If you haven’t heard: the Coyote football team have won their 23rd straight home game, you should probably click right here.
If you have heard the news, congratulations. This is where I step back and think about the game after seeing it for myself.
I said before and during the game that Ben King and the Minnesota State offense would put up their points and yards with that spread offense. King completed 35-46 for 480 and 2 TDs. MSU-Mankato had no real problems moving the ball downfield, it was once they get into the red zone is where their spread offense is tough to run. That’s where the USD defense made big stops.
But, with the proficiency of MSU-Mankato’s offense and their amazing defensive effort, there were times during the game where I questioned if Minnesota State was going to pull off the upset. However, it was USD once again getting turnovers that helped us win the game. Those turnovers are going to be key when the Coyotes play UNO and North Dakota for their final two games: USD needs to get them, and prevent giving them away.
No INT’s from Noah Shpeard, but two fumbles lost. Those fumbles could have been deadly against a stronger opponent. Fortunately, MSU-Mankato isn’t a top-tier NCC team.
While both Shepard and Amos Allen didn’t play to their potential (and you can thank a surprisingly good MSU-Mankato defense for that), both of their stats were padded by some fantastic screen plays which worked all game for USD. USD was having some problems effectively running the ball, and once again Shepard looked off sync with his tragets more often than not.
Let’s hope the offense can step back into their full rhythmn against Nebraska-Omaha. If not, we could be in some serious trouble.
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Drew Quandt | Online Editor
The Volante
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