South Dakota State defeats USD in overtime in first rivalry game – Sioux Falls Live

BROOKINGS — It’s still a blue state. Barely.

No. 3 South Dakota State edged No. 4 South Dakota 20-17 in the first-ever overtime game between the teams on Saturday at Dana J. Dykhouse Stadium.

Amar Johnson’s 3-yard run in overtime was the game-winner, and the Jackrabbits improved to 10-2 against USD in the Division I era. The Coyotes have never won in Brookings as a Division I team.

The Coyotes took a 17-14 lead in overtime on a Will Leyland field goal, but SDSU picked up two first downs on its play and then punched it in on Johnson’s run.

SDSU improves to 6-2 with the win, while USD falls to 6-2.

The Jacks host Murray State next week while USD gets a bye week.

Both teams scored on their first drives, and SDSU added another in the second quarter to take a 14-7 lead. That’s when both defenses held on and the offenses realized they weren’t doing anything.

It could have stayed that way until the end, but USD’s defense took matters into its own hands when Dennis Shorter forced a fumble from Angel Johnson in the fourth quarter that bounced right to USD’s Mi’Quise Grace for a game-long score rumbled 15 yards. Tie touchdown.

USD had a chance to win in regulation when they moved into field goal range, but Leyland’s 46-yard throw with 30 seconds left was useless, sending the teams into overtime.

Matt Zimmer is a Sioux Falls native and longtime sportswriter. He graduated from Washington High School, where he played football and Legion baseball and developed a lifelong love of the Minnesota Twins and Vikings. After graduating from St. Cloud State University, he returned to Sioux Falls and began a long career in amateur baseball and sports reporting. Email Matt at [email protected].