South Dakota rolls to 42-13 win over Southern Illinois in MVFC opener

VERMILLION, S.D. (AP) Aidan Bouman threw two touchdown passes, Travis Theis and Charles Pierre Jr. ran for two scores each and South Dakota beat Southern Illinois 42-13 in a Missouri Valley Football Conference opener Saturday that matched two top-25 FCS teams.

Bouman was 11 of 17 for 247 yards passing. He found JJ Galbreath behind the SIU defense for an 80-yard score for the first of three Coyotes touchdowns in the second quarter that led to a 35-7 halftime lead. The last was Bouman's 61-yard connection with Quaron Adams in the final minute before the break.

Theis had 147 yards on 25 carries with TD runs of 1 and 20 yards for the Coyotes (3-1, 1-0), ranked fifth in the coaches poll. Pierre added 124 yards on 15 carries. Galbreath finished with 100 yards receiving.

Hunter Simmons finished 23-of-41 passing for 306 yards with two touchdowns for the Salukis (2-3, 0-1), ranked No. 17.

South Dakota outgained SIU 549-366 including 302 on the ground to the Salukis' 60.

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