chris Dixon needs to have a huge game. If Big Dix and the Dline get going… YSU better watch out! I like what I’m seeing from Starman and Isaiah recently. I believe this is the game where Chris comes out and collects a few sacks.
4. USD wins, 42-17
The Coyote Den
#GOYOTES