S.D. college football capsules

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The South Dakota State University football team finally broke into the win column last week.

The Jackrabbits avoided the program’s first 0-5 start by knocking off 20th-ranked Western Illinois 33-29 at home last Saturday.

However, another ranked opponent awaits SDSU in defending Missouri Valley Football Conference champion Southern Illinois at 2 p.m. today at Saluki Stadium in Carbondale, Ill.

The matchup is the third between the two schools with No. 15 Southern Illinois winning the previous two.

The Jackrabbits (1-2 MVFC, 1-4 overall) scored three fourth-quarter touchdowns with the game-winner coming on a 13-yard touchdown pass from Thomas O’Brien to Colin Cochart with 1 minute, 36 seconds remaining in last week’s victory before a Beef Bowl crowd of 11,353.

Southern Illinois has been a perennial conference contender and enters with a 3-3 record, including a 2-1 mark in the conference.

Northern Iowa University

at University of South Dakota

A heartbreaking 17-13 loss at University of California-Davis last week means the University of South Dakota football team will look to rebound against No. 22 Northern Iowa at 4:05 p.m. today at the DakotaDome.

Key turnovers and penalties proved crucial for the Coyotes, who dropped to 1-1 in the Great West Conference and 3-3 overall.

USD running back Chris Ganious ran for 142 yards, but a fourth-quarter touchdown from NIU doomed the Coyotes despite getting a chance to win the game in the final two minutes.

Northern Iowa comes into the contest after falling to Southern Illinois 45-38 last Saturday. The Panthers are 2-3 overall with a 2-1 record in the MVFC.

Augustana College at

Winona State University

The unbeaten season continues for Augustana College.

The Vikings are 6-0 overall and 5-0 in the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference. They’ll put that record on the line when they travel to Winona State (Minn.) for a 1 p.m. game on today at Verizon Wireless Stadium.

Augustana, ranked No. 14 in the country, edged winless Northern State 31-15 last Saturday. The Vikings haven’t started this strong since going 8-0 in 1942.

Winona State is 4-2, but was dominated 59-17 last week in a loss to Minnesota-Duluth.

Northern State University at University of Minnesota-Crookston

The Northern State University football team has struggled offensively, but could get back on track at the University of Minnesota, Crookston at 1 p.m. today.

The Wolves were led last week by Mark Hanley, who caught both touchdowns despite NSU dropping to 0-6 on the season.

Minnesota-Crookston (1-5) fell 56-19 to Upper Iowa last week and has allowed at least 42 points in five straight NSIC games.

Morningside College at

University of Sioux Falls

The top-ranked NAIA team in the country continued its strong season last week, dominating Briar Cliff (Iowa) 66-21 in a Great Plains Athletic Conference game.

Sioux Falls racked up four touchdowns in the first quarter and led 52-13 at halftime. Quarterback Jon Eastman threw four TD passes, three to receiver Jon Bryan, who finished with five catches for 146 yards.

Sioux Falls puts its record on the line against No. 4-ranked Morningside College at 5:35 p.m. today in Sioux Falls. Both Schools are 6-0 and have a 2.5 game lead in the GPAC.

Dakota State University

at Valley City State

The Trojans remain winless on the year, but did score a season high in points in a 35-19 loss to Minot State (N.D.) last week.

This week, Dakota State goes to Dakota Athletic Conference rival Valley City State (N.D.) for a 1:30 p.m. game today.

Valley City State (1-5) fell 31-10 to Black Hills State last Saturday.

South Dakota School of Mines

at Minot State University

South Dakota Mines (5-1) hopes to improve on its 5-1 record when it visits Minot State (N.D.) for a DAC game at 1:30 p.m. today at Herb Parker Stadium.

SDM got a big win last week, downing Jamestown College (N.D.) 31-7.

MSU (4-0 DAC, 4-2 overall) topped Dakota State 35-19.

Black Hills State University

at Dickinson State University

The Yellow Jackets look for their sixth consecutive win after an 0-1 start when play at Dickinson State (N.D.) at 2:30 p.m. today at the Badlands Activities Center.

Black Hills State cruised over Valley City State 31-10 last week.

Dickinson State, the only unbeaten team in the conference, improved to 6-0 by beating Mayville State (N.D.) 37-7.

Tags: college football, sports, jacks, coyotes