Official Athletic Web Site of the University of South Dakota Coyotes - Football

Sept. 23, 2000

FARGO, N.D. -- Number three-ranked North Dakota State University, led by a school-record 260 yards rushing by senior running back Lamar Gordon, defeated South Dakota 45-20 in a North Central Conference game before 13,046 fans in the FargoDome.

South Dakota (2-2, 0-2) jumped to a 7-0 lead as sophomore quarterback Ryan Justice hit freshman wide receiver Ronnie McDougle with a 56-yard scoring toss at 13:27 of the first quarter. The touchdown was McDougle's first at USD. NDSU (4-0, 2-0) answered with a 52-yard field goal by Aaron Pederson. Then the Coyotes recovered a fumbled punt by the Bison but failed to convert when Adam Hicks' field goal hit the upright. On the next play, Gordon scored the first of his four touchdowns on a 68-yard touchdown jaunt.

Gordon scored his second touchdown of the night from one yard at the 3:55 mark of the first quarter to give NDSU a 17-7 first quarter lead. The Bison added a touchdown at the 5:36 mark of the second quarter on a six-yard pass from Ryan Johnson to Eric Nelson. The Coyotes answered that score by driving the ball 59 yards in nine plays but were forced to settle for a 20-yard field goal by Hicks with a 1:03 to play in the second quarter and trailed 24-10 at the break.

Early in the second half, the Coyotes drove 59 yards in 13 plays and used another Hicks field goal, this one from 50 yards, to cut the margin to 24-13 early in the third quarter. Then, the Bison used 75-yard and one-yard touchdown runs and a 82-yard punt return by Richard Lewis to grab a 45-13 lead. Late in the final quarter, the Coyotes scored on their second long pass play of the game when backup quarterback Brian Litecky hit freshman wide receiver Charles Johnson with a 50-yard touchdown pass. The scoring drive was four plays for 68 yards as the Coyotes closed the scoring.

The Coyotes had 18 first downs, including 12 through the air game. South Dakota had 69 yards rushing on 38 attempts and 279 yards passing for 348 yards total offense. The Bison, who also had 18 first downs, had 284 yards rushing and 129 yards passing for 413 yards of total offense. Special teams played a big role as the Bison had 111 yards in punt returns including the long touchdown return by Lewis late in the game.

Sophomore running back Kary Gantt led the Coyotes in rushing with 30 yards on 11 rushes. Justice completed 18 of 32 passes for 216 yards one touchdown and an interception. The interception was Justice's first in six games dating back to last year. He threw 139 passes without an interception until the errant throw in the fourth quarter. Litecky was 2-2 for 63 yards and the 50-yard scoring toss. Johnson had five receptions for 83 yards and a touchdown while Ronnie McDougle had four catches for 90 yards and a touchdown. Coyote punter Filip Filopovic had five punts for 215 yards (43-yard average) and a long of 53.

All-American candidate Josh Stamer led the Coyotes with 10 tackles including six unassisted stops, one tackle for a loss and a 13-yard sack. He now has four sacks on the season and 10 tackles for loss as he continues to give outstanding play from the linebacking slot. Senior cornerback Russel Burwell continues to rack up interceptions, picking off his fifth of the season, which leads the NCC.

For the Bison, Johnson completed 10 of 18 passes for 129 yards and had one interception and one touchdown. Nelson had five catches for 45 yards and a touchdown while Shane Dettman had two receptions for 60 yards.

The Coyotes return home to play Augustana College on Saturday, Sept. 30 on Dave Triplett Day. The Coyotes will honor Triplett, who has the second most wins by a head coach in Coyote history, during events on Saturday. The game will start at 7 PM in the DakotaDome.