1977 South Dakota Coyotes football team

American college football season August 2023 February 2026 football 1977 South Dakota Coyotes North Central Conference NCC 4–7 2–4–1 Beanie Cooper 3rd Matt Kiger Mike Maguire Inman Field 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. North Central https://www.newspapers.com/clip/54755917/the-billings-gazette/ Billings Gazette Billings, Montana November 20, 1977 3E July 5, 2020 Newspapers.com The team played two games against 1977 Nebraska–Omaha Mavericks Nebraska–Omaha in order to save money on travel; each game counted as a half-game in the conference standings.USD to get another shot at Mavericks https://www.newspapers.com/clip/93083444/sioux-city-journal/ January 20, 2022 Sioux City Journal September 8, 1977 16 Newspapers.com 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. The Associated Press named Maguire one of their two NCC players of the week for his performance.Coyote, Rabbit players tabbed https://www.newspapers.com/clip/93083947/the-daily-republic/ January 20, 2022 The Daily Republic Associated Press November 16, 1977 Mitchell, SD 17 Newspapers.com Maguire and linebacker Matt Kiger were selected as the team's captains prior to the season.Coyote captains named https://www.newspapers.com/clip/93083041/argus-leader/ January 20, 2022 Sioux Falls Argus-Leader September 2, 1977 2B Newspapers.com 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.Seven repeat on all-NCC Argus-Leader November 30, 1977 15 https://www.newspapers.com/clip/93086581/seven-repeat-on-all-ncc/ Newspapers.com Schedule 1977 NCAA Division II AP September 3 l y 1977 Nebraska–Omaha Mavericks Nebraska–Omaha Al F. Caniglia Field Omaha, NE 16–17 10,000 https://www.newspapers.com/clip/93075899/sioux-city-journal/ Sioux City Journal Newspapers.com September 4, 1977 Mavericks tip Coyotes September 10 w 1977 Morningside Chiefs Morningside Inman Field Vermillion, SD 24–10 7,000–7,100 https://www.newspapers.com/clip/93076100/argus-leader/ Argus-Leader Newspapers.com September 11, 1977 Coyotes whip Morningside Smith, Dean September 17 l y y 1977 Northern Colorado Bears Northern Colorado Greeley, CO 10–13 900 https://www.newspapers.com/clip/93076226/rapid-city-journal/ Rapid City Journal Newspapers.com September 18, 1977 Coyotes edged 13-10 September 24 l y y 1977 Northeast Missouri State Bulldogs Northeast Missouri State Stokes Stadium Kirksville, MO 7–19 5,000 https://www.newspapers.com/clip/93076356/argus-leader/ Argus-Leader Newspapers.com September 25, 1977 Northeast Missouri tops South Dakota October 1 l 1977 Augustana (South Dakota) Vikings Augustana (SD) Inman Field Vermillion, SD 8–14 2,500 https://www.newspapers.com/clip/93076435/the-daily-republic/ The Daily Republic Newspapers.com October 3, 1977 Vikings conquer South Dakota Hansen, Greg October 8 l y 1977 North Dakota Fighting Sioux North Dakota Inman Field Vermillion, SD Sitting Bull Trophy 0–20 9,000 Coyote mistakes aid North Dakota's win Sioux City Journal October 9, 1977 D3 https://www.newspapers.com/clip/93083277/coyote-mistakes-aid-north-dakotas-win/ Newspapers.comhttps://www.newspapers.com/clip/93076544/rapid-city-journal/ Rapid City Journal Newspapers.com October 9, 1977 Turnovers hurt USD October 15 w y y 1977 Western Illinois Leathernecks Western Illinois Hanson Field Macomb, IL 17–16 13,500 Coyotes score in final minute to end four-game losing skid Argus-Leader October 16, 1977 19 https://www.newspapers.com/clip/93082043/coyotes-score-in-final-minute-to-end/ Newspapers.com October 22 w y 1977 South Dakota State Jackrabbits South Dakota State Coughlin–Alumni Stadium Brookings, SD Hobo Day, rivalry 15–10 15,193 Egan John Invading Red jars Jacks https://www.newspapers.com/clip/93081614/argus-leader/ January 20, 2022 Sioux Falls Argus-Leader October 23, 1977 1C Newspapers.com October 29 l y North Dakota State 4 Dacotah Field Fargo, ND 6–9 5,100 https://www.newspapers.com/clip/86535110/bison-squeeze-past-coyotes-96/ Argus-Leader Bison squeeze past Coyotes 9–6 October 30, 1977 October 5, 2021 Newspapers.comCoyotes almost get it done Argus-Leader October 30, 1977 1B https://www.newspapers.com/clip/93082600/coyotes-almost-get-it-done/ Newspapers.com November 5 l y Northern Iowa UNI-Dome Cedar Falls, IA 14–34 10,500 Smith Russ L. Ellis keys 34-14 Panther victory https://www.newspapers.com/clip/93082148/the-courier/ January 20, 2022 The Waterloo-Cedar Falls Courier November 6, 1977 39 Newspapers.com November 12 w y Nebraska–Omaha Inman Field Vermillion, SD 35–14 1,000 Maguire sets rushing record https://www.newspapers.com/clip/93082669/argus-leader/ January 20, 2022 Sioux Falls Argus-Leader November 13, 1977 1B Newspapers.com Final 1977 Cumulative Football Statistics Report https://stats.ncaa.org/team/650/stats/12867 National Collegiate Athletic Association December 23, 2022 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).2021 South Dakota Football Media Guide https://goyotes.com/documents/2021/8/25/2021_FB_Media_Guide.pdf University of South Dakota Athletics January 22, 2022 44 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.Quarterback battle hot https://www.newspapers.com/clip/93223618/argus-leader/ January 22, 2022 Sioux Falls Argus-Leader August 16, 1977 1B Newspapers.com Pollock was ultimately chosen to start in the team's first game against Nebraska–Omaha.Braves, Jacks at home -- Vikings, Coyotes travel https://www.newspapers.com/clip/93223769/argus-leader/ January 22, 2022 Sioux Falls Argus-Leader September 2, 1977 1B Newspapers.com Game summaries At Nebraska–Omaha Week 1: South Dakota at Nebraska-Omaha South Dakota 0 0 3 13 Nebraska-Omaha 7 2 0 8 Sept 3 Omaha, NE 10,000 yes 1 UNO Bobby Bass 4-yard run (Mark Schlect kick) UNO 7-0 2 UNO Safety, Steve Winkel tackled in end zone UNO 9-0 3 SD Knud Nielsen 36-yard field goal UNO 9-3 4 SD Mike Maguire 1-yard run (kick blocked) TIE 9-9 4 SD Maguire 82-yard run (Nielsen kick) UNO 16-9 4 UNO Jim Ripa 1-yard run (Bass pass from Bownkamp) UNO 17-16 yes On September 3, South Dakota opened its season with a 17–16 loss to the 1977 Nebraska–Omaha Mavericks 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. Morningside Week 2: Morningside at South Dakota Morningside 7 0 3 0 South Dakota 3 0 6 15 Sept 10 Vermillion, SD > 7,000 yes 1 MORN Greg Mieras 4-yard run (Rick Schramek kick) MORN 7-0 1 SD Knud Nielsen 32-yard field goal MORN 7-3 3 MORN Schranmek 32-yard field goal MORN 10-3 3 SD Mike Maguire 89-yard run (kick failed) MORN 10-9 4 SD Brian Barns 2-yard run (Russ Dokken pass from Steve Winkel SD 17-10 4 SD Winkel 46-yard run (Nielsen kick)) SD 24-10 yes On September 10, South Dakota won its home opener, defeating the 1977 Morningside Chiefs 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. At Northern Colorado Week 3: South Dakota at Northern Colorado South Dakota 0 10 0 0 Northern Colorado 0 3 0 10 Sept 17 Greeley, CO yes 2 SD Knud Nielsen 48-yard field goal SD 3-0 2 SD Jerry Biezuns 13-yard pass from Steve Winkel (Nielsen kick) SD 10-0 2 NCCOL Dale Stone 23-yard field goal SD 10-3 4 NCOL Jim Goodenberger 2-yard run (Stone kick) TIE 10-10 4 0:06 NCOL Stone 27-yard field goal NCOL 13-10 yes On September 17, South Dakota played a road game against the 1977 Northern Colorado Bears 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.Late field goal nips South Dakota, 13-10 Sioux City Journal September 18, 1977 D3 https://www.newspapers.com/clip/93092568/late-field-goal-nips-south-dakota-13-10/ Newspapers.com At Northeast Missouri State Week 4: South Dakota at Northeast Missouri State South Dakota 0 0 7 0 Northeast Missouri 13 6 0 0 Sept 24 Kirksville, MO yes 1 NEMO Steve Rampy 26-yard pass to Lloyd Henry (Kent Fenson kick) NEMO 7-0 1 NEMO Steve Powell 4-yard run (pass failed) NEMO 13-0 2 NEMO Rampy 1-yard run (kick failed) NEMO 19-0 4 SD Kevin Boehmer 10-yard run (Knud Nielsen kick) NEMO 19-7 yes On September 24, South Dakota lost a road game against 1977 Northeast Missouri State Bulldogs 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. North Dakota Week 6: North Dakota at South Dakota North Dakota 0 14 0 6 South Dakota 0 0 0 0 Oct 8 Vermillion, SD yes 2 UND Kirk Anderson 1-yard run (Tom Biolo kick) UND 7-0 2 UND Anderson 1-yard run (Biolo kick) UND 14-0 4 UND Tony Veith 1-yard run (kick failed) UND 20-0 yes On October 8, South Dakota was shut out, 20-0, in its annual rivalry game with the 1977 North Dakota Fighting Sioux 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. At Western Illinois Week 7: South Dakota at Western Illinois South Dakota 3 7 0 7 Western Illinois 10 6 0 0 Oct 15 Macomb, IL yes 1 WI Don Vock 35-yard field goal WI 3-0 1 SD Knud Nielsen 24-yard field goal TIE 3-3 1 WI Jerry Holloway 47-yard pass from Mark Jehn (Vock kick) WI 10-3 2 USD Brian Barnes 1-yard run (Nielsen kick) TIE 10-10 2 WI Mike Shadley 10-yard pass from Jehn (kick failed) WI 16-10 4 USD Kevin Cusick 1-yard run (Nielsen kick) USD 17-16 yes On October 15, South Dakota defeated the 1977 Western Illinois Leathernecks 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. At South Dakota State Week 8: South Dakota at South Dakota State South Dakota 0 6 6 3 South Dakota State 7 0 3 0 Oct 22 Brookings, SD 15,193 yes 1 SDSU Gary Maffett 81-yard run (Doug Schlosser kick) SDSU 7-0 2 USD Kevin Cusick 1-yard run (kick failed) SDSU 7-6 3 USD Hugh Venrick 13-yard pass from Scott Pollock (run failed) USD 12-7 3 SDSU Schlosser 32-yard field goal USD 12-10 4 USD Knud Nielsen 40-yard field goal USD 15-10 yes On October 22, South Dakota won its annual "Hobo Day" rivalry game against the 1977 South Dakota State Jackrabbits 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. At North Dakota State Week 9: South Dakota at North Dakota State South Dakota 0 0 3 3 North Dakota State 3 6 0 0 Oct 29 Fargo, ND yes 1 NDSU Mike McTague NDSU 3-0 2 NDSU Gordy Sprattler 4-yard run (run failed) NDSU 9-0 3 USD Knud Nielsen 21-yard field goal NDSU 9-3 4 USD Knud Nielsen 31-yard field goal NDSU 9-6 yes 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).Coyotes almost get it done Sioux Falls Argus-Leader October 30, 1977 1B https://www.newspapers.com/clip/93082600/coyotes-almost-get-it-done/ Newspapers.com Nebraska–Omaha Week 11: Nebraska–Omaha at South Dakota Nebraska-Omaha 0 0 7 7 South Dakota 7 7 7 14 Nov 12 Vermillion, SD yes 1 SD Kevin Cusick 2-yard run (Knud Nielsen kick) SD 7-0 2 SD Cusick 3-yard run (Nielsen kick) SD 14-0 3 SD Mike Maguire 67-yard run (Nielsen kick) SD 21-0 3 UNO Bobby Bass 11-yard pass from Mike Mancuso (Mark Schlecht kick) SD 21-7 4 SD Hugh Venrick 13-yard pass from Bill Moats (Nielseen kick) SD 28-7 4 UNO Bass 1-yard run (Schlecht kick) SD 28-14 4 SD Maguire 51-yard run (Nielsen kick) SD 35-14 yes 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. Roster 1977 South Dakota Coyotes y Tim Cooper QB n Kevin Cusick RB n Mike Maguire RB n Mike Lee OG n Scott Pollock QB n Steve Winkel QB n Vince Duncombe WR n Mike Schurrer C n Monte Beck OG n Mike Murphey OT n Ed Sundby OT n Hugh Venrick TE n Doug Smith WR n Matt Kiger LB Clyde McCormick CB Bill Moats DB n Dave Schwab DL n Bob Potvin DL n Dave Hultgren DL n Mark Salstrand DL n Tim Cheever DL n Bob DeGeest DL n David Combs LB n Ben Long LB n John Austin DB n Bob Gruber DB n Knud Nielsen PK n Bill Moats P n Beanie Cooper References South Dakota Category:South Dakota Coyotes football seasons South Dakota Coyotes football