VERMILLION — South Dakota running back Travis Theis ran for a career-high 138 yards while the Coyote defense shut down All-American running back Otis Weah in scoring a 20-13 upset of No. 13 North Dakota Saturday at the DakotaDome.
Weah ran 15 times for 58 yards and South Dakota outgained the visitors 368-258, including 189 yards on the ground to run off the final 5 minutes and 52 seconds of game time.
Quarterback Carson Camp hit Caleb Vander Esch for a touchdown on the opening drive of the game from 7 yards out, as USD built a 10-0 lead. After a 10-7 margin at halftime, Camp hit Wesley Eliodor for a 24-yard touchdown pass -- his first of his career -- early in the third quarter to put USD up 17-7.
Kicker Mason Lorber made a pair of field goals, including tying USD-best 54-yarder with 12:15 left that put the Coyotes up 20-10.
“That was a great win,” said USD head coach Bob Nielson. “You look at the way we were able to close out the game there with what it was, five-and-a-half minutes, and never give the ball back. That’s what it’s going to take to win close games in the Valley.
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Camp completed 16-of-23 passes for 179 yards. Vander Esch had season highs of eight catches for 92 yards and the touchdown.
USD travels to Northern Iowa on Oct. 16 for a 4 p.m. contest against the Panthers.
