The University of South Dakota (4-6) hosts South Dakota State (6-4) in a football rivalry game this weekend in Vermillion. Both teams seem to be playing good football right now.
The USD Coyotes will host the SDSU Jackrabbits in Vermillion Saturday for the first time since 2003. Last season SDSU and USD met in Brookings and the Jackrabbits defeated the Coyotes 31-8. South Dakota State Junior Quarterback Austin Sumner says he’s trying not to get caught up in the hype of this week’s game.
"You know, it’s another Missouri Valley conference team and we’ve got to prepare like we prepare every week. Prepare to win, because our season’s kind of counting on it," Sumner says.
Saturday’s game is also a sell out with more than 10,000 people expected to attend. USD Athletic Director David Herbster says this game in particular should be a great atmosphere for everyone attending.
"I think it’s going to be a heck of a game, I really do. Most of these players on both teams know each other, they’re aware of each other; they follow each other though because that's the other team in the state. That’s kind of how you compare yourself and it’s for bragging rights," Herbster says.
USD finished 2012 season with only one win while SDSU went on to the FCS playoffs. This season the Coyotes have four wins to this point with the game against SDSU and NDSU left on the schedule. The Jackrabbits need to win out this season to make the playoffs and they still have USD and Youngstown on the schedule. Saturday’s kickoff between the South Dakota schools is scheduled for 1:05.