VERMILLION, S.D. (KELO) — No. 4 USD advanced to the FCS semifinals with a 35-21 win over No. 5 UC Davis at DakotaDome Saturday afternoon.
In the second quarter, Aidan Bouman found an open Quaron Adams for a 71-yard pass that would lead to Travis Theis exceeding the all time rushing touchdown record, and grant the Yotes the 14-7 lead.
Josiah Ganues caught his first pick of the season during the Aggies first drive of the game. The pick led to USD’s early 7-0 lead until UC Davis responded on the following drive to tie the game at seven. USD would pull away to start the second quarter with a 21-7 lead. The Aggies would make it a one-possession game late in the second.
USD let up two interceptions in the first half, the most crucial was late in the first half as USD looked to extend the lead, Bouman was picked off by Gaven Cooke. The play wouldn’t take away from USD having the lead 21-14 at the half.
The Coyotes defense found ways to get the ball back to the Yote offense garnering five interceptions. It’d a defensive stall throughout the third quarter until Bouman connected with Carter Bell on a 17-yard pass in the endzone to extend the advantage to double figures.
The Aggies responded for the first time since the first half on a scoring drive that took nearly half the fourth quarter. Miles Hastings to Trent Tompkins in the endzone would make it a one-possession game once again. On the following drive, USD extended the lead as Theis ran in for his second touchdown of the game late in the fourth.
South Dakota (11-2) was outgained by UC Davis 433-382, but the Yotes had the ground game covered by 193-88.
Bouman finished 14-of-22 for 253 yards, three passing TDs and two interceptions. Theis racked up 86 rushing yards and two touchdowns. Galbreath tallied 45 receiving yards and two scores on six catches.
The Coyotes will now travel to Bozeman to take on top-ranked Montana State in the semifinals next Saturday at 2:30 p.m. CT.
