USD’s Mi’Quise Grace wins Valley Defensive Player of the Year, Bob Nielson Coach of the Year

VERMILLION & BROOKINGS, S.D. (Dakota News Now) - USD RELEASE

After a 9-2 (7-1 MVFC) regular season with a share of the Missouri Valley Football Conference (MVFC) title, the South Dakota football team garnered two major awards and seven First Team honorees, the conference office announced Monday afternoon.

Mi’Quise Grace (So., Cincinnati, Ohio) was named the league’s Defensive Player of the Year, stepping into his first year starting role in his defensive line spot and started all 11 games for the Coyotes. Grace proved to be a menace for opposing offenses all season long, ending the season as the Valley leader in both tackles for loss (17.0) and sacks (9.5).

He had a career day against Indiana State with bests in TFLs (4.0) and sacks (2.5) back on November 9. He notched 2+ sacks twice this season, while recording at least one in six games. He also notched 1.5+ TFLs in seven games, having 11.5 in the final five games.

Head coach Bob Nielson earned the Bruce Craddock Valley Coach of the Year honor for the second-straight season. Nielson led the Coyotes to a 9-2 (7-1 MVFC) record heading into the FCS Playoffs, capping off the season with a comeback 29-28 win over No.1 North Dakota State to earn a share of the Valley title for the first time in program history.

Nielson has now guided the Coyotes to all four of the program’s FCS Playoff appearances, earning a top-4 seed in back-to-back seasons. The Coyotes were a perfect 6-0 in the DakotaDome this season and notched 500+ yards of offense in five games this season, while holding the second-best scoring defense mark in the FCS on the defensive side of the ball.

FIRST TEAM HONOREES

Charles Pierre Jr., running back
Pierre Jr. (So., Orlando, Fla.) led the Valley in total rushing yards (1,073) and rushing yards per game (97.5), playing in one less game than most of the MVFC teams this season. He sat second in the conference in rushing touchdowns, though leading all MVFC running backs with his 15 scores.

The Florida native was third in the league with his 7.6 yards per carry, while becoming the first 1,000-yard rusher in program history in the Division I era. He recorded six 100-yard rushing games and three 150+ yard games, being named the (Co-)Offensive Player of the Week on November 17.

Travis Theis, fullback
Theis (Sr., Pratt, Kan.) started all 10 games he played this season at running back, though he played in a full back formation throughout the season. He ranked third in the Valley to end the regular season at 84.6 yards per carry and had 13 rushing scores.

His 846 rushing yards sat seventh on the season, which also marks a single-season best for the sixth-year senior. He now has back-to-back seasons with 800+ yards on the ground. He notched three 100-yard rushing games with a season-high of 147 against Southern Illinois (Sept. 28).

The Kansas native ends his career as the Division I-era leader in carries, rushing yards, and rushing touchdowns heading into the FCS Playoffs.

Additionally, Theis also had 221 receiving yards on 20 receptions out of the backfield, bringing in a pair of receiving touchdowns.

Joey Lombard, offensive lineman
A four-year starter on the Coyote offensive line, Lombard (Sr., Anoka, Minn.) proved to be the anchor on the South Dakota offensive line making all 11 starts at center. He was an instrumental leader on a Coyote line that sat second in the Valley in total yards per game (441.6) and rushing yards per game (224.3), while having an effective pass block that allowed Bouman to sit second in the Valley in passing yards per game. All this led South Dakota to have the second-best scoring offense in the MVFC at 37.0 points per game.

JJ Galbreath, tight end
Despite missing the final three games due to injury, senior tight end Galbreath (Arvada, Colo.) proved to be a true senior leader on the field and a key target in the passing game. He sat second on the team, and the Valley, in yards per catch at 17.8 on the season in just eight games played.

He sat tied for second on the team with his 20 receptions for 356 yards (third on team). He was one of four Coyotes to bring down a pair of touchdown receptions, holding one 100-yard game this season against Southern Illinois (Sept. 28).

Mi’Quise Grace, defensive line
See information above for Grace’s Defensive Player of the Year honor.

Nick Gaes, defensive line
Proving to be a headache for opposing offenses, Gaes (Sr., Alta, Iowa) was a difference maker on the South Dakota defensive line. Making nine starts in his 10 games played, Gaes finished second in the Valley with his 8.0 sacks.

He sat T5th in the MVFC with his 10.0 tackles for loss, while being one of two Yotes with double-digit TFLs. Gaes also recorded 37 total tackles in the regular season.

The Iowa native enters the FCS Playoffs sitting fourth in program history with his 22.0 sacks.

Dennis Shorter, defensive back
In his senior season, Shorter (Sr., Daytona Beach, Fla.) proved to be one of the best safeties in the conference. He sat tied for the league lead with his 12 pass break-ups, while leading the conference with his 1.20 PBUs per contest.

The Florida native sat second on the team with his 58 tackles and forced a pair of fumbles, which sat in a tie for second in the Valley. He was also one of 10 Valley defensive backs to have multiple interceptions with his two.

SECOND TEAM HONOREES

Joe Cotton, offensive line
Cotton (So., Sioux Falls, S.D.) has started all 26 games in his Coyote career over two seasons, including all 11 games in 2024. Serving at left tackle on a Coyote line that sat second in the Valley in total yards per game (441.6) and rushing yards per game (224.3), while having an effective pass block that allowed Bouman to sit second in the Valley in passing yards per game. All this led South Dakota to have the second-best scoring offense in the MVFC at 37.0 points per game.

Bryce Henderson, offensive line
In his third season on the USD offensive line, Henderson (Jr., North Aurora, Ill.) has split time at guard and tackle. He’s started all 11 games at right tackle for the Yotes in 2024 on a O-line that sat second in the Valley in total yards per game (441.6) and rushing yards per game (224.3), while having an effective pass block that allowed Bouman to sit second in the Valley in passing yards per game. All this led South Dakota to have the second-best scoring offense in the MVFC at 37.0 points per game.

Blake Holden, defensive line
A captain of the defensive line, Holden (Sr., Watertown, S.D.) is a three-year starter on the Coyote D-line and started all 11 games for South Dakota this season. He sat third on the team in tackles for loss (6.0) and sacks (4.0).

He notched a career-best 1.5 sacks and a season-best five tackles against Indiana State (Nov. 9). He also had 33 tackles on the season heading into the FCS Playoffs.

Gary Bryant III, linebacker
The Coyote leader in tackles made the most of his first year as a starter at linebacker. Bryant III’s (So., Baltimore, Md.) 78 tackles sat 13th in the MVFC and his 7.1 tackles per game ranked 10th.

He had a season-best 11 tackles in four games this season, while posting three TFLs, three pass break-ups, and a forced fumble. He earned MVFC Defensive Player of the Week honors back on October 14 following the Northern Iowa game.

Mike Reid, defensive back
Starting 10 of the USD 11 games at cornerback in his lone season as a Coyote, Reid (Sr., Owings Mills, Md.) was a lockdown corner with teams choosing to avoid his direction as the season progressed. He posted 31 tackles (19 solo), while having one interception.

HONORABLE MENTION

Aidan Bouman, quarterback
Bouman (Jr., Buffalo, Minn.) led South Dakota to a 6-0 record inside the DakotaDome this season and to a share of the MVFC title with being one of two Valley quarterbacks to average 200+ passing yards per game. He sat second in the category with 205.2 yards per game, while throwing for 14 passing touchdowns which sat fifth.

His 2,257 passing yards sat fourth in the Missouri Valley, while also sitting fourth in completion percentage (67.8%). His longest pass this season of 80 yards (touchdown) sits third-best in the conference.

On the season, the Minnesota native entered the program’s top-10 list in passing yards in a season for the second-straight year. He had seven games with 200+ passing yards with a season-best 284 yards against Northern Iowa (Oct. 12). QB1 enters the FCS Playoffs with 20 career wins as a Coyote.

Travis Theis, running back
See information above in First Team honors.

Carter Bell, wide receiver / return specialist
The program’s best wide receiver in career receptions and receiving yards ends his collegiate career at South Dakota as an Honorable Mention wide receiver and return specialist. Bell (Sr., Bettendorf, Iowa) was the team’s leading receiver with 41 receptions for 587 yards. His receiving yards sat 10th in the Valley. He brought down a pair of receiving touchdowns which occurred in the final four games of the regular season.

He had one 100-yard receiving game against Indiana State (Nov. 9) and needs just four receiving touchdowns to break the program’s career record in his third different category.

Josiah Ganues, defensive back
A four-year starting safety in the Coyote secondary, Ganues (Miramar, Fla.) sat sixth on the team in tackles this season with his 43. He notched a season-best six tackles at No. 3 South Dakota State (Oct. 26).

The senior also had a pair of pass break-ups on the year and one tackle for loss from his safety spot.

Keyondray Jones-Logan, all-purpose
Jones-Logan (So., Orlando, Fla.) was the only FCS player to return TWO kickoffs for touchdowns this season, earning the season’s first Special Teams Player of the Week honor.

His first return of 97 yards (Northern State) and his second of 99 yards (Drake) were the main reasons he only had the opportunity to return just seven kickoffs this season. His 43.2 yards per return would’ve led the MVFC had he reached the minimum return number.

He now sits tied for the South Dakota career record for kickoffs returned for scores.

SDSU RELEASE

Sixteen players from league co-champion South Dakota State were honored Monday on the all-Missouri Valley Football Conference Team, highlighted by four-time selection Mark Gronowskiat quarterback.

Nine of the Jackrabbits' selections earned first-team recognition — five on defense and four on the offensive side of the ball. The team was selected by the league’s head coaches and sports information directors, along with a select media panel.

Pacing the defensive unit were the Jackrabbits' two leading tacklers, linebackers Adam Bockand Caleb Francl. A graduate student from Solon, Iowa, Bock received the third first-team all-MVFC award of his career after registering team bests of 75 total tackles and eight tackles for loss during the regular season. Previously a first-team honoree in 2021 and 2022, Bock also shares the team lead with three sacks, while adding an interception and fumble recovery.

Francl, a senior from Grand Island, Nebraska, ranks second on the team with 64 tackles, including seven tackles for loss and a sack. He also broke up four passes for a squad that is allowing only 12.4 points per game.

The Jackrabbit secondary also received a pair of first-team honors with safety Tucker Largerepeating on the top squad and cornerback Dalys Beanummoving up after receiving honorable mention recognition each of the two previous seasons.

Large, a junior from Sioux Falls, was limited to eight games during the regular season but solidified the Jackrabbit defense upon his return to the lineup the second half of the season by tallying 19 total tackles (12 solo), intercepting a pair of passes and breaking up four passes.

A senior from Omaha, Nebraska, Beanum totaled 37 tackles (25 solo) to go along with an interception, pass breakup and forced fumble. SDSU gave up only eight passing touchdowns in 12 regular season games and did not allow a league opponent to throw for more than 200 yards in any game this season. Beanum also handled the bulk of the punt return duties for the Jackrabbits, averaging 12.1 yards per return, including an 88-yarder for a touchdown Sept. 21 at Southeastern Louisiana.

Rounding out the Jackrabbits' first-team selections on defense was senior defensive tackle Jarod DePriest. A native of Trivoli, Illinois, DePriest recorded 25 total tackles, including 4.5 tackles for loss and a pair of sacks, in 12 regular season starts. He also forced a pair of fumbles.

The first-team offense features a pair of Jackrabbit linemen in guard Evan Beerntsenand Gus Miller, who helped pave the way for SDSU to average 36.6 points and 441.9 yards of offense per game. A three-year starter and a senior from De Pere, Wisconsin, Beerntsen was an honorable mention selection a season ago.

Miller, a Brookings native, helped anchor an offensive line that has surrendered only six sacks all season and has led the Football Championship Subdivision in fewest tackles for loss allowed at 2.58 per game. A second-team all-MVFC selection a year ago, Miller went on to win the Rimington Award for FCS as the top center in the subdivision.

SDSU backfield mates Amar Johnsonand Angel Johnsonalso were first-team honorees. Amar Johnson received his recognition as a running back after leading the Jackrabbits with 910 yards and 13 touchdowns on the ground, while also ranking second on the team with 26 receptions for 187 yards and a score. A senior from O’Fallon, Missouri, Johnson was a first-team all-purpose back last season.

Angel Johnson took over the all-purpose back role for the Jackrabbits in 2024 and earned first-team all-league honors after averaging 104.3 total yards in 10 games. A junior from Viborg, he collected 555 rushing yards on 78 carries (7.1 ypc) with three touchdowns, caught 15 passes for 181 yards and a touchdown, and served as the team’s primary kick returner with 307 yards on 14 attempts (21.9 yards) that included a 99-yard touchdown versus Youngstown State.

Gronowski, meanwhile, led a group of four Jackrabbits named to the all-MVFC Second Team. Previously a first-team honoree during the 2020-21 spring season and again in 2023, as well as a second-team selection in 2022, the senior from Naperville, Illinois, completed 61.8 percent of his passes (173-of-280) for 2,190 yards and 17 touchdowns during the 2024 regular season. He threw only one interception in eight league games and also rushed for 309 yards and five touchdowns in running his career record as a starting quarterback to 47-5.

In addition, Gronowski was an MVFC Offensive Player of the Year during both the 2020-21 and 2023 campaigns.

Gronowski’s primary receiving target, sophomore Griffin Wilde, also was honored on the second team. A Sioux Falls native, Wilde ended the regular season as the Jackrabbits' leader in all major receiving categories with 56 receptions, 900 receiving yards and 8 touchdowns. He topped the 100-yard mark four times and had a pair of multi-touchdown games.

Two more members of the Jackrabbit secondary, safety Colby Huerterand cornerback Colby Humphrey, were second-team honorees. Despite missing four games to injury, Huerter still managed to rank fifth on the squad with 44 total tackles. The senior from Katy, Texas, also notched 2.5 tackles for loss and an interception in regular season action.

Humphrey moved into the starting lineup as a graduate transfer and responded by registering 22 solo tackles among his 27 total stops. A native of Birmingham, Alabama, Humphrey also contributed an interception and three pass breakups.

Another key contributor in the defensive backfield, Matthew Durrance, was one of three Jackrabbits to receive honorable mention accolades. A starter in 10 games at either of the safety positions, Durrance ranked fourth on the squad with 51 tackles (36 solo), including a pair for loss. The native of Lutz, Florida, also turned in a fumble recovery, two interceptions and three pass breakups.

Also receiving honorable mention awards were defensive lineman Kobe Clayborneand punter Hunter Dustman.

Clayborne split time at both defensive tackle and defensive end, totaling 24 tackles, 3.5 tackles for loss and 2.5 sacks. A junior from Sioux City, Iowa, he also recovered a fumble.

Dustman earned all-MVFC honors for his punting for the second time in his career after averaging 43.1 yards on 36 attempts during the regular season. The senior from East Bethel, Minnesota, recorded eight punts of 50-plus yards with a long of 56, and landed 14 of his attempts inside the opponents' 20-yard line. As a team, the Jackrabbits rank sixth among FCS squads for net punting at 41.77 yards per attempt.

South Dakota State claimed the MVFC’s automatic bid to the FCS playoffs for a third consecutive year, completing the 2024 regular season with a 10-2 overall record and a 7-1 mark in league play. The third-seeded Jackrabbits open postseason action Saturday by hosting Montana, with kickoff slated for 1 p.m. at Dana J. Dykhouse Stadium.

The 2024 MVFC All-Newcomer Team will be announced Tuesday.