YoteCast

READ THE TRANSCRIPT

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Read the transcript

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

The Coyote Brotherhood Feature airs each week on the South Dakota football radio broadcast on the Coyote Sports Network. At halftime each week a former Coyote football player will talk about their playing days for the Yotes. The feature is presented by Maguire Iron, Hogen Haus Properties & Rentals, Boen & Associates and Pizza Ranch in Sioux Falls (41st St location).

READ THE TRANSCRIPT

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

John Thayer talks to Kylen Sealock of Coyote volleyball and Sam Herder of Hero Sports.

Read the full transcript

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

READ THE TRANSCRIPT

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

The Coyote Brotherhood Feature airs each week on the South Dakota football radio broadcast on the Coyote Sports Network. At halftime each week a former Coyote football player will talk about their playing days for the Yotes. The feature is presented by Maguire Iron, Hogen Haus Properties & Rentals, Boen & Associates and Pizza Ranch in Sioux Falls (41st St location).

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Speaker 1: >> On the Coyote Sports Network from Lear Field, this is the Yoke cast, the official podcast of the University of South Dakota Athletics, taking you inside the stories of Coyote Athletes, coaches, administrators, and more. Now here's your host, John Thayer.

John Thayer: >> Hey, what's up? How are you doing? Welcome back to another edition of the Yoke cast podcast. Great to have you for another episode as we continue our journey throughout the Coyote Athletics season and of course, the student athletes have been busy. Last week, we talked a lot about the crossover season and it is in full effect this week. The basketball teams opened up their season on Monday, of course, football is two games left in the regular season, volleyball has three games left in the regular season at the time that we do this podcast, two at home, and then of course Tuesday match up at South Dakota State. That's all leading up to the Summit League volleyball tournament which will be in the Sanford Cayote Sports Center in Vermillion. So it is busy, busy, busy. I know that indoor track and field has been really practicing. They're going to be competing here before too long swimming and diving has been in action here in the last couple of weeks. It has been really busy around USD and of course the cross country teams, they go to the Midwest Regional this week. The women's team coming off of their Summit League championship here a couple of weeks ago. Obviously, we hope that they can have a great success down in the Oklahoma region and see how they can do everybody trying to get to the NCAA championships which are in Charlottesville, Virginia for cross country. It's a busy time of year you know all that. Then we squeeze in, we start cross overseas, and we get some of these things going on and we squeeze in national signing day for everything except for football. We have seen obviously the additions for men's basketball, for women's basketball, track and field, volleyball. All teams are announcing additions this week. I always think it's an exciting time for coaches, it's an exciting time for student athletes because for a lot of these individuals now, some of these kids have been committed for a period of time to whatever institution they're going to go to. They decided on that a while ago and they've been committed so they felt good about it, but they're still stressed in the back of your mind. As a coach, there's a stress in the back of your mind as a student athlete of what needs to happen. What do you need to do to just make that thing official? Well, this was the week that we were able to do that and so a big day, national signing day on Wednesday. I know that kept a lot of our staff very busy with what they were doing. Trying to kick out some graphics, social media pulls, some articles, things like that. It's been a busy week and it just doesn't stop there. This is a huge week for the town of Vermillion. Huge week for USD as a community. We get the high school football championships that will go all day Thursday and Friday. The final championship game is set to wrap up on Saturday night and that's going to be a busy day in Vermillion. If you want an all day sporting event, you got tailgating in the morning on Saturday, kickoff at North Dakota at noon, volleyball at four o'clock they're going to honor the seniors following the match against NDSU. Then you have the final high school football championship on Saturday night. It's a busy stretch. Give the facilities folks a break when you're going to the dome in the Sanford Kyle Sports Center this week because this is an exceptionally taxing week for so many people. USD staff their tickets folks. They handle all the ticketing for the high school championships. A lot of USD staff is involved with running a lot of things and facilities and so it's a busy time. Just give them a little break this week. If things aren't working the way that you believe that they should be working, certainly give them that break. We look at the football season. Obviously, this is a big football match up for South Dakota against North Dakota and I talked about potential playoff situations last week. We'll do that again here today because every game is important. We know that in football you only get so many opportunities and you're trying to make it to the postseason. It feels like South Dakota is a lock to be in the postseason. They have two games left in the regular season. They get North Dakota at home on Saturday, then a road trip to Western Illinois. We know every game is important, but here's why this is super important for both USD and for North Dakota. Let's start with North Dakota. If the Fighting Hawks lose this game, they will have three losses in conference play. They still have a match up with Illinois State which I think has the potential to be a really good match up in the Alara Center next week. If they can get a win against South Dakota, it maybe relaxes them a little bit. It doesn't feel as pressing to get a win next week to get yourself into the playoffs where it'll almost be a must win next week for UND, if they do lose this game to South Dakota. Now, South Dakota should be just about locked into the playoffs. The final get match up with the regular season is Western Illinois. They have been exceptionally bad this year. I'm not saying that doesn't mean they can't step up and win a game. But at that point in the season, if they don't win at Indiana State this week, Western Illinois will have zero losses, they'll be owing 10 going into that final stretch and you look at their last few games before this weekend, they've given up 50, 63, 52, 48, 49, 37, 43, 34, 58. It has been a really tough go for Western Illinois this year. That will be their final game in the Missouri Valley Football Conference, through off to the Ohio Valley next year. They might throw out all the stops to try to knock off USD in that final game, but it feels like if South Dakota plays away, it's capable of that that should be a win in McComb. If South Dakota wins these final two games of the season, they will be a top eight seed in the playoffs because they're not going to keep a team from being a top eight seed that has nine wins and only one loss against the FCS and that FCS lost being the Number 1 ranked team in the country. Now, if South Dakota splits these two, I keep getting this question, what if South Dakota happens to lose the close one to North Dakota and then win at Western Illinois? Can they still get a seed? It's possible, but I think they need a lot of help. The reason I think they need a lot of help is it depends what North Dakota does next week. Because if the fighting Hawks were to win that game, they would have a better conference record or equal conference record, I should say with South Dakota and they would have the head to head match up. The other thought that you have to consider is Northern Iowa is hanging around. They play at Missouri State this week and then they get North Dakota State, who may be desperate at that point to wrap up the year. If Northern Iowa wins out here, they will have one loss in the conference. At that point, it feels like the conference at best would get two seated teams and it would be SDSU and Northern Iowa. I really think this is important. Now, I'm not saying USD can't get a seed without winning these final two because it's certainly possible, but I think they're going to need some help to make that happen. There's certainly no lock to be in that conversation. We'll see what happens. Obviously they're just focused on North Dakota and trying to figure out what happens here. But USD should be just about to lock into the playoffs. Here's what's great about a top eight seed. You all know this, if South Dakota is able to get a top eight seed then you're going to have Thanksgiving weekend off. You're going to have a home game on December 2nd. You can mark that down as just the way it'll be in the FCS playoffs. What's great? We've never had a home game in Round number 2. This would be a huge step in the right direction for the program. This is how you continue to build your program with recruits when you start showing them, look, we were a top eight seed this year. We had a home game in the second round of the FCS playoffs. Potentially a home game in the quarter finals, maybe it's a win in the quarter finals and onto the semis. We don't know how the season is going to play out, but a lot of things to go here and this is a big game, senior day for the Coyote football team and it's a huge game for South Dakota. When you look at how everything just matches up with USD, UND and the rest of the conference playoff or conference race I should say. This is a big week. South Dakota State plays at Youngstown State. Youngstown State needs probably a couple of wins for sure one here down the stretch to be in that playoff consideration. Right now going into this week, we have five teams in the Missouri Valley Football Conference that have two losses or less. There are three more teams with three losses. Illinois State could enter the conversation of the playoffs by the end of the year, Southern Illinois and NDSU play this week. That feels like an elimination game in Fargo. It might not necessarily be, but it feels like it could be an elimination game in Fargo. There are some big match ups here over the final two weeks of the season. It's an exciting time to be a fan of the Missouri Valley Football Conference. Coming up in the show, we will preview the North Dakota Fighting Hawks with Jack Michaels, the play by play voice of the North Dakota Fighting Hawks. But let's get it started with Mike Jewett. I had a chance to catch up with one of the newest assistant coaches Kyle Rechlicz in women's basketball, who spent almost a decade coaching the Jack Rabbits and has moved on. After a couple of years off, why did he take that time off? We get into all of that. He ends up at South Dakota and now he's coaching here at USD. We have that conversation with Mike Jewett. Great conversation that we had earlier this week. Mike, how are you? How did it feel to get back on the floor? I know at least in a game setting, like a regular season game setting, it's been a few years for you.

Mike Jewett: >> Yeah, I know it's been a couple of years, no doubt. But it was good. I really have enjoyed my time here. Kyle has been great to work with and also have Gabby and TI and our players have been really receptive and I'm not going to lie I think maybe not as much against Northern, but against Wayne State where now you've got the lights are on, the clocks on, and you've got real officials. I was probably a little more hyped up for that one than the Northern game because you're back at it. This is the real deal. >> You take pride in your coaching, you take pride in your teaching, and you want to then translate onto the floor and so getting yourself ready too but sometimes that means calming yourself down rather than hyping yourself up. Which happens with a lot of athletes as well but no doubt it's fun to be in the arena being supported rather than the previous times when I've been in the arena here and I've been rooted against, so that was always it was a better feeling, I should say.

John Thayer: >> Obviously people know that you spent a long time at South Dakota State and you'd stepped away from coaching for a couple of years. When did you know during that time that maybe you wanted to think about going back into coaching? You were AD I believe a Brooklyn High School. At some point, you just felt like you had that itch again?

Mike Jewett: >> I mean, I got out of coaching at S Tissue because I got tired of missing my own kids stuff with my oldest at playing at Aggie and then my son was going to be a senior. It gave me an opportunity to spend much more time with them and then chase, my youngest around, plays a ton of travel softball during the summer. I don't regret doing that cause you don't get those opportunities back. But it wasn't too far in when you realized that administration, you're off on an island and unless things go sour or people are unhappy, you have to be real purposeful, going out and trying to connect and build relationships with students and student athletes. That's the part that really brought me back, is that I missed those relationships, I believe it or not, I missed recruiting. I really enjoy recruiting, building relationships with families, selling your product, convincing student athletes and families why this is the best option for you. Then building that trust once they come and you're pushing them and challenging them beyond what they probably think they're capable of. But because you've established trust, then they're on board with it. Then the competitive side of me, you mentioned being back on game night. There's nothing like preparation, getting your team ready, but there's also nothing like in game adjustments where you've got to try and counter what somebody else, your opponent's doing, and all those things, it wasn't too long into an administrative role where I thought, you know what, if there's an opportunity that keeps me in the area and I can still get to my kids stuff that I would jump at it and this is the place.

John Thayer: >> What is it about the recruiting and getting to know these student athletes, even when they get to campus and trying to help them grow, not only as basketball players, but as individuals? What is it about that that you enjoy? Because you could tell that you really missed it for a while.

Mike Jewett: >> I think the longer I've done it, you might not realize that while you're building those relationships, the importance of them. But it's after they've graduated and then now you're getting a wedding invite, you're getting a birth announcement. Then you realize your impact, because they've thought highly enough of you to invite them to one of their most special occasions or to let you know, by the way, I had a baby or I'm expecting or whatever. Those are the things I think that if you go about it the right way and trust me, early in my career I was much more about X's and O's than I was relationships. But there was at some point in my early '30s, mid '30s, I'm like, you know what if this is going to be a career? I've got to start the relationship side of things first and then challenge them to be the best players they can be. Since then, I think I've become a better coach, I've become a better teacher. I know I've become a better mentor for young people. But at the same time I know based on that trust factor in those relationships that I can challenge kids and push kids. That package, I think is what it's all about when you have that complete package, like I said, then when they're long gone and they still text, they direct message you, or they stay in touch, then you realize the impact you've had.

John Thayer: >> What was it about this opportunity? Young head coach, a program that had gone obviously through some change we've been through the Sweet 16, but graduated some key players and obviously a younger coaching staff. What was it about this opportunity that made you say, you know what, maybe this is the next step?

Mike Jewett: >> I think there's a lot of factors. One being a South Dakota kid born and raised in South Dakota. I think high school basketball is special in South Dakota. But I think college basketball, not just Division 1 women's basketball, but you can look at whether you go to Division 2 NAI there's a lot of really special basketball programs and people support it. I might have been at SDSU for nearly a decade, but I know how passionate and supportive, the yoke fan base is. That was also part of it, the history and the success of the program, that's the resources are here to be successful. I think that's a big factor and then I knew Kayla knew her husband, Rick, probably a little bit better. He was assistant on the men's staff at Southwest Minnesota State when I was the head women's coach at Southwest Minnesota State. When I met with her and she said, this is what I'm looking for, politely telling me basically I need an old man with some experience. I thought, this is a good fit, I can do that and it has been I think that, she's open and has given me a voice and I appreciate that she's trusted me with a lot of responsibility. But I think it's also an opportunity to help her establish her own philosophy, and be supportive in that role too. All those factors, I think, led me to where I'm at and why I'm here.

John Thayer: >> You're an Aggie guy, you coached a SDSU, coached at USD. Did you intend on the full South Dakota tour here?

Mike Jewett: >> Those that are old enough to remember the old NCC are probably scratching their head. [LAUGHTER] Wait a minute, what in the world? It's funny, when I first started college coaching, I was Dave Krauss assistant. This would have been probably I was a student assistant in 92, and his first full time assistant in 96 or seven. At that time, Aggie only offered a Master's in Educational Leadership. While I was his assistant, I commuted down here and got my masters from USD and Athletic Administration, so I'm a graduate. Then I've known AJ. at SDSU for 25 years. When the opportunity came to work for him, it was a chance for me to learn from somebody who's obviously had a ton of success, but also have a pretty substantial role in an area that I was familiar with, so just the way it worked out and you and I have talked, I might be an Aggie guy, but I'm a South Dakotan and I want South Dakota kids and families to do well. Certainly when I was at Aggie, I wanted to beat the U and beat State. And when I was at State, I wanted to beat the U and now that I'm at the U, I want to beat state. But outside of that, I want our local kids to have success at whatever level, competing at the collegiate level. I just think it's good for the state and we've got to support one another and I'll do that no matter where I'm at.

John Thayer: >> This will be a different conversation when the time comes. But at some point, obviously you'll go against the South Dakota state and you'll be in Brookings wearing a different color and I'm sure it'll come with some different emotions, and a little bit strangeness probably for a little bit anyways, because of the time that you spent there. But how has the transition for you been putting on red clothes and the coyote gear and some of that and just, with obviously your passion and your time spent at SDSU?

Mike Jewett: >> There was two years where I was removed, so that helped a little bit. I'll tell you what, if I had had a dollar for every time somebody said, You look good in red, [LAUGHTER] or, I'm not used to seeing you in red, I could probably retire. Honestly it probably is more of a conversational piece for passionate fan base that each university has for me. It's about coaching the kids that are in the program and trying to provide them with the best experience helping our staff in any way possible. No matter where I'm at, that's going to be my goal and purpose moving forward.

John Thayer: >> It certainly doesn't hurt that Brooklyn High School was read as well, so you have that do a little bit.

Mike Jewett: >> I went from having very little red or, just a few bobcat items to now having a closet full of red but it's all good. Like I said, I'm happy to be here, I'm excited about the opportunity and appreciate the role and responsibility that Kayla has given me.

John Thayer: >> We'll learn more about this team as it continues here through the season and obviously you've seen them up close and personal this is a team that's changed a little bit with some transfers and obviously getting some bodies healthy certainly have helped from last year. What do you like about this year's team and the possibilities that exist with it?

Mike Jewett: >> I like their eagerness, their coach ability. I mean, there's a hunger there where they want to get better, they want to keep improving, they want to be challenged. >> I think we've got a variety of offensive weapons where maybe last year we might have been more one-dimensional. But some of our inside players have developed their game and then obviously getting a couple more perimeter kids that can knock down shots, can be primary ball handlers has given us more diversity there. But overall, I just like the fact that they're willing to learn, they're willing to play together, especially on the offense event. Then defensively we're just trying to get them to understand how all five have a role and responsibility and how all that works together.

John Thayer: >> Excited to see how the season plays out. Mike, thanks so much for the time. Really appreciated. Good luck this year.

Mike Jewett: >> Appreciate it. [inaudible 00:21:36]

John Thayer: >> He's Mike Jewett, an assistant basketball coach for the KO women's basketball program and head coach Kayla Karius, obviously, a coach who you could just tell he loves coaching the student-athletes, he loves connecting to people, and I love that he said he just wants to see South Dakota kids have success. We're excited to have him at USD and what he can help bring to the table for South Dakota Women's basketball. We'll continue to see Mike Jewett on the sidelines here throughout the course of the season. South Dakota back home this week to take on the North Dakota Fighting Hawks. An old rivalry renewed in a big way. This weekend both teams are fighting for playoff spot playoff positioning and both teams have their sights set on the postseason. We're joined now by the radio play-by-play voice of the North Dakota Fighting Hawks, Jack Michaels. Jack, great to chat with you as always. You've really been having a fun season for North Dakota.

Jack Michaels: >> My dear friend, John, great to be on with you to talk a little football, talk about this game. Yeah, it has been. The season at times it gets a little traction, took a step back, gets a little traction, took a little step back, and now is getting traction again. In a nutshell, that's been the season this year.

John Thayer: >> You look at this game and it's a big one for many reasons for North Dakota. But this could be the first time this season they win three consecutive games. Does that feel like it's important for this group as they try to build confidence going into the postseason?

Jack Michaels: >> Yeah, it really does. Because if anybody has followed, and now I guess what is this, my 12th year, I suppose, for North Dakota football play-by-play, the team has been extremely successful at the Lera Center. I think one of 24 the last 26 or 25 or 27. So we've been very good at home. The one thing that has eluded North Dakota has been consistently winning on the road. Take this year, for instance, traveled to Boise U State, FBS opponent, had a good start and then things got a little off rail and then lost. You go to Brookings. Then what happens to everybody when they go to Brookings? Apparently lost that one by 21. Again, that elusive, those road wins, and I used the word traction earlier, getting any kind of traction on the road over years has been somewhat difficult. Home been great, road has been a little difficult. I think coach Bubiswagers tried anything from going on the field on a Friday night to not trying to change a little bit of whatever it is. Last week they went on the road and finally got a road win. Murray State, John had the season that they probably won. They're getting baptized into the valley and we all know how tough the valley is. But North Dakota got a win on the road. So you're talking about winning three in a row. Granted, Indiana State gave him everything they could handle at home, went down to Murray State. It looked like it was going to be a blowout, but got to let Murray State back in, but got one on the road. [LAUGHTER] You talk about winning on the road and then winning on the road in Vermillion. That might even be another different level or chapter as far as UND. So the hurdle is high again for North Dakota.

John Thayer: >> What do you make of this team right now? They got that big win at home over North Dakota State. Did a lot of things in that game to get that win over the Bison that obviously the next week couldn't score at Northern Iowa. Of course, the social media are asking if UND put everything they had into that game against NDSU. They survived one against Indiana State, rallied very late to force overtime and get that one. Now what do you make of this team the last four weeks or so?

Jack Michaels: >> It would have been easy, John, because I was hearing the same thing and look at it. Bang over that big wind and it burst. I don't know, because two things. The win against North Dakota State and South Dakota can attest to win on the road at NDSU, which is just phenomenal. But it wasn't just the win over North Dakota State, it was the 49, 24 win. It wasn't even that close. It was how they beat North Dakota State. How they ran between the tackles, North Dakota. How they grounded Gavin Ziebarth for 156 yards and Luke Skokna returns a kickoff to start the game 100 yards plus for a touchdown, and various. It was how they beat them and you thought, wow. Is that the experienced offensive line blown up holes, was NDSU not ready, all that. Then you go the next week, as you mentioned, to Northern Iowa, and it's your homecoming and obviously all the pomp and circumstance in Cedar Falls. Cedar Falls wins the coin toss, takes the ball, which oftentimes you don't see. Wins the coin toss, takes the ball, what is UND? Stop them three and out. Here you go. Something like that. Similar to what happened in Boise State. Had a good start. Start going down the field, then fumble the football. It seemed like that right there against Northern Iowa put the card off rails a little bit and they just could never recover from that. So I don't know if it was a hangover from the big win or not because they certainly were in a position to make some noise. Tommy Schuster didn't have a great game, but the line didn't have a great game against Northern Iowa, and UNI is a good football team too. You walk back going, boy, you just [LAUGHTER] blew out one of the top teams in the country and I mean blew out. Then you go on the road and you hurt yourself, you don't play as well. Then from that, by the way, John, then you go home where you think you're just going to maybe smoke a team, but you don't because Indiana State plays really tough methodical football. Then you're in a dog fight with the Sycamores and you have to force overtime and field goals. You're like, okay. Then they go on the road to Murray State and that thing was 31-10, you're thinking, here's a blow. What happens? Murray State comes back and puts 31 on the board. You need 45 points to win it. Johnny, I'll tell you. I still have hair, but at times it gets a little less as we move along this week. It's been that kind of in season.

John Thayer: >> Tell me about the Fighting Hawks. This offense, obviously a lot of it starts with Tommy Schuster. He's now the record setting quarterback for touchdowns. I think it was in a career through. He's thrown nine touchdowns the last two games combined. So they've really leaned on him and I know that he loves Bo Belquist and some other guys. But it seems like everything they do offensively starts with Tommy Schuster.

Jack Michaels: >> It really does. I had mentioned, as you and I are old football guys too, that it starts up front obviously and every coach will tell you and that's very true on the line. You got to protect Tommy. You've got to put him in spots to succeed. But he really is a joy to be able to call games for and he's such a poised young man. Literally you could have three strikers and Morgana run past him during a game and he wouldn't blink an eye. This is the kind of poise that Tommy Schuster has. When he's good and on, he is really good and on. He's able to use his legs a little bit too even though Tommy is about making decisions and finding guys. You mentioned Bo Belquist. He has guys like that. A guy you're familiar with in Wesley Eliodor, now a Fighting Hawk. Wesley has found a way to really contribute to North Dakota. It's really fun to see him perform. He caught Ty's record breaking touchdown catch and run pass down in Murray State that put Tommy as UND's all time touchdown passing leader. That was a little pitch to Wesley and he rented some 47 yards in. But he's got the wide outs. I think, John, the one thing I'd say with the running backs and the backfield and getting yards, Gavin Ziebarth ran for 156 against North Dakota State, but he got dinged up. So he's been out a couple of weeks, had been in a boot. He's been back, I think, practicing this week. So hopefully he'll be available. Luke Skokna has been in that backfield. They use him on special teams, in slots in the backfield. He would limb a little bit, nothing major in that Murray State game. We'll see that. Then Isaiah Smith. Another guy that can break free in tremendous speed, good stiff arm. He runs for 150 yards against Murray State. So they've utilized a lot of different running backs that have been able to churn yards up. It's been fun to see those are just a few of the names. Then you're led by an offensive coordinator, Danny Freud, who is a mad scientist. What he comes up with every week, John. I don't know how it is for you, but I don't like to know plays. I just want to call a game and call what I see. I don't know what Danny Freud is going to dial up on Saturday. It's just fun to sit back and see what's going to happen with that offense.

John Thayer: >> How about defensively? Is that a concern right now for UND? They've given up obviously a handful of points in some of the games. But when you're outscoring them, it doesn't matter. But is that a concern for them?

Jack Michaels: >> I think if anybody sits back and ask the coaches too, that's got to be a concern. Yes, they put up 45 against Murray State, but gave up 31. Yes, they scored 36 against Indiana State, but gave up 33 and won it in overtime. So that's 64 points given up in the last two weeks. Not to mention the 27 that Northern Iowa scored the time before. I think tackling as simple as that sounds, got to get better at it. Then if they're going to make a run or get into the postseason or find a way to get big wins, they're going to have to shore that up pretty big. You like what you have at a corner. C. J. Siegel is really good at his position. Inside linebackers, Wyatt Pedigo is a really good inside linebacker. The rushers, when you look at it, because you're talking about a three, four, Jalen Johnson, Jeff Griffin, and Barty Agbu or whoever is in that. They've got to find a way to get to quarterbacks. North Dakota has been able to get the quarterbacks, but just not bring them down. Maybe that's just the way it is down in college football. Everybody's either rolling out and they're tough to bring down. You can get to them, but you can't bring them down. Defensively given up some points. UND has got the talent. Those backers are good. Ted Mullin is a veteran, outside linebacker. Josh Navratil is a senior that's played a lot of games. I mentioned Pedago is really good. C. J. Siegel, one of the top corners in FCS or certainly in the valley. I think they got the guys, John. Some miss tackles got to be a concern in the last couple of weeks and then that is going to have to be paramount in play against a team as good as South Dakota.

John Thayer: >> It is fascinating to me that North Dakota has attempted, what is it, four field goals this entire season. Really they haven't come until the last couple of weeks. That means they're scoring some touchdowns when they get down there or they're trying some trickery. I know they've tried fake field goal here or there, but man, that is fascinating. Four total field goal attempts.

Jack Michaels: >> You sound like what I just said a couple of weeks ago. I'm like, I turn around and what is it? Harry Doyle and [inaudible 00:32:52], that's all we got, is one run. I'm thinking, that's all we've attempted is two field [LAUGHTER] goals, but they don't do it. You know, Brady Stevens was kicking field goals and love Brady, good young man, but maybe confidence was dented a bit, and now a younger kicker, C.J. Elrichs has come in to kick, and you're right. Think about this, if you lose against Indiana State, if you're in North Dakota, would that have been the season? Maybe, depending on what happens obviously against the Yotes. That was a must not lose game, let's put it that way, against Indiana State. It comes down, they force a field goal to tie the game to force overtime in which they wanted, and you haven't made a field goal all season, and now you send the young leg in C.J. Elrichs out there and granted for 32. I don't know, is that a chip shot for kickers these days? I don't know. Having only attempted two, and he drills it, I'm thinking, and every collective breath, just sighed relief in the entire Northern end of the Red River Valley going okay. I think it's a case where if it comes down to a long field goal or going forward on fourth down and short, or fourth down and maybe even medium, U&D is just kind of defaulted back to going for it, John. Maybe now that Elrich has hit a couple, maybe they kick more. But yeah, they certainly have been a team that's going to go for things more than they are going to kick.

John Thayer: >> Well, having a big body like Quincy Vaughn to come in there and push across that whole line, that certainly lends yourself to fourth and short. We're going to try to push this thing.

Jack Michaels: >> It's not just the Eagles doing that tush push, you know if falls in there in Quincy Vaughn. I always thought, this guy's [inaudible 00:34:39] must be just bruised because Jay Norby, they bring the tight end behind him, and Norby must know this. I'm going to say even practice this, because if you see it, 43 is the tight end for those that are watching it at the dome. Then [inaudible 00:34:52] got that little step in there Vaughn. [LAUGHTER] John said, but if it's for the shot, there's no question what they're going to do. Vaughn is going to get it, he's going to push, and then Norby is going to push behind him and that's that's how you move chains.

John Thayer: >> Jack, how about this match up? Obviously, it's a big one for both teams as we close in on the season, but it goes deeper than that, in my opinion. They've heard so much about South Dakota State and North Dakota State, and they've certainly been tremendous, but when North Dakota and South Dakota finally caught up division 1 and eventually have gotten to the Missouri Valley Football Conference, I think this is what we hope for. This is the vision that we had with old rivalries being renewed and playing extremely meaningful games, and not just bragging rights games, but meaningful games at the end of the season.

Jack Michaels: >> I tell you, John, years ago, one of the most thrilling games I've ever called was the North Dakota South, Dakota game in the [inaudible 00:35:49] Center. I know they've had big ones down in South Dakota too that have gone overtime and just drag out stuff. You're right, for schools like South Dakota and North Dakota that have tried to advance and close the gap between the successes that North Dakota State and South Dakota State has had, you almost feel like there's that chip on your shoulder to close that gap. Obviously we're seeing USD do that, and then I'm seeing North Dakota that has always been there, but haven't been able to beat North Dakota State. Well, they erased that this year. I've been there, haven't been able to get to another round in the postseason like the other two schools we talked about. Yeah, I think these two schools, if there's a flag to stick in the ground to say, "Hey, we've got our territory too." That flag is full of red and white, with a Coyote head on 100 million, and a fighting hawk, Kelly Green and Wind and Grand Fork saying, "Hey, we're trying to stick our flag. We too are here for the party." You might want to say that with the success of South Dakota State and North Dakota State, where credit is due with the teams that they have been building, the depth that they're building, it forces the rest of the league to, you better rise up or you're going to just fade away. Well, obviously, South Dakota has risen up, and I think North Dakota has too.

John Thayer: >> With all of your creativity, how have you not developed a traveling trophy between South Dakota and North Dakota?

Jack Michaels: >> How does that not happen? Like I know in the ACME cartoons where the Coyote and the road runner, Coyote's saying, you could go down that route and just have a big anvil. I don't know if that would work. I don't know if there should be something between Vermillion and Grand, but John maybe a couple of fellows like us that are obviously highly educated could come up with something between the two schools.

John Thayer: >> We might be able to make it too. Let's see what we can do. We'll put our heads together. [LAUGHTER]

Jack Michaels: >> Maybe in interlocking SN, or maybe we just like Letterman, take the one letter out and we create some. We'll figure it. Find out, John, what is exactly the middle between Vermillion and Grand Forks. Whatever town that is, maybe we can do that. We'll do geography.

John Thayer: >> We'll see what we can do. Jack, always great to chat with you. Can't wait to see you on Saturday. Should be a fun match up in the dome on Saturday afternoon. Thanks so much.

Jack Michaels: >> Awesome brother. Good to be on with you, and yeah, it should be a fun game. Thanks, John.

John Thayer: >> That's Jack Michaels. He is the radio play by play voice of the North Dakota Fighting Hawks. Coyotes and Fighting Hawks set to play on Saturday. The old rivalry, these two teams have played a ton in the years, and then we had a little bit of separation, but now it's all back and feels normal again. Let's continue to build that rivalry. I'm telling you, I know it's been mentioned on the social medias, we've got to find a traveling trophy for North Dakota and South Dakota, because why not? Let's see what we can accomplish there. Let's take a look at what's going on in Coyote Athletics. Thursday night volleyball takes on Oral Roberts. It's at 06:00 o'clock start, and that available on the Summit League Network. Cross country heads to the NCAA Midwest Regional in Stillwater, Oklahoma. That is a Friday event and gets underway at 10:30 AM. The women's cross country team will run first, and then the men's race is set to follow. Women's basketball team is at number 22 Creighton on Friday. Note the early start time, it is 11:30 AM, that start time. That will be on the Coyote Sports Network with Jerry Palleschi. Friday night, hope you can join us from the Sanford Pentagon in Sioux Falls. Coyote Men's basketball team takes on UT Rio Grande Valley at 07:00 o'clock. We'll also have that game available on the Coyote Sports Network as well. Also coming up this week, we've mentioned it a number of times, it's top 15 match up between South Dakota and North Dakota. It's a kickoff at noon. We will be on the air on the Coyote Sports Network at 11:00 AM. Also that game available on Midcoast Sports as well. Check it out if you can't be there, but try to get there. Let's pack the dome for Senior Day for the Coyote Football Team. Big stretch for USD. Women's Triathlon is at the USA Triathlon Collegiate National Championship in Tempe, Arizona. That is set for Saturday afternoon. At 4:00 o'clock on Saturday, the Coyote Volleyball team will take on North Dakota State at 04:00 o'clock that day. It is senior day following. They will recognize the seniors following that match up. Then Coyote Volleyball back in action next Tuesday when they take on South Dakota State in Brookings. It's a 07:00 o'clock start time. It's going to be a busy day in Coyote Sports because the women's basketball team will play host to Northern Colorado. That is Tuesday evening at 07:00 o'clock in the Sanford Coyote Sports Center. The Coyote men are on the road. They're in Chicago to take on DePaul at 08:00 o'clock on Tuesday night as well. It'll be a busy, busy stretch next week. Then the Coyote Men's basketball team will head to Arizona. Coyote Women's basketball team will head to the Bahamas, and neither one of them will be concerned about us who are not in the warm weather climates. We're stuck back here dealing with whatever wind and weather that mother nature decides we deserve. But that's all coming up in Coyote athletics. Hope you can catch a game match or meet very soon for all of the scheduling information. For ticket information and so much more, visit Goyotz.com. That's it for me this week. Thanks to Mike Jewett. Thanks to Jack Michaels for joining the podcast this week. I'm John Thayer. Have a great weekend. As always, stay safe and go Yotes.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Speaker 1: >> On the Coyote Sports Network, from Learfield, welcome to the Coyote report brought to you by Bud Light. Easy to drink, easy to enjoy. Also brought to you in part by Make Old Lumber Company Grill and Bar, your pre and post game headquarters with great food and drinks, and all of your favorite sports on dozens of TVs. Be sure to check out their famous rooftop patio located at 15th Court Street downtown Vermillion CorTrust Bank. Raise your expectations. Remember FDIC. Pepsi Cola is the official soft drink of the University of South Dakota. Be sure to pick up some Pepsi Mountain Dew or story to cheer on the yotes. By Sanford Orthopedics and Sports Medicine, the official sports medicine team of Coyote Athletics. Here for all, here for good. Learn more at Sanfordhealth.org. Now welcome to the Coyote Report. Here's John Thayer.

John Thayer: >> Welcome to the coyote report. It is a Tuesday evening coyote report edition after the coyote men's and women's basketball teams opened up the season last night at the Sanford Coyote Sports Center, and so a Tuesday edition of the coyote report tonight. The coyote report is presented by Bud Light, a proud sponsor of South Dakota Coyote Athletics. Easy to drink, easy to enjoy. We'll kick out the Coyote report this week with head men's basketball coach, Eric Peterson, the coyote opened the season with victory last night over the Mount Marty Lancers, 85 to 53, and of course, if you were able to go to the game, watch the game or listen to the game, well, it was a whole new experience for this roster Coach Eric Peterson with us. Coach obviously there's a lot we're going to talk about here because it was a lot of changes on the roster for this team. The names are different, size, height wise is different. A lot of changes to this roster?

Eric Peterson: >> Yeah, good to be back here. Feels like just yesterday we were talking right at this table. Guys how did John do with the radio? Did he get all the names right? Did he get all the players right? Just give me a thumbs up [LAUGHTER]. He did good. A lot of new guys, you look at our roster, we have nine new players, we have two guys that red-shirted last year for us that are playing. We had one player that wanted to red shirt that played last year. You basically have Max Burchill, Paul Bruns, and then Felix Brostrom, guys that actually played on our floor before. We're very different new team. Obviously, we look a lot different. I think the goal is always to try to build your program so you have a chance to be good every year. If you can get guys back, and just develop them every single year, and guys aren't leaving constantly in, you're shuffling new guys in, that's how you truly have a chance to win every single year. Not saying like you got to win the conference championship, that's our goal, but if you can just hang around the top two or three, anything can happen in March? Yes, we have a lot of new guys, it's not the plan every year. The plan is to get these guys back we have one senior, and to keep building this thing and growing. Right now, said it last night, we're work in progress. I think we have a very good schedule early on to play some teams that will help us get better. Probably more focus this year, long-term just on how are we good in March. Last year, every game was so important where who are the guys that can get us there, and how do we get there? That's been the focus. Awesome non-conference schedule that I think will make us a lot better.

John Thayer: >> You look at this team, and obviously, last night some of the new guys really stood out. Obviously, Bostyn Holt gets the start, he played well last night. Burchill got the start on the inside, he was playing well. Then you get a freshman, Isaac Bruns, I mean, he looked apart, and a lot of, I think, our fans have been excited to see what Isaac was going to do at this level, knowing how good he was, not too far away Dakota Valley.

Eric Peterson: >> The part for me is coaching Bostyn. I coached him for four games at Utah, and he tore his ACL. This is a good story. Anytime somebody gets injured, what's their mentality when they come to practice? Are they just bummed? Are they just sitting there? Are they just icing their leg or knee or whatever? Bostyn can tell you this, this is true. I was always the guy, if I didn't think he was paying attention at practice or if I didn't think he was locked in, I'd walk up to be like, "What play is this?" He'd look at me like, "I don't know." "Well, Bostyn, do you plan on playing next year?" "Yeah, coach." "Well, why not learn all the plays, so when you come back, you can step right in." When he was in the portal, I was like, "Man, this could go one of two ways." He could be the guy that's always on me, but I cared about him, and I always believed in him. It was a good relationship. Obviously, I saw Bostyn playing junior college. He won a national title with Coffeeville, so I knew he was a winner, and I knew what he was capable of. At Utah, he was probably more of a big wing, like a 3, 4. If you watched him last night, he's a point guard. He's playing point guard for us, and playing off the ball a little bit. Anytime you can start at 6, 7 as you're starting point guard, that's a good thing. [BACKGROUND] Lahat, him and I have a unique relationship. I was a big coach at Utah, and some of you guys might have heard this story before, but when you take a different job, it was easier going from Utah state to Utah, because it was about an hour-and-a-half away, but still during the week, we would stay there. We wouldn't drive home back and forth during the week. I didn't have anything to do at night. I just work out our players. Every time I went to the gym, Lahat was there every time. I almost felt bad for him. He was in the portal. He jumped in the portal before we got hired. Finally, I just said, "Dude, do you want me to work you out? I'm here, you're here, let's get a workout in." Ever since that first workout, we just clicked together. He made a small mistake by going to Central Florida last year instead of South Dakota, but we got it corrected, and [LAUGHTER] we got him on the right path. Obviously, he'll look like a different player in our league with his size, his athleticism, his rim protection, needs to be an anchor for us defensively. But we have a unique relationship, and it goes back from one of those first nights I got hired, and just felt bad for him, honestly. I was bored and he was probably bored, and we were bored together. Now he's here [LAUGHTER], and I'm coaching him at about South Dakota. Really happy about Lahat. Last name, Thioune. It's th, but it's pronounced Thioune. Then Isaac is one of those guys, I think, everybody saw him play in high school, and everybody knows he's a winner. There's a lot of things that have changed. I talked to Isaac almost after every practice, because we've let him struggle through some things, and he'll just admit like, "Coach, this is way different." This drill is way more competitive than the drill we did in high school or whatever. It's slowly become a process for him where he's gotten better every single week, but the biggest thing with Isaac is, he has that like killer mentality. He doesn't care what we're doing or what game we're playing, he wants to win. I always tell our staff, he shoots the ball or he gets the ball, and like I'm going to score on you. That's the mentality that he has. A little bit, I don't want to compare anybody to Matt Mooney, because Matt was a tremendous player, play games in the NBA, but he's got that mentality in his head early on as a freshman, which is exciting.

John Thayer: Every game I guarantee you there will be a game within the game, when it comes to Isaac and Paul Bruns, because they are going to be competitive siblings trying to outdo each other. Last night, Isaac, five of eight from the field, Paul, five of eight from the three point in line. You can decide who was better, but those are good numbers [LAUGHTER]

Eric Peterson: I won't say that publicly, I'll never say that publicly. But it's funny. I grabbed my stuff out of the locker room, and I walked out and they both were right ahead of me, and they looked at me, and I was like, "Who had the better game?" Both of them raised their hand, "I did." [LAUGHTER] >> There's some sibling rivalry right there. But it's awesome because honestly, they guard each other at practice a lot. They're the same position right now, so it gets really competitive at practice. But they're brothers, honestly, they're trying to compete. They're trying to make each other better. Like how cool is that, to have your older brother. If Isaac's having a bad day, or if he messes something up at practice. Just to have your brother put his arm around you and say, this is what you need to do better. This is what you're not doing correctly. Isaac immediately just gets picked up. It's been cool to see that, and obviously I have high expectations for both those kids.

Speaker 2: You guys have been going through obviously a lot of practice leading up to the season opener. There's still some jelling, chemistry meshing maybe to do with this group as they get into game setting. How many games is the goal as you try to work through that and fine tune things a little bit?

Eric Peterson: I wish I knew.

Speaker 2: You got a number?

Eric Peterson: I wish I knew. I don't know. I think once you get through like five or six games, you should know a lot more about your team. That's why the next two weeks are really important. The way we played last night, we didn't play like that because we're playing Mount Marty or non Division 1. Honestly, I feel really good about who our top six or seven guys are, they've separated themselves over. Well, here's what's changed about college basketball. During the summer, we've only been able to work out in groups of four for the longest time. You can have team practices. I think probably about four or five years ago they said, hey, you get this many hours. You can do whatever you want with those hours, you can practice as a team. It's strange when the official first day of practice, you get these text messages like, hey, have a great practice. It's like, well, we've been at it since June 2, with full team practice. Now, they're just longer. To predict that, that's hard. But I feel like certain guys have separated themselves. But we're going to play a lot of guys, we're going to press a lot and just try to play faster. I think once you do that, after a certain amount of games, which we're trying to figure that out, the guys will rise to the top that should play. It'll separate itself even more.

Speaker 2: Counts will be back in action on Friday night. We'll talk about that match up, and what's ahead for Coyote Men's basketball when we come back to the Old Lumber Company Grill and Bar downtown Vermillion. This is the Coyote Report from Learfield.

Speaker 3: From the moment the first seed is in the ground, your days until harvest are numbered. Each day every decision leads to your bottom line. When it comes to harvest, rely on the only combine bill to deliver the numbers you deserve. The Claas Lexion gives you the quality, efficiency, reliability, and precision that make every minute count. Go ahead, let the numbers drive you. With the Lexion combine built by Claas.

Speaker 4: No matter your lifestyle, there's a Ford for you. Find exclusive offers on the perfect one at your Northland Ford Dealers. Like the Ford F 150 designed with new tech to help you work smart and hard. Or the Ford Explorer and Escape, SUVs the whole family can appreciate. Plus the Ford Bronco Sport, built for thrill seekers and outdoor enthusiasts. Customize your own vehicle by placing a retail order at your Northland Ford dealers today. Thank you for making Ford the best selling brand in South Dakota. Best selling brand in South Dakota based on 2021 CY sales.

Speaker 5: Which schools will take home the prestigious Learfield Directors Cup to the 2023 2024 college athletic season? You can follow the standings of your favorite school or alma mater at L Directors Cup on Twitter and online at Leardirectorscup.com. That's Leardirectorscup.com and L Directors Cup on Twitter. Trophies will be awarded in June 2024, to the winning institutions in all competitive divisions. Learfield Directors Cup, the crowning achievement in college athletics.

Speaker 6: The games you can't miss, the teams you don't stop rooting for, the plays you won't forget. It's all on Midco Sports. We're here to feed your sports obsession with the action, analysis and the stories you crave. Get ready to watch and stream your favorite teams and players from across the region on Midco Sports where there's no off season. Midcostsports.com.

Speaker 7: What would you do with more? More first and experiences. More space and memories. More impressions and travel. More handshakes and open doors. Or just more time. Cor Trust has the experts and tools you need to do less banking and more of what you love. CorTrust Bank, raise your expectations. Remember FDIC.

Speaker 8: Do you hear that? That's the sound of the guitar saying wow. Like wow, Delta Dental has the nation's largest network of dentists and wow, they cover you all across the US. No hidden costs. Budget friendly plans fit for everybody. A bunch of melods with Elfie Smiles. Delta Dental of South Dakota. Long lived Smile Power.

Speaker 9: Make Old Lumber Company Grill and Bar your pria post game headquarters with great food and drinks, arcade games and all of your favorite sports on multiple TVs. Also book the next banquet or company meeting in the new warehouse room for smaller groups or spacious second floor of the Old Lumber company for larger groups or weddings, located at 15 Court Street in downtown Vermillion. This is the Coyote Report presented by Bud Light. We're visiting with South Dakota head men's basketball coach, Eric Peterson on the Coyote Report. The Coyote men back in action on Friday. Before we get to all of that coach, tomorrow is a big day in college athletics outside of football because it is National signing day. I know we can't discuss names, but what can we expect tomorrow during the signing period?

Eric Peterson: Look forward tomorrow. A lot of people don't know it's signing day. This week's a dead week. Obviously we can't have any visits or anything like that, but we'll have three young men joining our program that fit us really well. All are excellent students. They're all a little bit different types of players. If you watched us last night you can see how our team is changing and obviously you want to recruit to how you're going to play. That's the best part about being a college coach. You get to pick the guys that are in your program. Man, I feel so bad for some of those high school coaches. They're just going to give in what they have. But yeah, it's a big day tomorrow. We only have one senior, so that's a little bit different. But again, we hope to keep some of these guys around. Then if you have one senior and you get everybody back, I feel like you can really grow and build your program into being a contender every year.

Speaker 2: One of the big decisions we saw here just a few weeks ago that really impacts potentially the University of South Dakota. Certainly our level, the NIT has changed and no longer allows an AQ from some of these conferences. Previously, if we had won the regular season title but not won the Summit League Tournament championship, it's an automatic qualifier into the NIT. That has changed. I felt like that was really disappointing with that decision.

Eric Peterson: I think what happened was they were going to start another tournament in Las Vegas with a lot of high major teams. I think maybe the NIT was a little scared that they were going to lose some of those teams in their tournament. Everyone is just going to go to Las Vegas because it's a neutral site deal. They were going to try to pump it up with some TV stuff. The NIT came back strong and said, hey, these are the changes we're going to make. It eliminates everybody from our type of leagues. You win your league, you don't make the NCA tournament, you're automatically in the NIT. >> Unfortunately and fortunately, we had the opportunity when I was here the first time. We won the league in '16, '17, got upset in the tournament, and then played in the NIT against Iowa, which was still a tremendous experience for our players. Awesome, awesome deal. The one ring I have in my office from South Dakota was when we won the conference and played in the NIT. With that, I think the biggest thing is it just puts so much more importance on making the NCA tournament. You can win the conference, but that doesn't mean you're going to play in any tournament. You could play in the CBI or the CIT. I think there's going to be more changes there, John, where maybe the CBI becomes more important, where it's better. It's an invite deal, or maybe a new tournament pops up, but definitely hurts our level. I've been at every level, and I understand how some of these calls work, and the calls work to favor the big boys. That's just how it goes. I've been on those zooms, I've been on those calls, and that's life for us right now. Obviously, no control over that, but it just puts more importance on having a chance to make that NCA tournament.

John Thayer: >> One of the disappointing parts of it is you're going to take away some of these teams. Obviously, your goal is to make the NCA tournament. But teams at our level still want to play in a tournament like that a little bit more than some of the teams who maybe did not qualify for the NCA tournament.

Eric Peterson: >> Yeah. One of the key things here is I think they went through the TV ratings even as well. The ratings are better with a team like South Dakota playing Iowa than an eighth place team from the Big Ten playing the eighth place team from the SEC. Nobody wants to see that. Everybody wants to see the underdog and have a chance to win that game. When I was here and we did play in the NIT, a team that we play twice this year we play Bakersfield. I believe they made the final four out in Madison Square Gardens and made that run, and it was like an exciting deal and everybody was like pretty locked into the NIT most years. I don't know if people are locked into it. I think it's just going to decrease even more with those type of teams that people just aren't interested in watching.

John Thayer: >> Well, we'll see how it plays out, and all you can do is, I guess, more reason to win the summer league tournament, go to the NCA tournament. [OVERLAPPING] Let's just do that.

Eric Peterson: >> That's always the goal.

John Thayer: >> Well, busy week coming up for the men's basketball team, obviously, playing in Sioux Falls against UT Rio Grande Valley, that is on Friday, and then you start this little road stretch, a trip to DePaul next week, and then on to Arizona for the rest of that MTE.

Eric Peterson: >> Yeah, our schedule is much nicer for our student athletes this year. Last year we're flying all over the place. Like Mississippi State, that's one of the hardest places to get to. I mean, it was an all day trip to get there, and then trying to get home. This year, we played DePaul on Tuesday, and it didn't make sense to come home budget-wise and then fly back out to Phoenix. We're going straight to Phoenix, which our guys are happy about. But if you look at our schedule, it's the only time that we missed class the entire year in the non-conference. We play out in California right before Christmas, but it's after finals. I don't know, for me, when your student athletes are feeling refreshed and not like just worn down from traveling, you obviously play better. It was really hard to gain momentum last year when you're just going from here to there to Coastal Carolina and back. It was a lot. I'm really happy about our schedule this year. In the next couple weeks, we have an awesome opportunity, obviously, to play in Chicago, and then in Phoenix. When I got hired, actually, in the interview, I was in Phoenix sitting in a hotel room and I asked where two areas that we need to be better at as far as our fan base and our alumni and our boosters. The two answers, Chicago and Phoenix. A tournament popped up in Chicago and Phoenix, and I'm excited because I know we have a lot of Coyote fans down there. I lived in North Dakota for nine years, and almost everybody up there in the oil has a place down in Phoenix. I think we're going to have a good crowd at our pre-game event or the night before, and then also, obviously, for our two games down there. Pretty exciting that way.

John Thayer: >> Since you brought up that Mississippi State trip, I just got to mention, I don't remember if we talked about it last year, but we were on a little plane with a lot of wind. We actually had to stop in, I believe, St. Louis to refuel the plane to get all the way back home.

Eric Peterson: >> What time did we get home, like 4:30 in the morning?

John Thayer: >> It was definitely in the morning at some point.

Eric Peterson: >> It was tough. Going down there, I think we connected through Atlanta, got into Jackson, drove two-and-a-half hours. I don't know what town is it in. Do you remember? Anybody know what town Mississippi State?

John Thayer: >> Starkville.

Eric Peterson: >> Starkville?

John Thayer: >> Vegas.

Eric Peterson: >> Oh, yeah. Bus there. Got in at like 11:15 P.M. Man, I didn't even play the game and I was exhausted from the travel, 9:40, but still I was pretty exhausted. But I think our schedule is just much better. It's set up better this year, and obviously, we just had more control over it, which I think is better for our student athletes.

John Thayer: >> Well, coach, back in action on Friday night. Coach, thanks for the time. Really appreciate it.

Eric Peterson: >> Thank you. [inaudible 00:20:51].

John Thayer: >> That's head coach Eric Peterson, joining us here on the Coyote report. Coming up next, let's talk women's basketball. Kayla Carey is here. We'll talk to her next. This is the Coyote report from Learfield.

Speaker 10: >> Orthopedic pain shouldn't disrupt every part of your life. You sit out when others head out. You find yourself saying not today when you really wish you could. If you've been avoiding the activities you used to love, make a change. The expert team at Sanford Orthopedics and Sports Medicine can guide you through a full scope of orthopedic care. We have surgical and non-surgical treatment options that manage your pain to get you back in action, because life is better with the freedom to move. Learn more at Sanfordhealth.org.

Blaine Olson: >> I'm Blaine Olson, owner of Blaine's Body Shop in Vermillion. I grew up here, graduated here, and now have a business here. I'm proud to be a hometown Vermillion boy. I am proud to support my hometown team, the Yotes. Should you need repairs in the future, please remember Blaine's Body Shop across from Polaris on the Highway 50 bypass in Vermillion. Now online at Blainesbodyshop.com.

Speaker 11: >> Flags Unlimited 2 in Wakonda, South Dakota, features several sizes of beautiful American state military at specialty flags and flagpoles. Flags Unlimited is proudly owned by a veteran who prides himself on his service to his country and his customer service. Let Mark and Laura Lin help you show your love of country with a beautiful new American flag. They have a mobile retail trailer and would

Speaker 12: love to show up at your festival or event.

Speaker 11: Call them at 605-202-0653 or follow them on Facebook at Flags Unlimited, and the number 2. Making the world a better place one flag pole at a time.

Speaker 13: >> Oh, shucks. The game's on TV but I can't listen to the call of my favorite team broadcasters. [NOISE]

Speaker 14: >> Never fear. Sync My Game is3 here.

Speaker 13: >> Sync My Game?

Speaker 14: >> Yes. Sync My game. If you have a DVR and streaming device, head to Syncmygame.com from Learfield. It's never been easier to hear the impassioned voices of your favorite radio crew synced with the TV.

Speaker 13: >> Wow. Thank you, mister.

Speaker 14: >> Just remember, Syncmygame.com.

Speaker 15: >> Bananas, they're only $0.39 a pound at Hy-Vee. That's not a sale price. That's the price with the Hy-Vee Perks membership, and $0.39 a pound is not just a price today or this week, it's the Perks price every day. With the Hy-Vee Perks membership, you can save on hundreds of products store Y every time you shop and count on Perks prices to stay the same. If you want to pay less for bananas every day, sign up for Hy-Vee Perks. It's free and easy. Some restrictions apply.

Speaker 16: >> Want to be the A in the A team, the big dog of the party, the 1% everyone says hit a home run? Then take your party up a level at OLC. Old Lumber Company's reception in banquet hall is just out of place. Upstairs in the historic OLC. From room to dance, to exposed beams, to ultra cool and private restrooms, it's awesome. Holiday parties, weddings, get-togethers, there's plenty of room for dancing in a band. Old Lumber Company in Vermillion has just raised the bar for where a great event should be. Take it up a level at Old Lumber Company.

Speaker 17: Here report is presented by Bud Light from fans of South Dakota Coyote Athletics easy to drink, easy to enjoy. Also brought to you by to CorTrust Bank, raise your expectations, member FDIC. Great to have you alongside tonight for the Coyote Report. On a Tuesday night edition of the Coyote Report, we're joined out by the head women's basketball coach at South Dakota, Kayla Karius. The Coyotes opened the season last night, the regular season, with a win over Northern State 85 to 57. Coach a team that I was talking to coach Peterson with team that fans are getting familiar with some of the new names on this group and some of those players really showed out the last couple of games.

Kayla Karius: They did, it was really fun to be back on our home floor and to get everybody in the game was especially fun and to get out of there with no injuries. I think we're always just going to say that every game this year, we're just really blessed to have good health and be where we're at right now. It was fun. There are some new faces that I think fans are going to love to watch. They're still getting more comfortable and more familiar with our system and with the rest of the team. But it is fun. I think Kendall Holmes had a great night last night. She's our transfer from DePaul. What a great fit as a player. Just the scores mentality can handle the ball really just brings a lot of experience behind her having played three years in the Big East. Then Tori DePerry is one who I think is turning some heads and making people excited, especially after the exhibition game. She just gives us a lot of power and intensity inside being that four spot, being a great rebounder, somebody that fans can look forward to. A couple of freshmen been out there too, making some noise early on. Olivia Keiffer and Addison Klosterbuer are really two that we feel are going to make an impact early in their careers, and they give us a little bit more depth at the guard spot, which is fun to have.

Speaker 17: Looks like a step forward a little bit for Walker Demers. We talked about her so much last year about getting forced into a bigger role in a way and she should still be in high school, but she's really grown, hasn't she?

Kayla Karius: >> She really has. There were a couple plays that were made last night, actually, when I watched them on film again. I thought, gosh, she wasn't doing that last year. It's just fun to see them take that next step and really grow. I think more than anything, just her comfort level out there just looks so different. She's a lot more confident. The pace of the game, she's matching that now rather than everything moving too fast around her. She's keeping up with that pace. It's really fun to have her back and to see that growth, not to mention Natalie Mazurek. She's back playing after a year and a half of being out. Just the combination of those two, it's just fun to have that depth, like I said.

Speaker 17: Obviously you have Grace Larkins, who everybody knows Grace. She continued to be herself last night. You can tell just how different this team is from a year ago.

Kayla Karius: Definitely. Like you said, last year there was so much focus on grace. I think she deserves a lot of that focus and attention. But I think now what you're seeing is more pieces around her, more scoring threats on the floor, people that you've got to respect. That's just a difference for her. She can be a little bit more of a distributor. She maybe has a little bit more space because people have to honor everybody else. At the same time, she's doing what Grace Larkins does, which is a little bit of everything. Along with that, I think most people don't see this side of her, but we get to is she's such a good teammate. She really wants all of her teammates to be so good and she wants to make everybody else around her better. That's just what elevates her to the whole another level. When she's on the floor, good things happen.

Speaker 17: No doubt about it. Well, we watched this team and you have an exhibition game this year. How important was that? Do you think for this particular group to have that real game setting with fans, with officials, and all of that before tipping off the regular season?

Kayla Karius: Very. I really like that opportunity to get out there on the floor and to wear your jersey and to have the game lights on. Anybody that came to that game or saw it, could probably see in the first half, we were a little bit tight and a little bit nervous and players admitted to us later that they were just a little uncertain going in. It's just a new situation, especially when you're talking about adding a couple of transfers and freshman who you expect to make a difference. It's nice to just give them a dry run out there and have them run things and understand what it's like to play in that arena with such a great support system. We didn't shoot it well in the first half. We finished out, in the exhibition game. Just going into that first real game last night, just how many people were like, we've done this before and they can take a deep breath and you'd be amazed at how much of a difference that makes. I do love that opportunity for that exhibition game. I think it's really important.

Speaker 17: You call it a dress rehearsal because even running out of the tunnel and going through the line ups, it's all just a different elements to the game that you have to settle down your emotions a little bit.

Kayla Karius: It is. And they're trying to figure out what they're going to do in the handshake line when their starting lineup is announced and all the little details. Say with our coaching staff. We've added a couple new coaches. For our staff to get that chemistry going, I think it's important to go through the whole game process and what things do we need? There's a lot of little details that go into it for all of us. It was very beneficial.

Speaker 17: Tomorrow I talked to coach Peterson about this. But it is National Signing Day. Is it a exciting day for [OVERLAPPING] women's basketball?

Kayla Karius: I can't answer specifics. [LAUGHTER] You know that until tomorrow morning we are very excited. We are adding a couple of players that I think will bring us great size and a great skill set. Really, players that are ideal for our system, that we really look for and we're excited to make it officially official tomorrow. It's different on the women's basketball side because we recruit girls when they're so young. Sometimes you're recruiting these players for literally years before you can actually talk about them publicly. We finally get to do that tomorrow. Once they sign their letters, it's a big day for them and for their families. We're excited to welcome them here.

Speaker 17: Excited for another game coming up on Friday. Your team, big challenge in Omaha. You'll take on 22nd ranked Creighton. They beat North Dakota State last night in the Sanford Pentagon. What do you see out of the Creighton Blue Jays?

Kayla Karius: That's a really talented basketball team. In fact, looking at our schedule overall is probably the most talented team, or the toughest team on our schedule at this point. They're ranked 22nd in the country. After watching what they did last night, it's very deserving. I remember their offense being very efficient and they move with a lot of pace and they aren't very big, but they put basically five big guards out on the floor. Then they're all physical, they can all shoot it, they can all space the floor. It's a tough match up for people, especially with the pace that they move at. But now I think their defense has gotten tremendously better too. They're a lot more aggressive. They forced like 26 turnovers last night, NDSU couldn't really get much going on the offensive end. It'll be a huge challenge for us, especially to go to their place and play. But what's fun about it is so early on you can get that measuring stick of where are we really at. An exhibition game in the first game we're fantastic to do against Division 2 opponents, might look a little bit different and so now we've got to put the ones out there who are ready to go and compete and see really where we're at, especially before we go and play this big tournament here in two weeks in the Bahamas. Less than that, even to figure out what we need to clean up before that. What a great challenge for us, but I do think it's a really talented team. They also return four of their top five leading scores from last year. That corps of four seniors who also have another COVID year if they want, it took them to the Elite eight as sophomores and have continued to build. They were an NCA tournament team last year, lost in the first round, but they have experience behind them, and it really shows.

Speaker 17: It's 11:30 AM tip off. Is it one of those elementary school invite games or what is going on?

Kayla Karius: >> It is a kids day. Yeah. When we had talked about it, we weren't sure how that was going to fall, but it would just worked out that they wanted to do an earlier game day and we were all for it. I'm all for the earlier, the better. That's perfect. Let's get up, let's get rolling. Otherwise, as coaches, you just do so much prep work ahead of time. When it gets to game day, you're like just sitting there going when is this game going to start? Its hard for coaches to sit around and wait. Earlier the better come have brunch down in Omaha and come join us, then you can get back for the men's game.

Speaker 17: You should key in. The last time I was a part of one of those type of games was in Boston when the women played North Eastern.

Kayla Karius: Yes.

Speaker 17: There were screaming kids. I don't know if they knew who they were screaming for, [OVERLAPPING] what they were screaming about, but they were screaming because they got a box lunch and they were happy.

Kayla Karius: I would be too, feed the cookie in there.

Speaker 17: They're happy. Definitely.

Kayla Karius: I would be too. [OVERLAPPING] No, it's a different environment and we'll talk about it as we prepare our team. I've heard teams prepare by pumping in a ton of crowd noise during practice. Because they don't really stop screaming is your point too. They don't cheer at the correct time. They just cheer, always. [LAUGHTER] You just have to be really efficient communicating and looking over at the bench and those things will be important because it's a different environment.

Speaker 17: It is fun for them, fun for their teams as well. We'll see how it goes on Friday. Good luck Friday.

Kayla Karius: Thank you.

Speaker 17: We'll don't keep talking about basketball throughout the season. Coach, thanks for the time.

Kayla Karius: Sounds great. Thanks for having me. [OVERLAPPING] That's great day of Coyotes.

Speaker 17: >> Joining us here tonight on the Coyote Report. Coming up next. Let's talk about volleyball, Michael Runde on the way. This is the Coyote Report from Barfield.

Speaker 18: Today we have two very special guests on our program introducing lemon and lime.

Speaker 19: Hello.

Speaker 18: For new starry lemon lime soda.

Speaker 19: Thanks for having us.

Speaker 18: What is starry lemon lime soda?

Speaker 19: It's a crisp, clear burst of lemon lime flavor and it's caffeine free.

Speaker 18: Between us one of you must be a little more important to story than the other. Who is it?

Speaker 19: We're both important.

Speaker 18: So we could just as easily be starry lime lemon soda.

Speaker 19: No, that doesn't sound right. I like it. You're saying hip hop could be hop. Works for me.

Speaker 18: New starry lemon lime soda, starry tips different.

Speaker 20: You probably know that a natural gas leak smells like rotten eggs. But what does a gas leak look or sound like? If you hear a wishing or hissing sound, see dirt, dust, or water spraying from an area, or you get dizzy or queasy, leave the area immediately, then call 1-800-595-5325-2069 safely away, see midamericanenergy.com for more safety tips.

Speaker 21: Paid for by the customers of MidAmerican Energy.

Speaker 22: The silly moments, the proud moments, even the hard moments there won't make life remarkable, and there why well marked Blue Cross and Blue Shield is here for every moment. Commetaking healthcare better, more affordable, with more choices for care and surface and coverage that give you peace of mind no matter what comes your way, so you can show up for every tender moment, every brave moment and every wouldn't miss it for the world moment. Knowing that blue is here for you, go to walmart.com/every moment to find a plan right for you.

Speaker 23: From the moment the first seed is in the ground your days until harvest are numbered. Each day every decision leads to your bottom line. When it comes to harvest, rely on the only combine bill to deliver the numbers you deserve. The Clalexon gives you the quality, efficiency, reliability, and precision that make every minute count. Go ahead let the numbers drive you with Alexion Combat built by quarts.

Speaker 24: >> Good morning grandma, grandpa, Heather.

Speaker 25: >> Homes are great for bringing families together.

Speaker 24: >> Cousin Lily.

Speaker 25: >> They can also be a great source of equity.

Speaker 24: >> Uncle Sid.

Speaker 25: >> Equity you could use for a home improvement project.

Speaker 24: >> Brian, you still in there?

Brian: >> Five minutes.

Speaker 25: >> Time to add a second bathroom. For whatever you need in life, a home equity line of credit from First Interstate Bank can help bring it all home. Learn more at firstinterstate.com/heloc. First Interstate built for you. Member FDIC, equal housing lender.

Speaker 26: >> The South Dakota Beef Industry Council is proud to sponsor the USD Coyotes this season as they work alongside their partners at Beef Logic Inc to deliver the build your base sports nutrition program to athletes. Are you looking for a simple easy to follow program that can help you and your family optimize performance both on and off the field of play? Check out buildyourbase.org and learn why beef continues to be the premier protein for athletic performance and recovery.

Speaker 27: >> Report is presented by Bud Light, a proud sponsor of South Dakota Coyote Athletics. Easy to drink, easy to enjoy. We're at Field Lumber Company Grill bar downtown Vermillion. It is your pre and post game headquarters. Great food drinks and arcade games. All of your favorite sports on multiple TVs. Let's talk Coyote Volleyball with Associate Head Coach Michael Runde Coyote volleyball team, coming off of a nice couple of games, a couple of sweeps the last time out. Now get ready for the final three game stretch of the regular season. These games, I know they're all important, but it feels like it's getting more and more important as we go on.

Michael Runde: >> For sure as we head down the stretch I feel like every match has postseason seeding implications. There's a lot to be decided yet at this point in time but we just continue to talk to our team about taking it day by day and controlling what we can in that moment and the rest will get settled as we go.

Speaker 27: >> How crazy are the summer league standings right now? Usually by now a team or two has separated themselves a little bit and it is a jumbled mess right now.

Michael Runde: >> Yeah, I think as a coaching staff I think, and even talking with some people around the league, I think we thought that's what this year was going to look like. But I think you still assume a couple people are going to separate and it just hasn't happened. You've just seen people winning at home, people winning on the road. There hasn't been a significant rhyme or reason to anything. For us, even early on through a couple losses, we just continue to talk to our team about just keep getting better and better and better because everyone's going to be very equal and we get that luxury of hosting the conference tournament.

Speaker 27: >> This team starts with a couple of losses in conference play and there was a little bit of panic in the fan base a little bit. You guys are saying, we're going to be all right. What has continued to progress for this team that has allowed it to go on? What has really been a good stretch in league play?

Michael Runde: >> Yeah, we talked about it and we started one in five and four of those five losses were to top 50 schools. Since then, I think we're 14 and four. Obviously a really good stretch through that. The thing that we've talked about a lot both as a coaching staff and with our team, is just we found ways to win that are very different. Sometimes we'll hit upwards of 300 and other times we'll hit one turn and just really limit what the other team is doing offensively. Just trying to be resilient, trying to get a little better each day in a lot of different areas is what's been critical. Then honestly just competing, like knowing that these matches are going to be a grind and trying to front load them of just, hey, we might lose a set, we might lose two, we might start down 2, 0, but just continuing to find a way to win is what this team has been able to do.

Speaker 27: >> We got pretty good at those reverse sweeps there for a while.

Michael Runde: >> We did, yeah, that was quite the crazy week with two of our biggest rivals. We'll take them anyway we can get them.

Speaker 27: >> No doubt, and they were exciting, obviously being right here as well. Exciting wins. You look at this team and I think one of the exciting things really about this team, they've got some veterans who obviously have some experience and have grown their leadership role and some young players who have had to grow up very quickly in this season.

Michael Runde: >> For sure. We knew our middles would be a strength. We have 11 years of college experience between the two of them. Definitely one of the oldest payers, I just learned U&D's middles, but outside of that Brandon Harms have provided a lot of stability and experience. Throughout the season we've had different people in different positions. A lot of freshmen have played and it's one of the things that we talked to the team about as well. Just like we don't have to figure out one line up and go try to win with that the rest of the year. Through the success of our conference season, we've had a lot of different people step up in different roles, whether it's a different Ds or a different attacker, or a different serving sub and just trying to have everybody ready so when they're time is called that they're ready to go.

Speaker 27: >> I noticed Leon does this too, and I just got to point it out. You say Brandon Harms. You use first name for some players, last name for other players.

Michael Runde: >> It started in the recruiting process really, because I have never looked at Harms and thought her name was Maddy or Madison. When you talk to her parents or her siblings and they call her Maddy, I'm like not Maddy Johnson. You're talking about your sister. Junkie's always been Junkie. I think whatever is the shorter one we tend to go with.

Speaker 27: >> Big week this week at home or Roberts is Thursday night at 6 o'clock start time. Then it is Senior Day on Saturday. That's a 4 o'clock start time. We'll follow the football game before the final state championship football game. It's squeezed in there, but obviously a big week at home for your group.

Michael Runde: >> For sure, we're definitely excited to be at home for the entire week. It's been a while since we've had that. The team was off today, NCA mandated civic engagement, a really good time to have an extra day off, and so I'm sure the team appreciated that. Then two really big matches coming up, Oral Roberts, a quirk in the schedule that I feel like we just played them. When Abby and I were talking today, she's like, it feels like we haven't played NDSU in a really long time because it has been, I think that was, might have been end of September, early October. Both will present different challenges. NDSU is one that's playing really well right now, and I think on a six-game win streak with a lot of wins against the top teams in the league, and so definitely excited to have them at home.

Speaker 27: >> I'll remind you not to say names, but are we excited about signing day tomorrow?

Michael Runde: >> We are very excited. Similar to women's basketball, we recruit pretty early. These kids have probably been verbally committed for probably like 15, 16 months. It's a really talented class athletically. It's one that we were very excited about when we got them. We are still very excited about them today. A lot of winning in their careers. Kids that are really excited to come to USD and be Coyotes and so not only are we getting great athletes but great people as well.

Speaker 27: >> We're excited for it. Signing day will be tomorrow for all sports except for football. Stick around, coach Runde's on the hot seat for as the coach. When we come back to the Old Lumber Company Grill and Bar, this is the Coyote Report from Learfield. [APPLAUSE]

Speaker 28: >> Mouthwatering salsa, warm crisp chips, a big cold margarita with the authentic Mexican restaurant atmosphere. No, you're not in Mexico, you're at Mexico Viejo, making you feel like you're in Mexico with their delicious authentic Mexican food, great drinks and professional staff to serve you. Wondering what to do tonight? Head to Mexico Viejo for your favorite Mexican meal. Don't forget that margarita or cold Mexican beer to complement your meal. All this at Mexico Viejo.

Speaker 29: >> Get 11% off everything at Bannar. Make sure you and your family are breathing in safe clean air. With best air, air filters, these air filters capture airborne allergens like dust, pollen, pet dander and mold spores, ensuring the best overall performance of your home's air conditioning system. Right now, four-inch best air pleated air filters our own link 1499 after 11 percent rebate, good through June 25, savings are mail and rebate. Some exclusions apply, see store for details.

Speaker 30: >> Burg Automate Trucking in Beersford will work on all vehicles? Yes, they work on semis and big trucks, but they also work on all vehicles from oil changes to overhauls, windshields, and bodywork. They do more than what their name says. Maybe we should call it Burg Automate Trucking and Auto Repair. Well, no need because now you know. Bring your vehicle to Burg Automate Trucking, Beersford for any vehicle repair. Small enough to know you, big enough to serve you.

Speaker 31: >> Now here's a meeting place that is open seven days a week so you can come in and enjoy one of 16 delicious and different burgers. It's the bro burger bar and it's open every day at 11:00 A.M. at 3 or 4 West Third Street in Yankton. Stop in for lunch or supper, enjoy the featured burger or one of the mini burgers on the menu. Looking for a place to have a cold one and catch your favorite sporting event and check out the many different tap ears. The bro burger bar, a modern spin on a classic burger joint.

Speaker 32: >> Let me ask you something, what do you see when you look at your home and your car? Do you see a bundle, a combo deal, that's how other insurance companies see them but a State Farm agent sees so much more. Because a State Farm agent sees your home and your car as more than just four walls and four wheels. Things you've really worked hard for. Why not give them the protection they deserve? Call your State Farm agent, Dick Sunday and Vermillion 605-624-3392.

Speaker 33: >> Did you know you can schedule your appointments online at Yankton Medical Clinic? That's right. Visit the self-scheduling page at yanktonmedicalclinic.com and schedule an appointment with several of the physicians, including family medicine, internal medicine and pediatrics or schedule convenient care when it's convenient for you. You can schedule an office visit, well checker medication check, telehealth, sports physicals and more. With online self-scheduling, Yankton medical clinic really does provide so much care, so close to home.

Speaker 34: >> Time now for the old Buber Company, ask the coach segment of our show, guests in attendance. We're given a chance to submit questions for Michael Runde. Of those questions asked on air, someone will win a gift card to the old Buber Company Grill and bar. I have no idea how we're getting through all these questions, we don't have that time, but we're going to give it a shot.

Speaker 35: >> Perfect.

Speaker 34: >> Are you ready?

Speaker 35: >> Yeah.

Speaker 34: >> How do you decide who to rotate through each set and match?

Speaker 35: >> When we start off a match, we know our rotation of who might go in the back row or the front row or the barrows where people are going to start on the court. The players know that, we know that and if we make changes, usually it's just a flow thing or a match-up. Most of them are predetermined, but there are some times where you see someone else come in to try to make an impact.

Speaker 34: >> How do you decide which set or to start?

Speaker 35: >> That is a tough one because we have a lot of talent in that position this year. Both all three of them have very different strengths and so it's just trying to leverage what their strengths are, how the team is and our opponent.

Speaker 34: >> Is everyone still competing for starting jobs or is that pretty much set at this point.

Speaker 35: >> We've talked with the team and I think for the most part things are pretty set about maybe who is going to start, but we are continuing to talk with people about just being ready and whether it's an injury or whether it's a flow of the game or a match up. Just trying to make sure everyone is still ready to come in and make an impact.

Speaker 34: >> Talk about the advantages of hosting the summer league tournament.

Speaker 35: >> It's huge. From a travel standpoint, we obviously don't have any. Normally, if when we play whatever our day one is, usually we're leaving two days before that. Two more days in a hotel, practicing at someone else's gym. Just the benefits of being home are really big.

Speaker 34: >> How has recent success help open the doors with recruiting?

Speaker 35: >> I think for one, like we recruit very regionally. There's a lot of really good talent in South Dakota, Iowa, Nebraska and Minnesota, a little bit into Kansas City is very good volleyball and we try to go there as well. I think people know who our name is and it doesn't guarantee that they come here but I think with the success that we've had, and they know people that they played with or against in club and high school that have come here and had success and they see that and I think it interests them.

Speaker 34: >> Who would win in a one-set match, the team or the staff?

Speaker 35: >> Gosh, five years ago, maybe the staff [LAUGHTER] but I'm getting older, Abby gets injured easily, [LAUGHTER] Lean is very competitive, Noah's really good. Noah would give us a chance but the team.

Speaker 34: >> What are the rules that challenges? How many per set, per match and if you win, do you keep them?

Speaker 35: >> Yeah. We start off with two, and if we win them, we keep them and then if you go to a fifth set, you get an additional one, but no more than two. If you have one going into that fifth set, you go back up to two.

Speaker 34: >> Who is the best in the practice game tennis and why is it you?

Speaker 35: >> It is well documented that it's me. The team has nothing to do with volleyball, it's literally hitting the ball over one time. There's two people on the court. Whatever team I'm on, the other team does not hit the ball to me so I just stand there the entire time because they know I will find a way to win.

Speaker 34: >> What is your favorite dinosaur and why is it Brachiosaurus? [BACKGROUND]

Speaker 35: >> I know absolutely nothing about dinosaurs.

Speaker 34: >> I hope I said that right because I don't know either, I don't have dinosaurs knowledge. I watched Jurassic Park.

Speaker 35: >> It's a cool name, I'll go with that.

Speaker 34: >> Explain the rules, when the ball comes down right at the net and both sides go up and touch it at the same time.

Speaker 35: >> It depends if both people are in the front row, if the balls in the plane of the net, if any part of the ball is in the plane, both people can go get it. If the ball is on one side or the other, then that team has the ability to go get the ball first. But on the third context, you can break the plane of the net to try to go get the ball.

Speaker 34: >> How much of your time do you spend on recruiting?

Speaker 35: >> I would say, we're very seasonal base just because we can only go one class at a time and so our summer is all hands on deck recruiting and then like in the 24 class, we've been done for a while. In the 25 class, we actually have three student-athletes committed and so it slows down a little bit, but you have pockets where, that it's a little more time-consuming. Portal season, June 15th is our big recruiting period so more pockets here and there.

Speaker 34: >> Have you recruited a players 6 foot 4 inches or taller?

Speaker 35: >> Not that.

Michael Runde: >> No one that has come to USD but I'm sure at some point we've probably reached out to some tall ones.

Speaker 36: >> Who's the best practice player, and why is it you?

Michael Runde: >> It's not me anymore. [LAUGHTER].

Speaker 36: Anymore [LAUGHTER].

Michael Runde: It used to be. Noah is very skilled and can do a lot of different things. Do we have a freshman from the area that's been very inundated with our team? Our players love him. Jake is his name, so he's been a big addition as well. But there are some days when I have to set that, I'm like, man, I still have it, and other days where I'm like, get me out of here.

Speaker 36: >> Do the refs have to go through any training? How are the referees assigned to games?

Michael Runde: >> We have an assigner that works with most, if not all, of Division 1 and so she'll assign those and they have a lot of training. They move up in the college ranked based off of leagues. I know a lot of our line judges are like the up-rough and down-rough at GPAC matches in the area, and so I think it's just as they continue to grow, they can move up to leagues.

Speaker 36: >> What do you think of your first time being miked-up with Mike?

Michael Runde: >> There's been a lot of requests internally about me doing a miked-up session and practice. I don't have any desire to do that, nor do I have any desire to watch it. [LAUGHTER] I like this setting where I can hear myself but not really.

Speaker 36: >> Is there a player the team looks to for leadership in clutch moments?

Michael Runde: >> I think off the top like Harms. She's been one that's been extremely productive this year and can definitely make a play. We've talked with our team a lot too, especially this last week I feel our backcourt defense really sparked us. I know it's normally the big kill that you see that ends the play. But I feel we had a lot of momentum switches in both the UND match and the St. Thomas match because of what our back row was doing. Definitely a team effort.

Speaker 36: >> If you weren't a coach, what would your career be?

Michael Runde: >> The odd duck of the family. My mom's a nurse and my two sisters are nurses. My dad's an accountant, my brother's an accountant, and I'm the volleyball coach. [LAUGHTER] That's a great question. [LAUGHTER] I think something in the business world maybe, but I've been set on this since I was 18. My family thought I was crazy for a little bit there and they're like, we didn't know if it'd work out. I'm like, well, I thought it did.

Speaker 36: >> There was no Plan B?

Michael Runde: >> Yeah, there was no Plan B.

Speaker 36: >> Awesome stuff. Michael, Thanks so much for the time. Really appreciate it. Good stuff tonight.

Michael Runde: >> Thank you. Thanks for having me.

Speaker 36: >> Michael Runde, joining us here on the report that is ask the coach brought you by the old lumber company or wrap things up. Coming up next. This is the cow report from Learfield.

Speaker 37: >> [APPLAUSE] Even if it's been since you graduated your college team is your team for life. Well, you can have a farm bureau agent for life and auto and home and business insurance. Imagine that one insurance agent for everything. It's that simple, so get a farm bureau agent for life.

Speaker 38: >> In Yankton called Dan Kohlberg at 605-689-3011. In Vermillion called John Cole at 0605 6243011.

Speaker 39: >> Farm Bureau Life Insurance Company, Farm Bureau Property and Casualty Insurance Company.

Speaker 40: >> Ross and Wings High School Beer, and Fancy just on the floor, so where we going? All over company.

Speaker 41: >> Old Lumber Company as a full bar. 2010s of ice-cold beer and food that's going to you're face off.

Speaker 42: They, who's ready for football? Your set to have a years any time. At Old Lumber Company, so you friends see all the games at Old Lumber Company Vermillion. >> Bananas are only 39 cents a pound at Hy-Vee. That's not a sale price. That's the price with the Hy-Vee Perks membership. Thirty nine cents a pound is not just the price today or this week, it's the Perks price every day. With the Hy-Vee Perks membership, you can save on hundreds of products store-wide every time you shop and count on Perks prices to stay the same. If you want to pay less for bananas every day, sign up for Hy-Vee perks, it's free and easy. Some restrictions apply.

Speaker 43: >> Flags Unlimited too and Wakanda South Dakota, features several sizes of beautiful American state military at specialty flags and flagpoles. Flags Unlimited is proudly owned by a veteran who prides himself on his service to his country and his customer service. Let Mark and Laura Lin help you show your love of country with a beautiful new American flag. They have a mobile retail trailer and would love to show up at your festival or event. Call them at 605 202 0653, or follow them on Facebook at Flags Unlimited, and the number 2. Making the world a better place one flagpole at a time.

Speaker 44: >> Everyone loves a one meal near, unless it's to your pick I'll try. [NOISE] If you find yourself stuck in the one-hit Wonder Club get out with collision repair perfection. Blaine Body Shop will get your vehicle back to pre-accident condition. Don't be stuck with a one-hit Wonder. With help from.

Speaker 45: >> Blaine Body Shop, automotive collision repair.

Speaker 46: >> Orthopedic pain shouldn't disrupt every part of your life. You sit out when others head out. You find yourself saying, not today, when you really wish you could. If you've been avoiding the activities you used to love, make a change. The expert team at Sanford Orthopedics and Sports Medicine can guide you through a full scope of orthopedic care. We have surgical and nonsurgical treatment options, and manage your pain to get you back in action because life is better with the freedom to move. Learn more at Sanfordhealth.org.

John Thayer: >> Back at one final time at the old lumber company, Gorilla Bar downtown Vermillion Count Report presented by Bolt, a proud sponsor of South Dakota Coyote Athletics. Easy to drink, easy to enjoy. Get to coyote.com This week, a lot of events going on in the Coyote athletics. Obviously, a couple of volleyball matches coming up Thursday at 06:00 against Oral Roberts Scouts will take on North Dakota State on Saturday at 4:00. Those games coming up for Coyote volleyball. Then the Coyote football team battles North Dakota. It's another top-15 match-up for USD. It's a noon kickoff between USD and UND game presented by Midcoll. First 1,200 fans get a white stocking cap courtesy of Mid Coast sports. The leader in regional sports go to Coyote.com for all the ticket information or call 605 677 5959. Also the Coyote women's basketball team in action Friday at 11:30 AM the tip off at 22nd ranked Creighton, and the Coyote man tip off at 7:00 in the Sanford Pentagon in Sioux Falls against UT Rio Grande Valley. Catch both of those games on the Coyote Sports Network. A lot of stuff coming up here over the next few weeks for Coyote Athletics, so keep at it with all of the attendance and go to coyote.com for all that ticket information as well. The Old Number Company Grill in bars, a pre and post-game headquarters. Great food and drinks, arcade games, and all of your favorite sports on multiple TVs. Check it out at 15 Court Street downtown for Vermillion. Thanks to Kayla Caria, Eric Peterson, and Michael Runde joining the show today. I'm John Thayer. We're back in our Monday time slot Next week. Join us next week for the count report presented by Bud Light. Easy to Drink, easy to enjoy. Have a great rest of your Tuesday night.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

The Coyote Brotherhood Feature airs each week on the South Dakota football radio broadcast on the Coyote Sports Network. At halftime each week a former Coyote football player will talk about their playing days for the Yotes. The feature is presented by Maguire Iron, Hogen Haus Properties & Rentals, Boen & Associates and Pizza Ranch in Sioux Falls (41st St location).

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

John Thayer talks to Coyote cross country runner Abby Ripperda and SIU play-by-play man Luke Martin

READ THE TRANSCIPT

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.