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USD looks to corrupt Huskies
Now the fun begins.
After starting off the 2002 season 2-0 in nonconference play, the Huskies are ready to dive headlong into their NCC schedule.
They are trying to go 3-0 for the first time under Randy Hedberg, as they take on the 0-2 University of South Dakota Coyotes.
It will not be an easy task, as the Coyotes, who dropped their two nonconference games by a total of nine points, will be hungry for their first victory.
The Coyotes most recently fell to Minnesota-Duluth 23-21 at home.
SCSU will look to their leaders on offense, junior quarterback Keith Heckendorf and senior wideout Ben Nelson, to gain large chunks of offense and keep South Dakota’s defense off-balance as the Huskies continue to settle into their two-back running attack.
The Coyotes will counter with the most effective run defense St. Cloud has seen so far.
“They have a good front seven,” Hedberg said. “I think it’ll be the best front seven we’ve faced up to this point. We felt the same way last year.
“They do so many things in front as far as slanting (their defensive linemen and linebackers) and twisting them. It really takes a lot to prepare for.”
The SCSU receiving corps should also get a boost from the 2002 debut of wide receiver Tim Greene, who missed the first two games with an ankle injury.
The Husky defense will have its hands full, as it must prepare for two quarterbacks who split time in the USD offense. Freshman Sean McLaughlin and senior Ryan Justice have both been fighting for the starting job.
McLaughlin holds the edge after two games, completing a higher percentage of passes, throwing for more yards (201 to 129), touchdowns (two to zero) and fewer interceptions (one to three).
“McLaughlin has really played well for them when he’s come into the game and I think he might be what we’ll see on Saturday,” Hedberg said. “I think he has some real good potential and I wouldn’t be surprised if we see him from the start.”
The improved Husky run-stoppers should be able to keep the USD running backs at bay; they have only gained a total of 106 yards on the ground through the first two games.
Running backs Jason Anderson and Davon Hudspeth have split the bulk of the carries almost 50-50.
So far, the Huskies have achieved one of their season goals: go 2-0 in their first two nonconference games. Winning their first conference game was goal number two, and is within reach.
“You want to get off to a good start in the league,” Hedberg said, “and we know how important that is and how difficult it is to win in this conference, so this is a game we set our sights on from that standpoint.”
The Huskies and the Coyotes will kick off the NCC season at 1 p.m. Saturday at historic Selke Field.
Saturday will also be the day that Husky fans will find out if their team is for real or not.
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