Christion's TD run lifts South Dakota State to 28-21 win

BROOKINGS, S.D. (AP) — South Dakota State rolled up 630 yards of total offense and needed every bit of it, plus a late defensive stop, to beat rival South Dakota 28-21 Saturday in the Missouri Valley Football Conference.

SDSU led four different times, but didn't take the lead for good until quarterback Taryn Christion scored on a 7-yard run with 4:39 to play.

Christion threw for 215 yards but did his best work on the ground for FCS 11th-ranked SDSU (7-3, 6-1 MVFC). Christion ran for 79 yards and two touchdowns. SDSU ran for 415 yards.

"The O-line, the fullbacks, the tight ends. They all rose up," SDSU coach John Stiegelmeier said. "You're supposed to find a way to win the game. It's really impressive when you think about it. You throw the ball for all those yards in those other games but in this one you choose to run and they responded."

Brady Mengarelli led SDSU in rushing with 161 yards on 21 carries. Isaac Wallace ran eight times for 102 yards, including a 47-yard TD run.

The Jackrabbits went up 7-0 on Kyle Paris' 3-yard run and Chase Vinatieri's PAT with 8:40 left in the first quarter.

SDSU threatened to add to the lead but Christion was hit at the 1-yard line and fumbled through the end zone, giving the Coyotes (4-6, 3-4) the ball at the 20.

That came back to haunt the Jacks as South Dakota was able to tie the game before halftime. Chris Streveler threw a 16-yard TD pass to Brandt Van Roekel with 32 seconds left in the second quarter.

Stiegelmeier saw the half as missed opportunities by the Jacks.

"We fumble in the end zone and miss two field goals, and (Mengarelli) should have taken a knee there to kick a field goal," Stiegelmeier said of the first half.

SDSU outgained the Coyotes 342-147 in the first two quarters.

The Jacks went back on top on Wallace's run with 8:41 left in the third quarter.

USD coach Chris Streveler guided a 70-yard drive that ended with an 8-yard TD pass to Allen Dakarai to tie it 14-14.

Streveler again led the Coyotes in rushing with 66 yards. He completed 24 of 35 passes for 217 yards and two scores.

Christion's 20-yard run late in the third quarter made it 21-14 but Streveler responded with a 3-yard TD run.

The teams combined for six scoring drives of 65 yards or more, including the game-winning 80-yarder in the fourth.

USD's last chance ended with an interception with 11 seconds to play.

SDSU has beaten USD eight straight times. The Coyotes, who have lost three straight games, haven't won since 2000.