CARBONDALE, Illinois — The University of South Dakota football team clinched a remarkable 53-51 victory over Southern Illinois on October 28, 2023, in a dramatic five-overtime thriller. This win not only marked the Coyotes’ eighth triumph of the season but also secured their place in the FCS playoffs after a challenging start that saw them at 2-3.
Facing a 17-point deficit with just under 12 minutes remaining in the third quarter, South Dakota mounted a spirited comeback. Following a fake field goal that resulted in a touchdown for Southern Illinois, the Coyotes responded with a series of key defensive stops and scoring drives. With less than five minutes left in the game and needing to convert a fourth-and-two situation, quarterback Aidan Bouman connected with Larenzo Fenner for an 11-yard touchdown, leveling the score at 31-31.
The Coyotes’ defense, which had held Southern Illinois scoreless for nearly 26 minutes, allowed South Dakota to take its first lead of the day. Bouman orchestrated a potential game-winning drive, culminating in a 32-yard field goal by Will Leyland, giving the Coyotes a 34-31 advantage with only one minute left in regulation. Yet, Southern Illinois was not finished. Quarterback DJ Williams, who accumulated 392 total yards and four touchdown passes, led a last-minute drive that set up a 36-yard field goal by Paul Geelen, sending the game into overtime.
In the first overtime period, South Dakota won the coin toss and chose to play defense first. Williams quickly found Jay Jones for a 25-yard touchdown, putting the Salukis ahead 41-34. In response, Bouman connected with L.J. Phillips Jr. for a 16-yard touchdown on fourth down, tying the game again at 41-41.
The second overtime saw similar back-and-forth action. Bouman threw a 24-yard touchdown pass to Fenner, followed by Williams hitting Vinson Davis III for a touchdown, resulting in a 49-49 tie as both teams converted two-point attempts.
As the game progressed into the third overtime, the stakes rose. The format required teams to alternate two-point attempts, and after both teams secured stops, the match continued into a fourth overtime. Each team successfully executed their two-point attempts, extending the contest into a fifth overtime, which became the longest game in South Dakota’s program history.
In a critical moment of the fifth overtime, the Coyotes’ defense delivered a crucial stop. Bouman found Fenner once more in a one-on-one situation, securing the victory and the FCS playoff berth. Bouman finished the game with an impressive performance, completing 21 of 30 passes for 300 yards and five touchdown passes, marking his third career 300-yard game.
Fenner had a standout day, achieving career highs with 130 receiving yards and three touchdown receptions. Additionally, backup running back Carson Fletcher made an impact with 100 rushing yards on 19 carries, marking his first career 100-yard game as a true freshman. L.J. Phillips Jr. overcame a minor injury to contribute with 92 rushing yards and a touchdown.
The Coyotes amassed a total of 524 yards of offense, marking the third time this season they surpassed the 500-yard mark. South Dakota maintained possession of the ball for 35 minutes and 33 seconds, showcasing their ability to control the game tempo.
With this victory, South Dakota concluded the regular season on a high note, winning six of their last seven games, including three victories over ranked opponents. The Coyotes, now seeded No. 17, will await developments during a scheduled bye week to determine their playoff positioning and the possibility of hosting a home game.