The University of South Dakota left Greeley with a 38-23 victory over Northern Colorado on Saturday night, improving the Coyotes to 2-0 and holding a spot at 11th in a recent Football Championship Subdivision poll.
Late surge puts game out of reach
South Dakota built a 21-10 halftime advantage after scoring three times in the second quarter, then turned a late third-quarter rally by the Bears into the decisive stretch. After Northern Colorado trimmed the deficit to 21-17 on a 7-yard run by Justin Guin, the Coyotes responded with a 17-point run that effectively sealed the result.
Coach Matt Vitzthum credited the collective effort.
“The difference tonight is that we responded on all three phases when we needed it most,” Vitzthum said in an email. “Every unit had moments where they struggled and the other two units helped them when they needed it most.”
Key plays and discipline affected momentum
The Bears’ late third-quarter score followed a series of events stemming from a turnover. A Kenny Lueth pass was intercepted by Tim White at the South Dakota 12-yard line; White returned the pick 23 yards to the Coyotes’ 35. UNC was flagged for two penalties on the play, and a review pushed the ball back for the Bears and allowed the drive that produced Guin’s touchdown.
Northern Colorado also lost defensive back Dawson Sechser to an ejection for targeting on the play. In addition, South Dakota was assessed a personal-foul penalty against Isaiah Wray for a hit on a defenseless player. Those enforcement decisions were significant in reshaping field position and momentum late in the third quarter.
Late scoring and game management
With the game slipping away late, Bears backup quarterback Brayten Silbor connected on a 22-yard touchdown pass to Jordan Herron with just over two minutes remaining, but the effort was not enough to close the gap. UNC coach Ed Lamb said he had begun to protect his starting quarterback, Kenny Lueth, once the outcome was decided.
“I sat Lueth late when the game was out of reach to protect the quarterback, who has been the starter in the first two games,” Lamb said. “Lueth plays a physical style of football. He’s always a threat to run, and he’s banged up and bruised up.”
What this means for South Dakota
The Coyotes’ win keeps early-season momentum for a team nationally recognized in FCS circles. While the victory included moments of disciplinary strife and swings in momentum, the ability of the offense, defense and special teams to cover for one another drew direct praise from Vitzthum and should be a positive sign as the team moves deeper into nonconference and league play.
- Final score: South Dakota 38, Northern Colorado 23
- Location: Nottingham Field, Greeley
- South Dakota record: 2-0; ranked 11th in FCS poll
| Team | Score | Notable Play |
|---|---|---|
| South Dakota | 38 | 17-point run after UNC cut lead to 21-17 |
| Northern Colorado | 23 | Tim White interception; Dawson Sechser ejected |
Local implications and next steps
For South Dakota fans, the result provides an encouraging early-season snapshot: a ranked team that can manufacture separation in the second half and withstand swings created by turnovers and penalties. For Northern Colorado, the loss highlights areas — particularly in situational discipline and response to turnovers — that will need attention as the Bears seek their first win.
Game officials’ rulings on the live-ball and dead-ball penalties that preceded UNC’s third-quarter score were a point of postgame discussion. Vitzthum said he sought clarification on the application of those penalties and was told one of them was assessed as a dead-ball infraction. That exchange, and the ejection of Sechser for targeting, shaped the late third-quarter sequence that led to Guin’s short touchdown run.
As the season progresses, both programs will find lessons in the film from Nottingham Field: South Dakota for maintaining complementary football across units, and Northern Colorado for cleaning up costly penalties and protecting its defensive continuity when turnovers occur.
Coverage of both teams’ schedules and developments will continue through the season as they head into conference play and pursue postseason positioning.
