UNI football vs. South Dakota: Live stream, 3 keys to the game

CEDAR FALLS — Picked eighth in the Missouri Valley Football Conference’s preseason poll, FCS No. 21 South Dakota (4-1, 2-1) has exceeded expectations.

The Coyotes are coming off a 20-13 win against No. 22 North Dakota last week. South Dakota has been led by its defense, which is allowing just 15.3 points per game, good for 12th overall in the FCS.

No. 16 Northern Iowa (3-2, 1-1) leads the all-time series 30-19-1 and have won three straight against the Coyotes.

Here’s three keys for UNI against South Dakota:

1. Eradicate errors

UNI’s loss to No. 3 North Dakota State last week was perhaps one of the most bittersweet in recent memory.

The Panthers committed nine penalties for 70 yards, gave up a 41-yard punt return that set up one of the Bison’s four touchdowns and lost two fumbles. Clean up those errors and it’s likely an upset might have taken place at the Fargodome, especially considering the fact UNI outgained NDSU 381 to 363 in total yards.

Coach Mark Farley and quarterback Theo Day have both kept their optimism intact this week about an improving offense, but didn’t shy away from acknowledging that better discipline will be necessary to reach their potential.

The Coyotes may not be as good as the Bison, but if the Panthers struggle with penalties and turnovers they’ll find themselves with two early conference losses and battling for their playoff lives.

2. Wear ’em down

South Dakota’s defense has been among the FCS’ best so far this season, in part due to a scheme change with new defensive coordinator Travis Johansen.

Johansen shifted the Coyotes from a four down lineman front to a multiple front system, a scheme that can easily disguise and cause offensive line problems with protection calls.

UNI center Erik Sorensen — who makes pre-snap protection calls — will need to lean on his film study from this week as well as his in-game feel to put Day and the Panthers offense in position to execute their play calls. Beyond Sorensen, simply wearing down the Coyotes front seven with a continually improving run game could go a long way toward finding holes in a top-shelf defense.

3. Defense vs. defense

As important as it will be for UNI’s offense to create points, what should be an epic battle between two of the FCS’ best defenses will ultimately decide the game.

While the Coyotes have been excellent in regards to points and yards allowed, they haven’t kept pace with UNI when it comes to turnovers. The Panthers sit second in the FCS with 16 — eight fumble recoveries and eight interceptions.

In what’s an incredibly close match up on paper, whichever defense wins the turnover battle feels like this game’s most important factor.

UNI vs. South Dakota

Kickoff: 4 p.m. CT

TV: none

Live stream: ESPN+

Prediction: UNI 27, South Dakota 17