Gameday: South Dakota Coyotes look to continue winning ways at Missouri State

MISSOURI STATE (1-3, 1-0) AT SOUTH DAKOTA (2-3, 1-0)

WHEN/WHERE: Plaster Stadium (Springfield, Mo.)

ONLINE: ESPN3

RADIO:  KVHT 106.3 FM, KQSF 95.7 FM (Sioux Falls), KXLG 99.1 FM (Watertown), KIMM 106.7 FM (Rapid City)

COACHES: USD – Bob Nielson (4th year, 18-22); MSU – 5th year, 13-35.

SERIES: USD leads 3-2

LAST WEEK: USD beat Indiana State, 38-0; MSU beat Western Illinois, 37-31 (3OT).

RANKINGS: USD — Not ranked. MSU — Not ranked.

South Dakota appears to be rounding into form following a rocky start to the season having won back-to-back games, most recently a 38-0 plastering of Indiana State.

The Coyotes' surge has been characterized by an ability to run the ball and the defense. 

USD has outrushed its last two opponents 515-77, led by quarterback Austin Simmons who ranks eighth nationally in total offense after rushing for a career-high 138 yards and passing for 210 last week. Tailback Kai Henry is coming off a prolific performance, as well, having collected four runs of at least 10 yards, including a 42-yard touchdown in the first half. Saturday's game marked the first time USD had two 100-yard rushers since 2017.

USD sports:Veteran women's basketball team bringing different energy

As for the defense, the Coyotes have allowed a grand total of six points over their last two outings, averaging 248.5 yards of total offense against. They allowed just 40 rushing yards to a Sycamores squad that makes its living offensively on running the ball. Health has certainly played a significant factor in the defense's bounce-back with a full-strength cornerback corps allowing the front seven to play more aggressively.

Missouri State figures to present a more strenuous test for the USD pass defense. Bears quarterback Peyton Hulsig is averaging 256 passing yards per game, second only to Simmons in the Missouri Valley. he has two standout receivers in Tyler Currie and Lorenzo Thomas. 

Not unlike Montana and Houston Baptist, the Bears don't typically run the ball very often (or effectively), averaging just 76 yards per game — while allowing 242 per game. 

Defensive end Matt McClellan will pose a unique challenge for the USD offensive front. He has three of the team's four sacks and is their third-leading tackler. 

Follow Brian Haenchen on Twitter at @Brian_Haenchen.