South Dakota State defeats USD 31-21 in in-state rivalry

South Dakota State University defeated South Dakota University 31-21 on Saturday in the latest chapter of the in-state football rivalry. The Jacks controlled the game for the first three quarters, holding a 28-0 lead. They outgained the Coyotes 459-252 and outrushed them 227-19.

The Coyotes mounted a late rally that narrowed the margin of victory. South Dakota linebacker Wade Abrams noted that the team showed they could compete in the second half. He said the rivalry means a lot in the state of South Dakota and expressed a desire for another shot at the Jacks.

The performance mirrors a previous resilience shown by the Jacks earlier in the season. Last year, South Dakota State overcame a 35-0 deficit against Illinois State. Coaches and players credited that experience for helping them beat North Dakota later in the year.

The fourth quarter effort changes the narrative for the Coyotes. They were one yard away on a third down conversion by Chase Mason from tying the game. The rally denied the Jacks a blowout victory that was likely for most of the contest.

South Dakota still has a chance to secure a home playoff game. South Dakota State is positioned for a top four seed. The FCS playoff bracket could set up a rematch in Brookings. The Jacks have lost only one home playoff game since 2019.

South Dakota State coach Matt Vitzthum’s counterpart on the losing side, also named Vitzthum in the text context of the rival team's coach, tried to play the underdog card. He told reporters that everyone would count his team out. He said the team would keep fighting and play the game the way it is supposed to be played.

The Jacks wore Coyote pelts during their postgame press conference. Their social media accounts shared videos of the team holding up dead Coyotes. Players Logan Green and Reis Kirschenman were aware the Yotes would see the material. This tactic reminds fans of the Horns Down gesture from the 2022 championship run.

The Jacks remain the top team in the FCS according to the reporter. Their loss to North Dakota earlier in the season feels like an aberration. The Coyotes still have a difficult road ahead, including a trip to Illinois State. Fewer than five teams in the FCS are considered better than South Dakota.

Next week, South Dakota State travels to Northern Iowa. South Dakota plays at home against a team not listed in the Week 11 schedule snippet but implied by the standings context. Illinois State hosts North Dakota. Youngstown State plays at Murray State. Southern Illinois visits Indiana State.