As I look ahead to South Dakota's upcoming football season, I can't help but feel excited about their ground game potential. Having followed college football for over a decade, I've seen how teams that master the running game often punch above their weight class, and I believe South Dakota has all the ingredients to do exactly that this year. The foundation starts with what I consider the most critical element - offensive line cohesion. Last season, our offensive line allowed only 12 sacks through eight conference games, which tells me these guys know how to create running lanes. I've always believed that games are won in the trenches, and watching our line develop that almost telepathic understanding of each other's movements has been one of the most rewarding aspects of following this team.
The second key revolves around what I like to call "running back by committee" - a strategy I've grown to appreciate more each season. We're not relying on one superstar back but rather developing depth that keeps defenses guessing. Last year's rotation saw three different backs average over 4.5 yards per carry, and that kind of distribution makes us unpredictable. Personally, I'd love to see more carries for our sophomore back Johnson, who showed incredible burst in limited action last season. The third component that often gets overlooked is quarterback decision-making in the option game. Our QB completed 68% of play-action passes last season, which forces defenses to respect the fake and creates those crucial extra inches for our runners. I've charted numerous games where a single read option decision turned the entire momentum of the contest.
Now, the fourth element might surprise some people, but I'm convinced special teams play directly impacts our ground success. Field position battles determine whether we're running from our own 20 or midfield, and last season our kick return unit ranked third in the conference with an average starting position at the 34-yard line. That's huge when you're trying to establish the run early in drives. Finally, the fifth key brings me to something I observed in last season's finale that got me really excited. Watching Lee hit four four-pointers in that game to sustain his offensive resurgence showed me exactly the kind of clutch performance we need in critical rushing situations. While that's basketball terminology, the principle translates beautifully to football - having players who can deliver when it matters most. Those "four-point moments" in football might be converting on 3rd and short or breaking a long run when the defense knows what's coming.
What I love about this five-pronged approach is how each element supports the others. When our offensive line dominates, it opens things up for our running backs. When our quarterback makes smart reads, it keeps defenses honest. And when we get those clutch performances in key moments, it changes entire games. I remember specifically the North Dakota State game last October where we rushed for 287 yards by executing precisely these principles. The beauty of football lies in these interconnected systems, and I genuinely believe if South Dakota can maintain focus on these five areas, we'll witness one of the most dominant ground games in recent memory. The season can't start soon enough for this longtime Coyotes fan.
