VERMILLION, S.D. – It wasn't pretty at times in the DakotaDome on Saturday afternoon, as both Illinois State and South Dakota State struggled to get any sizable momentum in a crucial Missouri Valley Football Conference contest. However, it was the No. 18 ranked Redbirds (5-3, 2-2 MVFC) who took a lead just before halftime and never relinquished it against the No. 21 ranked Coyotes (5-4, 3-2 MVFC) as they held on for a gritty 21-13 road victory in front of 6,333 South Dakota fans.
How It Happened:
• South Dakota took the opening kickoff and drove 66 yards in 13 plays, but had to settle for a field goal as a pass breakup in the endzone by Mason Kaplan forced a 37 yards field goal make by Will Leyland that made the score 3-0 in favor of USD with 8:47 left in the first quarter.