Rivalry: Jackrabbits stifle Coyotes despite late surge
South Dakota State held a 28-point advantage until the final two minutes, surviving a four-score comeback attempt to win 31-21 in the Rivalry.
By Hugo Cook ·
The rivalry game in Brookings, South Dakota, turned on the ability to stop a late collapse. South Dakota State led by 14 points with just over two minutes remaining, but South Dakota scored twice in the final stretch. The Jackrabbits answered with a field goal to secure a 31-21 victory, preserving their top-five national ranking.
The game followed a pattern of dominance followed by urgency. South Dakota State opened with a 2-yard run by James Basinger. Chase Mason added two touchdown passes early in the second half. Josiah Johnson extended the lead to 28-0 with a 5-yard run in the third quarter. The Jackrabbits held a 28-point lead for a stretch before the Coyotes began to chip away.
South Dakota responded in the final period. Austyn Modrzewski connected with Brayden White for a 4-yard touchdown. He followed with a 59-yard pass to Bryce Cohoon to cut the deficit to 28-14. Modrzewski threw a 22-yard touchdown to Chris Herrin with 2:08 left, making the score 28-21. That pass ended a 74-yard drive that signaled the closest the Coyotes would come.
South Dakota State sealed the result in the final seconds. Johnson ran for 43 yards to set up position for Tristan Alvano. Alvano kicked a 34-yard field goal with 19 seconds remaining. The kick put the game out of reach for the hosts.
Mason completed 16 of 26 passes for 232 yards. Basinger finished with 84 rushing yards, while Johnson carried the ball for 126 yards. Modrzewski threw for 233 yards on 21 of 27 attempts. South Dakota ended a four-game winning streak with the loss.
The Jackrabbits now hold an 11-3 record in the last 14 meetings. The series dates to 1889, with South Dakota State leading 59-53-7. South Dakota hosts Northern Iowa on November 14. South Dakota State plays at Northern Iowa on Saturday.
Source: Newsday
