S.D. college football capsules

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The South Dakota State University football team’s 0-4 start was disappointing, to say the least.

However, the Jackrabbits have won two straight games and are back in the Missouri Valley Football Conference race with a 2-2 record. They host Youngstown State (Ohio) at 2 p.m. today in Brookings.

SDSU is coming off a convincing 31-10 win over No. 15 Southern Illinois last week with help from running back Kyle Minett, who rushed for a season-high 144 yards and two touchdowns. He’s had five straight 100-yard games. Derek Domino led the defense with a nine-tackle effort.

Youngstown State (3-4) enters hoping to stop a three-game skid, the last two of which were decided in the final minute. It’s the 12th meeting between the two teams and SDSU holds a 6-5 edge in the all-time series. The Jackrabbits won last year’s meeting 17-3 in Youngstown.

University of South Dakota

at Southern Utah University

The Coyotes are looking to snap a two-game losing streak when they travel to face Great West Conference foe Southern Utah at 2 p.m. today at Eccles Coliseum in Cedar City, Utah.

No. 22 Northern Iowa downed USD 19-14 last week in a game that was largely controlled by the Panthers, though USD was able to score early and take a 7-0 lead.

USD running back Chris Ganious has a good history against SUU, rushing for 167 and 193 yards in both meetings that were won by USD.

The Thunderbirds (3-4) is led by Brad Sorensen, a sophomore quarterback who has completed 63 percent of his passes and thrown for 10 touchdowns.

Augustana College at Minnesota State University-Moorhead

No. 11 Augustana is hoping to tie a school mark for best start to a season when it travels to Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference opponent Minnesota State-Moorhead for a 2 p.m. clash today at Alex Nemzek Stadium.

The Vikings are 7-0 and one more win would tie a record for best start since they went 8-0 in 1942. It would also give the team eight wins for the third straight season. Augustana beat Winona State last week in a game that saw running back Joe Clark finish with 114 yards on the ground to become the school’s all-time leading rusher.

The Dragons (2-5) look to end a three-game skid and are averaging 286 yards per game on offense this season.

University of Minnesota-Duluth

at Northern State University

The Wolves got their first win of the season last week, beating Minnesota-Crookston 38-0.

However, it will be hard to duplicate that success when NSU hosts No. 2-ranked Minnesota-Duluth at 2:30 p.m. today at Swisher Field in Aberdeen.

Both teams pitched shutouts last week as Duluth (7-0) downed the University of Mary (N.D.) 49-0.

Dickinson State University at South Dakota School of Mines

Two of the top football programs in the Dakota Athletic Conference square off when South Dakota Mines hosts Dickinson State (N.D.) at 2 p.m. today in Rapid City.

SDM is ranked 12th in the country while DSU is 13th, both posting 6-1 marks to this point. SDM’s only loss came to Colorado School of Mines earlier this season while Dickinson State suffered a 19-13 loss to Black Hills State last week.

SDM running back Jamie Dale leads the conference in rushing at 135.3 yards per game.

Minot State University at

Black Hills State University

Black Hills State is coming off a thrilling 19-13 win over nationally ranked and previously unbeaten Dickinson State last week and hosts Minot State (N.D.) at 2:30 p.m. today in a DAC clash.

South Dakota Mines beat Minot State 10-7 last week. The Beavers are in a transition to NCAA Division II.

Black Hills State is led by its defense, which has helped the Yellow Jackets win six straight games.

Jamestown College at

Dakota State University

Dakota State welcomes Jamestown College for a 1:30 p.m. DAC contest today.

Dakota State was crushed 54-10 by Valley City State (N.D.) last week.

Jamestown College downed Mayville State 44-7 for its second win of the season.

Tags: college football, sports, jacks, coyotes