Sims Paces USD Past Colgate

VERMILLION, SD -- South Dakota senior running back Marcus Sims ran for 127 yards and a score to lead the Coyotes to a 31-21 win against Colgate Saturday at DakotaDome.

Sims headed three USD rushers who combined for 238 yards and four touchdowns. Quarterback Josh Vander Maten had 73 yards and two first-half scores. Jasper Sanders gave the Coyotes their first lead, 21-14, with a 7-yard run to open the second half.

Colgate quarterback Gavin McCarney ran for 108 yards, passed for 96 and was responsible for all three of the Raiders' touchdowns. Jordan McCord added 125 yards on the ground for Colgate (0-2).

Joe Glenn earned his first win as coach at his alma mater and his 189th career victory overall. It was also the first win as a starter for Vander Maten.

"I'm proud of our offensive line," said Vander Maten. "They came to play and they won that game for us. They made it easy for us to run. We improved this week and that's what we were looking to do."

South Dakota (1-1) averaged nearly six yards a carry against Colgate one week after totaling 61 yards rushing in last week's loss at Montana. The Coyotes eclipsed that total before halftime.

"(USD fullback) Quinton McMartin blocked his heart out today," said Glenn. "He should be singled out on an exceptional day blocking. Hats off to Q. He's a tough athlete."

South Dakota broke a 14-14 halftime tie by marching 64 yards on nine plays on the first possession of the third quarter. Emilious Davis forced McCarney to fumble on the Raiders' ensuing drive and Kevin Robb kicked a 34-yard field goal to give the Coyotes a 24-14 lead.

Vander Maten had a pass tip off the hands of his receiver and Chad Frey came away with an interception late in the third quarter. McCarney's 13-yard touchdown run four plays later brought Colgate to within three, 24-21.

A 23-yard pass from Vander Maten to McMartin down to the 5-yard line set up Sims who scored on the next play to push the lead back to 10 with 9:31 remaining. Vander Maten finished 12-of-15 for 102 yards through the air.

South Dakota sacked McCarney for the fifth and final time on 4th-and-4 from the USD 41 to end the next drive and cement the win. Six Coyote defenders combined to earn the five sacks.

Next up: South Dakota is off next week, but will take on Northwestern in Evanston, Ill., Sept. 22. The start time for that contest is expected to be announced within the next few days.

Courtesy:  University of South Dakota