Improved S. Dakota is YSU’s challenge

October 7, 2017 at 12:05a.m.

YOUNGSTOWN

Today’s trip to the DakotaDome should be a near-180 from Youngstown State’s last visit in 2015.

South Dakota is a much-improved team since the Coyotes took a 31-3 drubbing at the hands of the Penguins two seasons ago.

“Last time we were there, it wasn’t that loud,” senior tight end Kevin Rader said of the DakotaDome on Tuesday. “Obviously they’re ranked higher, so they’ll probably be sold out.”

Rader’s prediction is correct. The school announced on Thursday that its homecoming game is sold out.

There’s some buzz around Vermillion, S.D. The Coyotes, predicted to finish seventh in the Missouri Valley Football Conference, are taking off in year two under coach Bob Nielson.

South Dakota’s 4-0 record already matches its 2016 win total. The Coyotes have defeated FBS Bowling Green, then-No. 10-ranked North Dakota, and then-No. 13 Western Illinois in consecutive weeks to rise as high as No. 7 in the nation.

“I think they’re playing with a lot of confidence right now and they should be. They’re playing good football,” Penguins coach Bo Pelini said.

Bob Nielson didn’t arrive alone in South Dakota. The former Western Illinois coach’s prize recruit was Minnesota transfer Chris Streveler.

Streveler is the MVFC’s most productive offensive player, leading the conference in passing yards (1,168) and total touchdowns (10 by air, seven on the ground) and is his team’s leading rusher with 318 yards.

Streveler marks back-to-back weeks of the Penguins facing such a quarterback, but the gameplan for him isn’t the same as it was for South Dakota State’s Taryn Christion.

“We’re looking to get after this quarterback a little bit more than South Dakota State,” defensive tackle Savon Smith said.

Streveler doesn’t appear have a favored target as five different wideouts have at least 100 yards receiving or at least two touchdown catches. Jackson Shamar leads the group in yards (224), Levi Falck leads in catches (16) and Alonge Brooks leads in TD catches (three).

The Coyotes’ offense is tied for first in the league in the turnover margin at +7. A muffed punt is South Dakota’s only turnover so far. South Dakota and Alabama are the only teams at any level of college football to have not turned the ball over on offense.

On defense, sophomore Darren Greenfield is one sack behind conference leader Justus Reed of YSU with three, but he does lead the MVFC in tackles for a loss with 8.5. South Dakota leads the conference in sacks with 16.