South Dakota football dropped in MVFC opener at Youngstown State

It wasn't a great finish for the South Dakota football team, with the Coyotes losing the fourth quarter 21-7 to drop their first Missouri Valley Football Conference game of the season 47-28 at Youngstown State on Saturday, Sept. 26.

>The Coyotes trailed 23-21 midway through the third quarter, but the Penguins ripped off 24 consecutive points to pull away.

>South Dakota quarterback Austyn Modrzewski hit his first major struggles as the Coyotes' starting quarterback in Youngstown, Ohio. He was an efficient 16-for-22 passing with a touchdown, but was also held to 147 yards and two interceptions.

>The Coyotes did most of their damage offensively on the ground, running for 201 yards as a team. Carson Fletcher had eight rushes for 59 yards and a touchdown, Jackson Proctor had three carries for 36 yards and two scores, Reid Watkins had five rushes for 32 yards, Charles Pierre Jr. was limited to 30 yards on 11 totes and Modrzewski notched 19 yards on eight rushes.

>Brayden White led the South Dakota receivers with five grabs for 37 yards, and Tysen Boze notched three catches for 33 yards and a touchdown.

>South Dakota's defense couldn't get any push in the run game, with Youngstown State quarterback Beau Brungard recording 28 rushes for 170 yards and three touchdowns. He also went 13-for-17 for 159 yards and a touchdown through the air.

>South Dakota's next game is its first home conference game, with Indiana State coming to Vermillion on Saturday, Oct. 3. Kickoff is set for 2 p.m.

>This article originally appeared on Sioux Falls Argus Leader: South Dakota football dropped in MVFC opener at Youngstown State