SDSU Preps For Instate Rivalry Against USD

by Jeff Rusack, Reporter
November 16, 2012 5:47 PM


The grass is covered with a fresh coat of paint and the parking lot is set for some morning tailgating.

Not much appears different at Coughlin Alumni Stadium 24 hours before a home game, except for the name of the opponent.  

For the first time since 2002 the Coyotes are coming to town.   

Gates open at 12:30pm and the parking lot opens at 10am. SDSU officials have some simple advice.

“I would say, plan ahead. Get here early. There's going to be lots of people driving around and walking and people certainly don't want to miss the kickoff,” said Assistant Athletic Director, Christi Williams.    

Coughlin Alumni Stadium can seat about 11,000 people. They've had about 16,000 before and Saturday they're preparing for even more.

“The stadium has a capability of going more above that. Whether that happens tomorrow or not, is to be seen,” said Williams.

But, just in case there’s not enough room for people to stand around the field, school officials are doing something they haven't done before.  

“The one thing extra we're doing for this game is setting up a video board on the practice field on the east side,” said Williams.

With the first time two South Dakota schools will play at Coughlin Alumni Stadium in nearly a decade, school officials say there will be extra security.  

“Check bags, check coats and all that stuff. That will certainly be done again, obviously. We'll probably have more officers because of the number of people we are expecting,” said Williams.

School officials prepare for an instate rivalry, one that has been quiet for the last nine years but is primed to reignite.