The number 11 seed University of South Dakota was a 38-17 first round NCAA Football Championship Series winner on Saturday in Vermillion vs. the Drake Bulldogs. Jesse Miller of rural Greene County and a 2023 Greene County High School graduate is a starting tight end for the victorious Coyotes. The ‘Yotes improved to 9-4 with two of those wins over the Bulldogs, each by 21 points. Leading 17-10 at halftime, USD led 38-10 before Drake scored the last seven points of the game with  seconds left in the game. The Bulldogs finish the season with an 8-4 record.

Miller played the great majority of offensive snaps for USD. Tight ends for USD did not catch any passes on Saturday, but were instrumental in helping the “Yotes gain 417 yards of offense. USD plays on Dec. 13 vs. sixth seeded Mercer in Macon, GA in the next round of the FCS Playoffs.

Jesse’s older brother Tyler’s team won on Saturday as well. The Iowa State Cyclones were 20-13 victors over Oklahoma State in Stillwater. ISU ends the regular season with eight wins and four losses and is bowl bound.  The Cyclones will find out their bowl opponent and site on Dec. 7. Whichever bowl game ISU plays in, Tyler’s six season Cyclones’ football career will come to an end. He been an offensive tackle starter for much of that time.