Reports: USD Aims for Enhanced Offense: Boosting Productivity and Explosiveness
VERMILLION, S.D. (KELO) — Despite securing 10 victories last season, USD’s offense struggled with consistency and was held under 20 points in six out of 13 games. With the new season just over two weeks away, the Coyotes are aiming to boost their offensive productivity.
In 2024, Aidan Bouman will be in his second year as the starting quarterback. Last year, he threw for 15 touchdowns and averaged nearly 200 yards per game. This season, the Buffalo, Minn., native will have a broader playbook, hoping to generate more big plays.
“We’re adding more responsibilities for him, allowing him to make more decisions at the line of scrimmage, which we hope will make our offense more efficient than it was last year,” said USD head coach Bob Nielson.
“It’s all about decision-making and ensuring that I’m getting the ball to the playmakers,” Bouman noted. “That’s my primary role.”
“Last year, he was often restricted and couldn’t adjust bad play calls, which affected our overall performance,” added USD offensive coordinator Josh Davis. “This limitation hindered our potential to perform at a championship level.”
On the offensive line, the Coyotes return all five starters. Their physicality and continuity are expected to be crucial for the success of the offense, especially with a run-focused strategy featuring Travis Theis and Charles Pierre Jr.
“You hope they improve with experience and become more physical, which is essential in this league,” Nielson said. “For a strong running game, physicality up front is crucial. This group has shown progress, and I’m excited about the potential improvement in our running game.”
“Elite offensive line play is vital for winning Division I football games,” Davis emphasized. “They understand their importance. It all starts with Joey Lombard, our center and team captain, who is an exceptional player with a high football IQ and great physical ability.”
USD averaged 24 points per game last season. The Coyotes will kick off their 2024 season at home against Northern State on August 29.