1977 South Dakota Coyotes football
ConferenceNorth Central Conference
Record4–7 (2–4–1 NCC)
Head coach
CaptainMatt Kiger, Mike Maguire
Home stadiumInman Field
Seasons
← 1976
1978 →
1977 North Central Conference football standings
Conf Overall
Team W   L   T W   L   T
No. 1 North Dakota State $^ 6 – 0 – 1 9 – 2 – 1
Augustana (SD) 4 – 3 – 0 7 – 4 – 0
Northern Iowa 4 – 3 – 0 6 – 5 – 0
South Dakota State 3 – 3 – 1 5 – 4 – 1
Nebraska–Omaha * 2 – 2 – 3 3 – 6 – 2
North Dakota 2 – 4 – 1 4 – 7 – 1
South Dakota * 2 – 4 – 1 4 – 7 – 0
Morningside 1 – 5 – 1 2 – 6 – 1
  • $ – Conference champion
  • ^ – NCAA Division II playoff participant
  • * – Nebraska–Omaha and South Dakota split two head-to-head games, which counted as a tie for each team in the conference standings.
Rankings from AP Poll

The 1977 South Dakota Coyotes football team represented the University of South Dakota in the 1977 NCAA Division II football season as a member of the North Central Conference (NCC). Led by third-year coach Beanie Cooper, the Coyotes compiled an overall record of 4–7 and a mark of 2–4–1 in conference play, tying for sixth place in the NCC.[1] The team played two games against Nebraska–Omaha in order to save money on travel; each game counted as a half-game in the conference standings.[2]

Running back Mike Maguire rushed for 271 yards in the Coyotes' November 12 game against Nebraska–Omaha, breaking both the school's single-game rushing record of 220 yards and the NCC record of 257 yards.[3] The Associated Press named Maguire one of their two NCC players of the week for his performance.[4] Maguire and linebacker Matt Kiger were selected as the team's captains prior to the season.[5]

Five South Dakota players were selected as first-team players on the 1977 All-North Central Conference football team: Maguire at running back; Mike Lee at offensive guard; Kiger at linebacker; Clyde McCormick at cornerback; and Dave Schwab as a defensive lineman.[6]

Before the season

South Dakota finished the 1976 season with a record of four wins, five losses, and one tie (4–5–1, 3–2–1 in NCC play).[7] Quarterbacks Scott Pollock and Steve Winkel had competed for the starting role in that season, and both returned to the team in 1977; three other quarterbacks, Tim Cooper, Eddie Miller, and Jay Monfore, also joined the team during the offseason.[8] Pollock was ultimately chosen to start in the team's first game against Nebraska–Omaha.[9]

Schedule

DateOpponentSiteResultAttendanceSource
September 3at Nebraska–Omaha
L 16–1710,000[10]
September 10Morningside
W 24–107,000–7,100[11]
September 17at Northern Colorado*Greeley, COL 10–13900[12]
September 24at Northeast Missouri State*
L 7–195,000[13]
October 1Augustana (SD)
  • Inman Field
  • Vermillion, SD
L 8–142,500[14]
October 8North Dakotadagger
L 0–209,000[15][16]
October 15at Western Illinois*
W 17–1613,500[17]
October 22at South Dakota State
W 15–1015,193[18]
October 29at No. 4 North Dakota State
L 6–95,100[19][20]
November 5at Northern Iowa
L 14–3410,500[21]
November 12at Nebraska–Omaha
  • Inman Field
  • Vermillion, SD
W 35–141,000[3]
  • *Non-conference game
  • daggerHomecoming
  • Rankings from AP Poll released prior to the game

[22]

Game summaries

At Nebraska–Omaha

Week 1: South Dakota at Nebraska-Omaha
1 234Total
South Dakota 0 0313 16
• Nebraska-Omaha 7 208 17
  • Date: Sept 3
  • Location: Omaha, NE
  • Game attendance: 10,000
Scoring summary
1UNOBobby Bass 4-yard run (Mark Schlect kick)UNO 7-0
2UNOSafety, Steve Winkel tackled in end zoneUNO 9-0
3SDKnud Nielsen 36-yard field goalUNO 9-3
4SDMike Maguire 1-yard run (kick blocked)TIE 9-9
4SDMaguire 82-yard run (Nielsen kick)UNO 16-9
4UNOJim Ripa 1-yard run (Bass pass from Bownkamp)UNO 17-16

On September 3, South Dakota opened its season with a 17–16 loss to the Nebraska–Omaha Mavericks. The game drew a record crowd of 10,000 to Al F. Caniglia Field in Omaha, Nebraska. Nebraska-Omaha took a 9–0 lead at halftime on a touchdown run by Bobby Bass and a safety. South Dakota came back with 16 unanswered points in the third and fourth quarters to take a 16–9 lead. South Dakota running back Mike Maguire, who totaled 155 rushing yards in the game, scored two touchdowns in the final five minutes of the game. His second touchdown came on an 82-yard run with 2:49 remaining. Nebraska then drove down the field for a touchdown and successfully converted a two-point conversion with 1:31 remaining.[10]

Morningside

Week 2: Morningside at South Dakota
1 234Total
Morningside 7 030 10
• South Dakota 3 0615 24
Scoring summary
1MORNGreg Mieras 4-yard run (Rick Schramek kick)MORN 7-0
1SDKnud Nielsen 32-yard field goalMORN 7-3
3MORNSchranmek 32-yard field goalMORN 10-3
3SDMike Maguire 89-yard run (kick failed)MORN 10-9
4SDBrian Barns 2-yard run (Russ Dokken pass from Steve WinkelSD 17-10
4SDWinkel 46-yard run (Nielsen kick))SD 24-10

On September 10, South Dakota won its home opener, defeating the Morningside Chiefs by a 24–10 score before a crowd of more than 7,000 at Inman Field in Vermillion, South Dakota. Morningside led, 7–3, at halftime, but the Coyotes outscored Morningside, 21–3, in the second half. Quarterback Steve Winkel led the comeback with key passes, and running back Mike Maguire ran for a total of 146 yards on 16 carries, including a school-record 89-yard touchdown in the third quarter. The victory was the 100th of Beanie Cooper's head coaching career. Linebacker Dave Combs recorded 17 tackles for the Coyotes.[11]

At Northern Colorado

Week 3: South Dakota at Northern Colorado
1 234Total
South Dakota 0 1000 10
• Northern Colorado 0 3010 13
Scoring summary
2SDKnud Nielsen 48-yard field goalSD 3-0
2SDJerry Biezuns 13-yard pass from Steve Winkel (Nielsen kick)SD 10-0
2NCCOLDale Stone 23-yard field goalSD 10-3
4NCOLJim Goodenberger 2-yard run (Stone kick)TIE 10-10
40:06NCOLStone 27-yard field goalNCOL 13-10

On September 17, South Dakota played a road game against the Northern Colorado Bears, losing by a 13–10 score at Greeley, Colorado. The Coyotes led, 10-3, at halftime following a 48-yard field goal from Knud Nielsen and a 13-yard touchdown pass from Steve Winkel to Jerry Biezuns. The Coyotes were unable to score in the second half while Northern Colorado scored 10 points in the fourth quarter. Late in the third quarter, Mike Maguire fumbled a punt, giving Northern Colorado possession at the Coyotes' 28-yard line. A personal foul penalty advanced the ball to the 14, and Jim Goodenberger ran for the tying touchdown. Late in the game, Northern Colorado converted a fourth-and-six play to advance the ball to the Coyotes' 27-yard line. With six seconds remaining in the game, Dale Stone kicked the game-winning field goal. South Dakota out-gained Northern Colorado by 257 yards to 178, but the Coyotes turned the ball over six times.[23]

At Northeast Missouri State

Week 4: South Dakota at Northeast Missouri State
1 234Total
South Dakota 0 070 7
• Northeast Missouri 13 600 19
Scoring summary
1NEMOSteve Rampy 26-yard pass to Lloyd Henry (Kent Fenson kick)NEMO 7-0
1NEMOSteve Powell 4-yard run (pass failed)NEMO 13-0
2NEMORampy 1-yard run (kick failed)NEMO 19-0
4SDKevin Boehmer 10-yard run (Knud Nielsen kick)NEMO 19-7

On September 24, South Dakota lost a road game against Northeast Missouri State, falling by a 19–7 score in Kirksville, Missouri. Due to injuries, the Coyotes played the game without the team's star running back Mike Maguire (twisted knee) and without starting quarterback Steve Winkel (broken hand). Coach Cooper's son, Tim Cooper, took over at quarterback and fumbled in the first quarter, leading to Northeast Missouri State's first touchdown. Northeast Missouri running back rushed for 184 yards on 25 carries. Northeast Missouri State out-gained the Coyotes by 367 yards to 202.[13]

North Dakota

Week 6: North Dakota at South Dakota
1 234Total
• North Dakota 0 1406 20
South Dakota 0 000 0
Scoring summary
2UNDKirk Anderson 1-yard run (Tom Biolo kick)UND 7-0
2UNDAnderson 1-yard run (Biolo kick)UND 14-0
4UNDTony Veith 1-yard run (kick failed)UND 20-0

On October 8, South Dakota was shut out, 20-0, in its annual rivalry game with the North Dakota Fighting Sioux. North Dakota scored two touchdowns in the second quarter and one in the fourth. Two of the touchdowns came after the defense intercepted Coyote passes. In all, North Dakota's defense tallied four interceptions and recovered three of six South Dakota fumbles. South Dakota had a touchdown erased due to a penalty and also missed a field goal.[15][16]

At Western Illinois

Week 7: South Dakota at Western Illinois
1 234Total
• South Dakota 3 707 17
Western Illinois 10 600 16
Scoring summary
1WIDon Vock 35-yard field goalWI 3-0
1SDKnud Nielsen 24-yard field goalTIE 3-3
1WIJerry Holloway 47-yard pass from Mark Jehn (Vock kick)WI 10-3
2USDBrian Barnes 1-yard run (Nielsen kick)TIE 10-10
2WIMike Shadley 10-yard pass from Jehn (kick failed)WI 16-10
4USDKevin Cusick 1-yard run (Nielsen kick)USD 17-16

On October 15, South Dakota defeated the Western Illinois Leathernecks, 17–16, at Hanson Field in Macomb, Illinois. The Coyotes trailed, 16–10, at halftime. After a scoreless third quarter, the Coyotes drove 80 yards beginning with 5:35 remaining in the game. Kevin Cusick scored on a one-yard run, and Knud Nielsen's extra point gave South Dakota the led with 56 seconds remaining. The Coyotes rushed for 274 yards, led by Mike Maguire with 120 yards and Scott Pollock with 87 yards. Western Illinois quarterback completed 7 of 23 passes for 178 yards. The victory snapped South Dakota's four-game losing streak.[17]

At South Dakota State

Week 8: South Dakota at South Dakota State
1 234Total
• South Dakota 0 663 15
South Dakota State 7 030 10
Scoring summary
1SDSUGary Maffett 81-yard run (Doug Schlosser kick)SDSU 7-0
2USDKevin Cusick 1-yard run (kick failed)SDSU 7-6
3USDHugh Venrick 13-yard pass from Scott Pollock (run failed)USD 12-7
3SDSUSchlosser 32-yard field goalUSD 12-10
4USDKnud Nielsen 40-yard field goalUSD 15-10

On October 22, South Dakota won its annual "Hobo Day" rivalry game against the South Dakota State Jackrabbits by a 15–10 score. The game was played before a crowd of 15,193 at Coughlin–Alumni Stadium in Brookings, South Dakota. South Dakota State took an early lead when Gary Maffett ran 81 yards for a touchdown in the first quarter. The Coyotes came from behind, scoring touchdowns in the second and third quarters and kicking a field goal in the fourth quarter. Mike Maguire rushed for 112 yards on 30 carries, while Kevin Cusick and Scott Pollock added 70 and 65 rushing yards, respectively.[18]

At North Dakota State

Week 9: South Dakota at North Dakota State
1 234Total
South Dakota 0 033 6
• North Dakota State 3 600 9
Scoring summary
1NDSUMike McTagueNDSU 3-0
2NDSUGordy Sprattler 4-yard run (run failed)NDSU 9-0
3USDKnud Nielsen 21-yard field goalNDSU 9-3
4USDKnud Nielsen 31-yard field goalNDSU 9-6

On October 29, South Dakota lost to the North Dakota State Bison by a 9–6 score. Despite the loss, the Coyotes' defense held the Bison to 159 rushing yards (half of their season average) and nine points (24 points lower than their season average).[24]

Nebraska–Omaha

Week 11: Nebraska–Omaha at South Dakota
1 234Total
Nebraska-Omaha 0 077 14
• South Dakota 7 7714 35
Scoring summary
1SDKevin Cusick 2-yard run (Knud Nielsen kick)SD 7-0
2SDCusick 3-yard run (Nielsen kick)SD 14-0
3SDMike Maguire 67-yard run (Nielsen kick)SD 21-0
3UNOBobby Bass 11-yard pass from Mike Mancuso (Mark Schlecht kick)SD 21-7
4SDHugh Venrick 13-yard pass from Bill Moats (Nielseen kick)SD 28-7
4UNOBass 1-yard run (Schlecht kick)SD 28-14
4SDMaguire 51-yard run (Nielsen kick)SD 35-14

On November 12, South Dakota closed its 1977 season with a 35–14 victory over Nebraska–Omaha at Inman Field in Vermillion. It was the second game of the season between the two schools. South Dakota rushed for 399 rushing yards while holding Nebraska–Omaha to only 31 rushing yards. Running back Mike Maguire led the attack and set school and NCC records with 271 rushing yards on 37 carries. He concluded the season with 983 rushing yards in nine games, having missed two games with a knee injury. Defensive back Bill Moats intercepted a pass and also threw a 13-yard touchdown pass on a fake field goal. Moats was also the team's punter and broke the school's season record with an average of 42.1 yards per punt.[3]

Roster

1977 South Dakota Coyotes football team roster
Players Coaches
Offense
Pos. # Name Class
QB Tim Cooper
RB Kevin Cusick
RB Mike Maguire
G Mike Lee
QB Scott Pollock
QB Steve Winkel
WR Vince Duncombe
C Mike Schurrer
G Monte Beck
OT Mike Murphey
OT Ed Sundby
TE Hugh Venrick
WR Doug Smith
Defense
Pos. # Name Class
LB Matt Kiger
CB Clyde McCormick
DB Bill Moats
DL Dave Schwab
DL Bob Potvin
DL Dave Hultgren
DL Mark Salstrand
DL Tim Cheever
DL Bob DeGeest
LB David Combs
LB Ben Long
DB John Austin
DB Bob Gruber
Special teams
Pos. # Name Class
PK Knud Nielsen
P Bill Moats
Head coach
Coordinators/assistant coaches
Legend
  • (C) Team captain
  • (S) Suspended
  • (I) Ineligible
  • Injured Injured
  • Redshirt Redshirt

References

  1. ^ "North Central". Billings Gazette. Billings, Montana. November 20, 1977. p. 3E. Retrieved July 5, 2020 – via Newspapers.com Open access icon.
  2. ^ "USD to get another shot at Mavericks". Sioux City Journal. September 8, 1977. p. 16. Retrieved January 20, 2022 – via Newspapers.com.
  3. ^ a b c "Maguire sets rushing record". Sioux Falls Argus-Leader. November 13, 1977. p. 1B. Retrieved January 20, 2022 – via Newspapers.com.
  4. ^ "Coyote, Rabbit players tabbed". The Daily Republic. Mitchell, SD. Associated Press. November 16, 1977. p. 17. Retrieved January 20, 2022 – via Newspapers.com.
  5. ^ "Coyote captains named". Sioux Falls Argus-Leader. September 2, 1977. p. 2B. Retrieved January 20, 2022 – via Newspapers.com.
  6. ^ "Seven repeat on all-NCC". Argus-Leader. November 30, 1977. p. 15 – via Newspapers.com.
  7. ^ "2021 South Dakota Football Media Guide" (PDF). University of South Dakota Athletics. p. 44. Retrieved January 22, 2022.
  8. ^ "Quarterback battle hot". Sioux Falls Argus-Leader. August 16, 1977. p. 1B. Retrieved January 22, 2022 – via Newspapers.com.
  9. ^ "Braves, Jacks at home -- Vikings, Coyotes travel". Sioux Falls Argus-Leader. September 2, 1977. p. 1B. Retrieved January 22, 2022 – via Newspapers.com.
  10. ^ a b "Mavericks tip Coyotes". Sioux City Journal. September 4, 1977 – via Newspapers.com. Open access icon
  11. ^ a b Smith, Dean (September 11, 1977). "Coyotes whip Morningside". Argus-Leader – via Newspapers.com. Open access icon
  12. ^ "Coyotes edged 13-10". Rapid City Journal. September 18, 1977 – via Newspapers.com. Open access icon
  13. ^ a b "Northeast Missouri tops South Dakota". Argus-Leader. September 25, 1977 – via Newspapers.com. Open access icon
  14. ^ Hansen, Greg (October 3, 1977). "Vikings conquer South Dakota". The Daily Republic – via Newspapers.com. Open access icon
  15. ^ a b "Coyote mistakes aid North Dakota's win". Sioux City Journal. October 9, 1977. p. D3 – via Newspapers.com.
  16. ^ a b "Turnovers hurt USD". Rapid City Journal. October 9, 1977 – via Newspapers.com. Open access icon
  17. ^ a b "Coyotes score in final minute to end four-game losing skid". Argus-Leader. October 16, 1977. p. 19 – via Newspapers.com.
  18. ^ a b Egan, John (October 23, 1977). "Invading Red jars Jacks". Sioux Falls Argus-Leader. p. 1C. Retrieved January 20, 2022 – via Newspapers.com.
  19. ^ "Bison squeeze past Coyotes 9–6". Argus-Leader. October 30, 1977. Retrieved October 5, 2021 – via Newspapers.com.
  20. ^ "Coyotes almost get it done". Argus-Leader. October 30, 1977. p. 1B – via Newspapers.com.
  21. ^ Smith, Russ L. (November 6, 1977). "Ellis keys 34-14 Panther victory". The Waterloo-Cedar Falls Courier. p. 39. Retrieved January 20, 2022 – via Newspapers.com.
  22. ^ "Final 1977 Cumulative Football Statistics Report". National Collegiate Athletic Association. Retrieved December 23, 2022.
  23. ^ "Late field goal nips South Dakota, 13-10". Sioux City Journal. September 18, 1977. p. D3 – via Newspapers.com.
  24. ^ "Coyotes almost get it done". Sioux Falls Argus-Leader. October 30, 1977. p. 1B – via Newspapers.com.
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