Photo by Jake Przytarski SMSU’s Nathan Hill tries to slow down the University of Sioux Falls’ Winston Maxwell during their game on Saturday. The Mustangs fell to the Cougars 51-7.

MARSHALL – An injury-depleted Southwest Minnesota State University football team could not keep up with the run-heavy University of Sioux Falls offense on Saturday as the Cougars gashed the Mustangs for 358 yards on the ground and 564 yards of total offense in a 51-7 rout at Mattke Field.

SMSU coach Cory Sauter acknowledged that the team had a number of holes to fill in the absence of multiple key players for Saturday’s game.

“We definitely have our share of injuries, but over the course of the week it certainly isn’t the focal point. We’re going to practice with who we have and it’s our jobs to help develop those that aren’t ready to play yet,” said Sauter. “We had a true freshman start at right tackle for us here today and so we went out there and battled. We’ll watch the film and see how everyone did, but we’re working through it. We’re not going to just stop and ask anyone to feel sorry for us, we just have to keep working.”

Sauter went on to tip his cap to Sioux Falls for their performance and said the Mustangs won’t let the lopsided result stop them from seeking to grow and improve.

“We were dominated in every shape and form and they’re a good team,” said Sauter. “I certainly tip my cap to Sioux Falls because they are one of the premier teams in the Northern Sun and we’re not there yet. Until we get some things corrected and figured out and grow and learn and get older in a hurry we’re going to struggle, but we’re not going to give up. (Our) kids are going to battle.”

Daniel Davis

continues to shine

In a game with very few things to cheer about on the either side of the football, SMSU wide receiver Daniel Davis provided a bright spot by collecting his 100th catch in a Mustang uniform and finished with a game-high eight catches for 94 yards.

The Tarpon Springs, Florida native accounted for over half of the team’s total offense (160 yards) and was a go-to target for Paul Herrera in his debut. A 44-yard grab by Davis late in the first half was the lone big play of the day for the Mustangs offense that helped set up a two-yard plunge by running back Trey Sachs for the team’s only touchdown.

Sauter said Davis finds ways to make plays regardless of who’s under center.

“He’s a very consistent player. It doesn’t matter who’s out there playing quarterback,” said Sauter. “He’s a major part of our offense and we’re always going to try and find ways to get him the ball. He’s just a dynamic player. We’d love to find ways to get him the ball even more, that would be even better.”

Following Saturday’s game, Davis is now up to 22 receptions for 310 yards and pair of touchdowns so far this season.

Miscues and

turnovers prove costly

In the first half alone, the Mustangs turned the ball over three times on interceptions by Herrera that the Cougars would twice convert into points with a pair of touchdowns. Unfortunately, the pair of interceptions may not have been the most deflating of the team’s early miscues.

Minutes into the first quarter the Mustangs trailed USF by a field goal when they were given a golden opportunity to take the lead following a fumble recovery at the Cougars 23 yard-line by Ken Truitt. The opportunity was left squandered, however, as back to back errant snaps put the ball all the way back at midfield where they would be forced to punt.

Sauter likened the sequence to a turnover due to their inability to come away with any points.

“We went from a very ideal situation to pretty much a desperate situation with two balls getting shot over the QB’s head and it’s unfortunate because that’s basically almost like a turnover from our side,” said Sauter. “We were right there at least in position to maybe take some shots at the end zone and we were unable to even attempt that and that definitely took some steam out of us on that series.”

Sauter went on to say that the defense needs to be given more support by limiting turnovers that create short fields.

“Obviously, the turnovers created some short fields for our defense. Now, all of a sudden, they’re in a tough spot. We need to provide them as much support as we can and turning the ball over on a short field certainly isn’t the best way to do that,” said Sauter.

Run-defense

continues to struggle

The Mustangs entered Saturday’s contest as the worst team in DII football in terms of run-defense with 654 yards given up through two games on 5.69 yards per carry. In all likelihood, SMSU will remain at the bottom of the list following the Cougars dynamic rushing effort that netted 358 yards on 8 yards per carry.

USF finished the game with two 100-yard rushers in Thuro Reisdorfer and Ja’Tai Jenkins, who both broke loose for 50-yard rushing touchdowns. In total, the Mustangs gave up seven rushing touchdowns in the contest.

Up next

The Mustangs will hit the road for their next matchup on Saturday when they take on Upper Iowa at 6 p.m. in Fayette, Iowa. Sauter’s main focus in the upcoming matchup is to ensure that each and every player executes their job to the best of their ability.

“I just want to see just a high level of consistency in terms of just knowing what you’re supposed to be doing,” said Sauter. “You might get beat physically from time to time but as long as we are fundamentally sound and in the right gap or blocking the right person we have a chance. I think at times if we were to watch today’s game we just didn’t give ourselves a chance because we’re not where we’re supposed to be, so we have to get that corrected and part of it is just some of that inexperience level at certain spots.”