South Dakota Football Opens Spring Ball
Note: Over the next few weeks, The Genz will include various blogs on The University of South Dakota spring football. This blog is a breakdown of the Coyotes as they head into spring camp.
VERMILLION, S.D. -- South Dakota Football opens spring practice on Saturday, April 2 with a goal of improving its rushing attack and developing a "finishing" attitude.
After going 4-7 a year ago, USD head coach Ed Meierkort will have his troops focused on winning again, a stamp that has been placed on the program since his arrival in 2003.
Meierkort, who has a 48-30 career record at USD, will use the 15 spring practices including the April 21 spring game (7 p.m., DakotaDome) on improving the Coyotes' rushing attack and stopping the run, which, in turn, will help the team finish games.
This year's spring practices will feature two off-campus opportunities for supporters. South Dakota will open its spring practice at the Elwood Olson Stadium in Sioux City, Iowa, before returning to campus on Sunday. On April 16, the Coyotes will go to Bob Young Stadium in Sioux Falls, S.D., for another practice.
"Getting More Medieval"
"We have to get more medieval with our running game," said Meierkort, who with three wins can tie Joe Salem for third on the Coyote career wins list.
"We need to make our run game as feared as it was when we were in the North Central (Conference). It didn't matter who you were, we were going to line it up and pound it," he said.
"In this part of the country, where you are are going to play half your games in bad weather, late into the year, you have to be able to run the football."
USD's 2010 season had program-defining moments like a 41-38 win over FBS and Big Ten foe Minnesota.
But the season was mostly disappointing as inconsistency and losing fourth-quarter leads resulted in Meierkort's first losing season at USD as well as his first overall as a coach since 1999. It was also USD's first losing year since 2003. The Coyotes lost four games in which they held a fourth quarter lead.
"As we continue in the transition to DI, the ability to run the ball makes a difference. It was no different when I arrived here and we faced teams like Nebraska-Omaha, North Dakota and others. You have to be committed to running the ball," said Meierkort.
"As a former defensive coordinator at Southwest State, I know how important it is to be able to run the ball. I remember we would throw it 55 times a game. You were stuck out there with our rear in the wind trying to defend. It is hard to defend when you are throwing all the time. That is why we have to run the ball - I know we will be able to throw it," said Meierkort.
"It is always important to control the clock and the number of repititions your defense is on the field. Face it this is an offensive game but you can counter that with the ability to use the ground game to your advantage," said Meierkort.
Plenty of reasons abound for excitement to be high with Coyote nation as USD enters its final season in the Great West in 2011 before beginning play in the Missouri Valley Conference in 2012.
While the Coyotes face a tough early schedule, they will have to the opportunity to face FBS bowl teams Air Force and Wisconsin of the Big Ten.
South Dakota returns 18-of-22 starters, and 12 from that group were named to the Great West Conference's first team (four) or second team (eight) squads last fall.
Offense
Quarterback -- Dante Warren (6-0, 196, Arlington Heights, IL), a second-team all-GWC selection, returns after a standout campaign in which he helped USD average 23 points along with 150 rushing yards and 200 passing yards per game.
Last year, he completed 161 passes on 292 attempts for 2,137 yards with 18 tds and just six interceptions.
Warren, who completed 55.1 percent of his passes, averaged 194.3 pass yards per game and had an efficiency ranking of 132.85. He also rushed for 393 yards on 96 carries (4.1 avg. per carry) and had six TDs. Warren's 2,530 yards in total offense was the fifth best in school history.
Meierkort believes Warren is one of the best quarterbacks in the Great West Conference. "I really like what he does - he has a great arm and is fast and elusive. We need to find ways to get him on the edge more," he said.
Warren will be backed up by sophomore Tyler Wilhelm (6-4, 211, Loxahatchee, Fla.) and Kyle Cichos (6-2, 206, Pierre, S.D.).
Wilhelm played in three games a year ago, including replacing Warren in the final game of the season, competing 5-of-19 passes for 56 and rushing for 15 yards on six carries with a TD. Cichos, who threw for 2,600 yards in his prep career at Pierre Riggs High School, played one game a year ago, completing one pass for 10 yards.
Running Back -- Meierkort likes the group in the backfield, led by Chris Ganious (5-7, 188, Houston, Texas), who is back for his senior season after earning first-team all-GWC honors. A year ago he had 817 yards rushing on 188 carries with four TDs. He also had 17 receptions for 156 yards and a pair of TDs.
Ganious ranks as one of the all-time best at South Dakota. He is fourth on the career rushing list with 2,400 yards on 448 carries with 17 TDs in three seasons. He is just 114 yards away from third place on the career list. Jared Schwenn, who had 2,513 yards, from 1994-97 is third.
Junior Marcus Sims (5-10, 195, Brooklyn Park, Minn.) will be the primary backup along with sophomore Donovan Bowens (6-0, 197, Arvada, Colo.).
Sims had 52 carries for 286 yards and a TD as well as returning 16 kicks for 295 yards or 18.4 yards per return. Bowens is an athletic, physical runner with a lot of potential, says Meierkort. In limited action as a redshirt freshman, Bowens had 120 yards on 27 carries or 4.4 per tote.
Wide Receiver -- South Dakota features a dynamic throwing group. Warren will throw to a group of deep, talented receivers.
One of the best to ever put on the Coyote red is junior Will Powell (6-1, 204, Sioux Falls, S.D.). The O'Gorman graduate, who was USD's team MVP in 2010, had a team-high 47 receptions for 933 yards with 10 TDs, a total which ranked second all-time. He averaged 84.8 yards per game.
Powell, a second team all-Great West performer, broke out in the win over the Gophers in 2011 with 156 yards receiving and two TDs. Four times he cracked 100 yards receiving and his 933 yards is the third best single season total in school history. While he is likely to see limited action this spring, he will be a dynamic force in 2011.
Senior wide receiver Dusty Novotny (6-3, 215, Rapid City, S.D.) comes back after catching 34 passes for 489 yards and a TD. He had a career-best eight catches for 96 yards against Southern Utah last season.
Novotny's crucial catch on third down in the closing minutes against Minnesota prevented the Gophers from getting the ball back and a chance to take a late game win.
It is typical of his big catch capability, said Meierkort. "Dustin is one of the most underrated players we have. He makes big catches and is unafraid to go over the middle," said Meierkort.
Junior Tom Flanagan (5-9, 185, Lakewood, Colo.) had 34 catches for 324 yards and two TDs. He is one of the league's best YAC (yards after catch) guys, says Meierkort.
Another factor on offense will be speedster Jeremy Blount (5-9, 157, Tampa, FL), a senior who had nine receptions for 163 yards and a score during his junior campaign. He is also a dynamic kick returner with 29 returns for 621 yards, including a 78 yard return. Blount also had 12 punt returns for 200 yards or an outstanding 16.7 yards per return.
"We have to get the ball to Jeremy more," said Meierkort. "He can make things happen."
Tight End -- The loss of second-team all-GWC tight end London Landry will hurt. He had 17 catches for 149 yards and two TDs. However Meierkort feels tight end will be a strength again for USD. "We are always good there," he says.
This spring Michael Neilson (6-33, 218, Gilbert, Ariz.) will shift back to his natural tight end position after spending time at defensive end.
The senior will be tested for the starting spot by Jay Burns (Jr., 6-3, 245, Kansas City, KS), Joel DeJongh (Jr., 6-3, 237, Rock Rapids, Iowa), and Kayl Barkley (fr., 6-3, 250, Conway Springs, KS).
Line -- Leading the "big uglies" up front will be Tom Compton, a 6-6, 311 pound senior offensive tackle from Rosemount, Minn. He has been called "the best offensive lineman I have had at USD," by Meierkort.
Compton, who was first-team all-GWC and a Phil Steele FCS Postseason All-American selection, is a NFL prospect and he will lead a senior dominated group up front that also includes R.J. Polley (Sr., 6-6, 300, Albert Lea, Minn.) and Brent Johnson (Sr., 6-5, 304, Jewell, Iowa).
Tim Ross (Jr., 6-2, 280, Arvada, Colo.) returns at center and will be backed up by Broc Gullett (Sr., 6-3, 276, Buckeye, Ariz.). Cody O'Neill (6-2, 309, Haward, IL) is another stalwart up front.
Meierkort also noted that he has a group of redshirt freshmen who will contribute. They include Matt Huffer (Rfr., 6-7, 240, Cedar Rapids, Iowa), Andrew Schofield (Rfr., 6-5, 260, Orchard Park, Ill.), Marc Murtha (So., 6-6, 287, Maple Grove, Minn.) and Adam Praska (Rfr., 6-5, 312, Elma, Iowa).
DEFENSE
Defensive Line -- Senior Jesse Weisbrod (6-5, 275, Waupaca, Wis.), an all-GWC second team selection, leads a deep, and physical bunch along the defensive front. Weisbrod finished the 2011 campaign with 20 tackles, including 4.5 tackles for loss, and three quarterback sacks.
While the defensive front is virtually intact from a year ago, Meierkort knows the group needs to generate a bigger pass rush. "We need more pressure upfront," he said.
Weisbrod is joined upfront by David Giese (6-3, 268, Chicago, Ill.), a junior who had 17 tackles, three tackles for loss, a fumble recovery and a pair of quarterback sacks; Evan Capper (6-1, 279, Arlington, Iowa), a senior who had 17 tackles, three tackles for loss, two quarterback sackls and a fumble recovery: Sidney Bazemore (6-3, 240, Chicago, Ill.), a senior who had 11 tackles and a tackle for loss; and Jordan Eaton (6-5, 230, St. Paul, Minn.), a junior who had 24 tackles, six tackles for loss, three quarterback sacks, a fumble recovery and forced fumble.
Another player expected to contribute includes sophomore Tyler Starr (6-5, 236, Little Rock, Iowa), an athletic and potentially dominating force.
Redshirt freshman Chase Irvin-Salazar (6-4, 241, Lee's Summit, Mo.), redshirt freshman Kenny Greer (6-3, 276, Barrington, Ill.), and junior Donny Alves Fortes (6-3, 280, Boise, Idaho) will also vye for time up front.
Linebackers -- South Dakota has a strong group of linebackers returning, led by senior inside linebacker Adam Broders, a first-time all-GWC selection.
Broders (6-2, 220, Bloomfield, Neb.) had 75 tackles, six tackles for loss, one interception, one fumble recovery and a blocked kick in 2010.
Other inside linebackers who will contribute include senior Kyle Wheeler (6-1, 224, Omaha, Neb. 11 tackles), Snow College junior college transfer Zack Wilson (6-1, 220, Bountiful, Utah), junior Tim Marlette (6-0, 217, Sioux Falls, S.D., 14 tackles, one tackle for loss), redshirt freshman Kyle Guziec (6-4, 215, Lake Forest, Ill.) and sophomore Kelan Richardson (6-1, 211, Lake City, Iowa).
On the outside at the "Sam" spot will be senior Andrew Meier (6-4, 220, Gurthrie Center, Iowa), who had 44 tackles and 2.5 tackles for a loss a year ago. He is supported by junior Darius Hogens (6-1, 215, Las Vegas, Nev.), who had 23 tackles, 2.5 tackles for loss and a fumble recovery in 2010.
At the "Yote" backer spot will be USD's leading tackler Shea Williams (6-2, 224, Alexandria, S.D.), a senior who had 89 tackles, 6.4 tackles for loss, three quarterback sacks and two fumble recovery.
"We moved Williams to that hybrid spot last year so we could generate more pass rush out of him," said Meierkort.
Williams is backed up by junior Elliot Harper (6-1, 220, Chandler, Ariz.), who had 11 tackles with 1.5 tackle for loss and a quarterback sack; along with D'Angelo Butler (6-1, 205, Las Vegas, Nev.), a junior who played in two games a year ago before an injury ended his season.
Secondary -- Meierkort is happy with the progress of this unit. "We have improved drastically here," he said.
Cornerback -- All-GWC selection Marquis Butler leads a talented group of corners. Butler (6-0, 182, Los Angeles, Calif.) is a senior coming off a stellar season with 48 tackles, 15 tackles for loss, one interception and four pass breakups.
On the other side will be sophomore Demetrius Turner (5-11, 177, Tampa, Fla.), a sophomore with 18 tackles, two interceptions, including one that he returned for a defensive score.
Butler and Turner are supported by sophomore Chris Frierson (6-1 173, Tampa, Fla.), who was a big-play reserve for South Dakota, He had 34 tackles, one tackles for loss, one quarterback sack and two interceptions. Alphonso Valdez (5-9, 177, Tampa, Fla.) is a junior who had 15 tackles and two pass breakups at the corner.
Safety -- "We feel really good about our safety play, although this spring we will be looking for our fourth safety, "said Meierkort.
The group is led by Minnesota transfer and second team all-GWC selection Shane Potter (6-2, 207, Becker, Minn.), a senior who had 76 tackles, one tackle for loss and a forced fumble.
"Shane is probably our best defensive player," said Meierkort.
Aaron Swift (5-8, 164, Aurora, Colo.) made a big impression as a true freshman in 2010 with 61 tackles, one tackle for loss, one interception and four pass breakups.
USD also returns Minnesota transfer Jim Thompson (6-1, 212, Hayward, Minn.), a senior who had his 2010 season ended by an early season injury.
Redshirt freshman Chris Lundy (5-9, 155, Tampa, Fla.), will add depth in the secondary.
Special Teams -- The play of a team's special team units is crucial to a turnaround season.
Meierkort has two top-flight kickers returning, including junior All-American (Phil Steele Football Championship Subdivision Postseason squad) and all-GWC selection Cole Zwiefelhofer. The junior (6-3, 206, Chippewa Falls, Minn.) averaged 43.2 yards per kick on 53 punts for 2,290 yards. He placed 18 kicks inside the 20-yard line.
The place-kicking duties will again be held by sophomore Kevin Robb, (5-9, 185, Rapid City, S.D.), who was second-team all-GWC. He made 29-of-32 extra points and 12-of-16 field goals for 65 points. Robb had a career-long of 49 yards.
Pack Bits and Pieces
~ Spring ball dates back to at least 1914 and was probably installed by Rev. James Henderson a few years earlier.
~ Fourth year coach Adam Breske and third year coach Jake Sprague have been named co-defensive coordinators.
~Former Coyote All-American and Harlon Hill Trophy runner-up Wesley Beschorner is in his sixth season at USD and beginning his third year as offensive coordinator.
~ When USD upset Minnesota, 41-38, at TCF Bank Stadium in 2010, it was the Coyotes' first win over the Gophers since 1912 when USD took a 10-0 decision at Northrup Field in Minneapolis.
The 1912 team was considered one of the greatest in school history and finished the season 5-1, losing only at Michigan, 7-6. In that game the Coyotes led, 6-0, until 40 seconds remained and the Wolverines, led by legendary coach Fielding Yost, scored on fourth down from inside the one-yard line.
During that campaign, Coach Rev. James Henderson's Coyotes defeated SDSU, 73-6; North Dakota, 44-0; and Creighton, 68-0.
~A year ago, the Minnesota win and Dante Warren's performance brought some unchartered national honors to the football program. Warren accounted for five TDs and 433 yards in total offense to key USD's win over Minnesota last season, which ranks among the greatest all-time performances by a Coyote player. On his career day, he completed 21-of-32 passes for 352 yards and three TDs.
His spectacular plays included a 61-yard TD pass to Will Powell early in the third quarter and a 36-yard "naked bootleg" for a TD on 4th and one in the fourth quarter.
As a result, Warren was named a College Sporting News All Star and was named the Sports Network/Fathead.com National Player of the Week. He was also on the ballot for the AT&T/ESPN All American Player of the Week and the Capital One Cup Impact Performance of the Week (finished second in balloting).
~ South Dakota's first signficant DI win happened in 1899 when the Coyotes defeated Nebraska, 6-5. It was the first game played between the two schools and the only one in history contested at Vermillion.
Noteworthy is the fact that USD did not have a full-time coach at the time. In an exhibition of sportsmanship, the rough-and-tumble rugby like football in 1899 also included a social side. Following the game, USD hosted the Nebraska players in a gathering that include dinner, billards and interaction. The next morning the Nebraska players hopped on a train and headed back to Lincoln.
VERMILLION, S.D. -- South Dakota Football opens spring practice on Saturday, April 2 with a goal of improving its rushing attack and developing a "finishing" attitude.
After going 4-7 a year ago, USD head coach Ed Meierkort will have his troops focused on winning again, a stamp that has been placed on the program since his arrival in 2003.
Meierkort, who has a 48-30 career record at USD, will use the 15 spring practices including the April 21 spring game (7 p.m., DakotaDome) on improving the Coyotes' rushing attack and stopping the run, which, in turn, will help the team finish games.
This year's spring practices will feature two off-campus opportunities for supporters. South Dakota will open its spring practice at the Elwood Olson Stadium in Sioux City, Iowa, before returning to campus on Sunday. On April 16, the Coyotes will go to Bob Young Stadium in Sioux Falls, S.D., for another practice.
"Getting More Medieval"
"We have to get more medieval with our running game," said Meierkort, who with three wins can tie Joe Salem for third on the Coyote career wins list.
"We need to make our run game as feared as it was when we were in the North Central (Conference). It didn't matter who you were, we were going to line it up and pound it," he said.
"In this part of the country, where you are are going to play half your games in bad weather, late into the year, you have to be able to run the football."
USD's 2010 season had program-defining moments like a 41-38 win over FBS and Big Ten foe Minnesota.
But the season was mostly disappointing as inconsistency and losing fourth-quarter leads resulted in Meierkort's first losing season at USD as well as his first overall as a coach since 1999. It was also USD's first losing year since 2003. The Coyotes lost four games in which they held a fourth quarter lead.
"As we continue in the transition to DI, the ability to run the ball makes a difference. It was no different when I arrived here and we faced teams like Nebraska-Omaha, North Dakota and others. You have to be committed to running the ball," said Meierkort.
"As a former defensive coordinator at Southwest State, I know how important it is to be able to run the ball. I remember we would throw it 55 times a game. You were stuck out there with our rear in the wind trying to defend. It is hard to defend when you are throwing all the time. That is why we have to run the ball - I know we will be able to throw it," said Meierkort.
"It is always important to control the clock and the number of repititions your defense is on the field. Face it this is an offensive game but you can counter that with the ability to use the ground game to your advantage," said Meierkort.
Plenty of reasons abound for excitement to be high with Coyote nation as USD enters its final season in the Great West in 2011 before beginning play in the Missouri Valley Conference in 2012.
While the Coyotes face a tough early schedule, they will have to the opportunity to face FBS bowl teams Air Force and Wisconsin of the Big Ten.
South Dakota returns 18-of-22 starters, and 12 from that group were named to the Great West Conference's first team (four) or second team (eight) squads last fall.
Offense
Quarterback -- Dante Warren (6-0, 196, Arlington Heights, IL), a second-team all-GWC selection, returns after a standout campaign in which he helped USD average 23 points along with 150 rushing yards and 200 passing yards per game.
Last year, he completed 161 passes on 292 attempts for 2,137 yards with 18 tds and just six interceptions.
Warren, who completed 55.1 percent of his passes, averaged 194.3 pass yards per game and had an efficiency ranking of 132.85. He also rushed for 393 yards on 96 carries (4.1 avg. per carry) and had six TDs. Warren's 2,530 yards in total offense was the fifth best in school history.
Meierkort believes Warren is one of the best quarterbacks in the Great West Conference. "I really like what he does - he has a great arm and is fast and elusive. We need to find ways to get him on the edge more," he said.
Warren will be backed up by sophomore Tyler Wilhelm (6-4, 211, Loxahatchee, Fla.) and Kyle Cichos (6-2, 206, Pierre, S.D.).
Wilhelm played in three games a year ago, including replacing Warren in the final game of the season, competing 5-of-19 passes for 56 and rushing for 15 yards on six carries with a TD. Cichos, who threw for 2,600 yards in his prep career at Pierre Riggs High School, played one game a year ago, completing one pass for 10 yards.
Running Back -- Meierkort likes the group in the backfield, led by Chris Ganious (5-7, 188, Houston, Texas), who is back for his senior season after earning first-team all-GWC honors. A year ago he had 817 yards rushing on 188 carries with four TDs. He also had 17 receptions for 156 yards and a pair of TDs.
Ganious ranks as one of the all-time best at South Dakota. He is fourth on the career rushing list with 2,400 yards on 448 carries with 17 TDs in three seasons. He is just 114 yards away from third place on the career list. Jared Schwenn, who had 2,513 yards, from 1994-97 is third.
Junior Marcus Sims (5-10, 195, Brooklyn Park, Minn.) will be the primary backup along with sophomore Donovan Bowens (6-0, 197, Arvada, Colo.).
Sims had 52 carries for 286 yards and a TD as well as returning 16 kicks for 295 yards or 18.4 yards per return. Bowens is an athletic, physical runner with a lot of potential, says Meierkort. In limited action as a redshirt freshman, Bowens had 120 yards on 27 carries or 4.4 per tote.
Wide Receiver -- South Dakota features a dynamic throwing group. Warren will throw to a group of deep, talented receivers.
One of the best to ever put on the Coyote red is junior Will Powell (6-1, 204, Sioux Falls, S.D.). The O'Gorman graduate, who was USD's team MVP in 2010, had a team-high 47 receptions for 933 yards with 10 TDs, a total which ranked second all-time. He averaged 84.8 yards per game.
Powell, a second team all-Great West performer, broke out in the win over the Gophers in 2011 with 156 yards receiving and two TDs. Four times he cracked 100 yards receiving and his 933 yards is the third best single season total in school history. While he is likely to see limited action this spring, he will be a dynamic force in 2011.
Senior wide receiver Dusty Novotny (6-3, 215, Rapid City, S.D.) comes back after catching 34 passes for 489 yards and a TD. He had a career-best eight catches for 96 yards against Southern Utah last season.
Novotny's crucial catch on third down in the closing minutes against Minnesota prevented the Gophers from getting the ball back and a chance to take a late game win.
It is typical of his big catch capability, said Meierkort. "Dustin is one of the most underrated players we have. He makes big catches and is unafraid to go over the middle," said Meierkort.
Junior Tom Flanagan (5-9, 185, Lakewood, Colo.) had 34 catches for 324 yards and two TDs. He is one of the league's best YAC (yards after catch) guys, says Meierkort.
Another factor on offense will be speedster Jeremy Blount (5-9, 157, Tampa, FL), a senior who had nine receptions for 163 yards and a score during his junior campaign. He is also a dynamic kick returner with 29 returns for 621 yards, including a 78 yard return. Blount also had 12 punt returns for 200 yards or an outstanding 16.7 yards per return.
"We have to get the ball to Jeremy more," said Meierkort. "He can make things happen."
Tight End -- The loss of second-team all-GWC tight end London Landry will hurt. He had 17 catches for 149 yards and two TDs. However Meierkort feels tight end will be a strength again for USD. "We are always good there," he says.
This spring Michael Neilson (6-33, 218, Gilbert, Ariz.) will shift back to his natural tight end position after spending time at defensive end.
The senior will be tested for the starting spot by Jay Burns (Jr., 6-3, 245, Kansas City, KS), Joel DeJongh (Jr., 6-3, 237, Rock Rapids, Iowa), and Kayl Barkley (fr., 6-3, 250, Conway Springs, KS).
Line -- Leading the "big uglies" up front will be Tom Compton, a 6-6, 311 pound senior offensive tackle from Rosemount, Minn. He has been called "the best offensive lineman I have had at USD," by Meierkort.
Compton, who was first-team all-GWC and a Phil Steele FCS Postseason All-American selection, is a NFL prospect and he will lead a senior dominated group up front that also includes R.J. Polley (Sr., 6-6, 300, Albert Lea, Minn.) and Brent Johnson (Sr., 6-5, 304, Jewell, Iowa).
Tim Ross (Jr., 6-2, 280, Arvada, Colo.) returns at center and will be backed up by Broc Gullett (Sr., 6-3, 276, Buckeye, Ariz.). Cody O'Neill (6-2, 309, Haward, IL) is another stalwart up front.
Meierkort also noted that he has a group of redshirt freshmen who will contribute. They include Matt Huffer (Rfr., 6-7, 240, Cedar Rapids, Iowa), Andrew Schofield (Rfr., 6-5, 260, Orchard Park, Ill.), Marc Murtha (So., 6-6, 287, Maple Grove, Minn.) and Adam Praska (Rfr., 6-5, 312, Elma, Iowa).
DEFENSE
Defensive Line -- Senior Jesse Weisbrod (6-5, 275, Waupaca, Wis.), an all-GWC second team selection, leads a deep, and physical bunch along the defensive front. Weisbrod finished the 2011 campaign with 20 tackles, including 4.5 tackles for loss, and three quarterback sacks.
While the defensive front is virtually intact from a year ago, Meierkort knows the group needs to generate a bigger pass rush. "We need more pressure upfront," he said.
Weisbrod is joined upfront by David Giese (6-3, 268, Chicago, Ill.), a junior who had 17 tackles, three tackles for loss, a fumble recovery and a pair of quarterback sacks; Evan Capper (6-1, 279, Arlington, Iowa), a senior who had 17 tackles, three tackles for loss, two quarterback sackls and a fumble recovery: Sidney Bazemore (6-3, 240, Chicago, Ill.), a senior who had 11 tackles and a tackle for loss; and Jordan Eaton (6-5, 230, St. Paul, Minn.), a junior who had 24 tackles, six tackles for loss, three quarterback sacks, a fumble recovery and forced fumble.
Another player expected to contribute includes sophomore Tyler Starr (6-5, 236, Little Rock, Iowa), an athletic and potentially dominating force.
Redshirt freshman Chase Irvin-Salazar (6-4, 241, Lee's Summit, Mo.), redshirt freshman Kenny Greer (6-3, 276, Barrington, Ill.), and junior Donny Alves Fortes (6-3, 280, Boise, Idaho) will also vye for time up front.
Linebackers -- South Dakota has a strong group of linebackers returning, led by senior inside linebacker Adam Broders, a first-time all-GWC selection.
Broders (6-2, 220, Bloomfield, Neb.) had 75 tackles, six tackles for loss, one interception, one fumble recovery and a blocked kick in 2010.
Other inside linebackers who will contribute include senior Kyle Wheeler (6-1, 224, Omaha, Neb. 11 tackles), Snow College junior college transfer Zack Wilson (6-1, 220, Bountiful, Utah), junior Tim Marlette (6-0, 217, Sioux Falls, S.D., 14 tackles, one tackle for loss), redshirt freshman Kyle Guziec (6-4, 215, Lake Forest, Ill.) and sophomore Kelan Richardson (6-1, 211, Lake City, Iowa).
On the outside at the "Sam" spot will be senior Andrew Meier (6-4, 220, Gurthrie Center, Iowa), who had 44 tackles and 2.5 tackles for a loss a year ago. He is supported by junior Darius Hogens (6-1, 215, Las Vegas, Nev.), who had 23 tackles, 2.5 tackles for loss and a fumble recovery in 2010.
At the "Yote" backer spot will be USD's leading tackler Shea Williams (6-2, 224, Alexandria, S.D.), a senior who had 89 tackles, 6.4 tackles for loss, three quarterback sacks and two fumble recovery.
"We moved Williams to that hybrid spot last year so we could generate more pass rush out of him," said Meierkort.
Williams is backed up by junior Elliot Harper (6-1, 220, Chandler, Ariz.), who had 11 tackles with 1.5 tackle for loss and a quarterback sack; along with D'Angelo Butler (6-1, 205, Las Vegas, Nev.), a junior who played in two games a year ago before an injury ended his season.
Secondary -- Meierkort is happy with the progress of this unit. "We have improved drastically here," he said.
Cornerback -- All-GWC selection Marquis Butler leads a talented group of corners. Butler (6-0, 182, Los Angeles, Calif.) is a senior coming off a stellar season with 48 tackles, 15 tackles for loss, one interception and four pass breakups.
On the other side will be sophomore Demetrius Turner (5-11, 177, Tampa, Fla.), a sophomore with 18 tackles, two interceptions, including one that he returned for a defensive score.
Butler and Turner are supported by sophomore Chris Frierson (6-1 173, Tampa, Fla.), who was a big-play reserve for South Dakota, He had 34 tackles, one tackles for loss, one quarterback sack and two interceptions. Alphonso Valdez (5-9, 177, Tampa, Fla.) is a junior who had 15 tackles and two pass breakups at the corner.
Safety -- "We feel really good about our safety play, although this spring we will be looking for our fourth safety, "said Meierkort.
The group is led by Minnesota transfer and second team all-GWC selection Shane Potter (6-2, 207, Becker, Minn.), a senior who had 76 tackles, one tackle for loss and a forced fumble.
"Shane is probably our best defensive player," said Meierkort.
Aaron Swift (5-8, 164, Aurora, Colo.) made a big impression as a true freshman in 2010 with 61 tackles, one tackle for loss, one interception and four pass breakups.
USD also returns Minnesota transfer Jim Thompson (6-1, 212, Hayward, Minn.), a senior who had his 2010 season ended by an early season injury.
Redshirt freshman Chris Lundy (5-9, 155, Tampa, Fla.), will add depth in the secondary.
Special Teams -- The play of a team's special team units is crucial to a turnaround season.
Meierkort has two top-flight kickers returning, including junior All-American (Phil Steele Football Championship Subdivision Postseason squad) and all-GWC selection Cole Zwiefelhofer. The junior (6-3, 206, Chippewa Falls, Minn.) averaged 43.2 yards per kick on 53 punts for 2,290 yards. He placed 18 kicks inside the 20-yard line.
The place-kicking duties will again be held by sophomore Kevin Robb, (5-9, 185, Rapid City, S.D.), who was second-team all-GWC. He made 29-of-32 extra points and 12-of-16 field goals for 65 points. Robb had a career-long of 49 yards.
Pack Bits and Pieces
~ Spring ball dates back to at least 1914 and was probably installed by Rev. James Henderson a few years earlier.
~ Fourth year coach Adam Breske and third year coach Jake Sprague have been named co-defensive coordinators.
~Former Coyote All-American and Harlon Hill Trophy runner-up Wesley Beschorner is in his sixth season at USD and beginning his third year as offensive coordinator.
~ When USD upset Minnesota, 41-38, at TCF Bank Stadium in 2010, it was the Coyotes' first win over the Gophers since 1912 when USD took a 10-0 decision at Northrup Field in Minneapolis.
The 1912 team was considered one of the greatest in school history and finished the season 5-1, losing only at Michigan, 7-6. In that game the Coyotes led, 6-0, until 40 seconds remained and the Wolverines, led by legendary coach Fielding Yost, scored on fourth down from inside the one-yard line.
During that campaign, Coach Rev. James Henderson's Coyotes defeated SDSU, 73-6; North Dakota, 44-0; and Creighton, 68-0.
~A year ago, the Minnesota win and Dante Warren's performance brought some unchartered national honors to the football program. Warren accounted for five TDs and 433 yards in total offense to key USD's win over Minnesota last season, which ranks among the greatest all-time performances by a Coyote player. On his career day, he completed 21-of-32 passes for 352 yards and three TDs.
His spectacular plays included a 61-yard TD pass to Will Powell early in the third quarter and a 36-yard "naked bootleg" for a TD on 4th and one in the fourth quarter.
As a result, Warren was named a College Sporting News All Star and was named the Sports Network/Fathead.com National Player of the Week. He was also on the ballot for the AT&T/ESPN All American Player of the Week and the Capital One Cup Impact Performance of the Week (finished second in balloting).
~ South Dakota's first signficant DI win happened in 1899 when the Coyotes defeated Nebraska, 6-5. It was the first game played between the two schools and the only one in history contested at Vermillion.
Noteworthy is the fact that USD did not have a full-time coach at the time. In an exhibition of sportsmanship, the rough-and-tumble rugby like football in 1899 also included a social side. Following the game, USD hosted the Nebraska players in a gathering that include dinner, billards and interaction. The next morning the Nebraska players hopped on a train and headed back to Lincoln.
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