Austyn Modrzewski's historic debut powers USD past Central Connecticut State in season opener

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Aug. 29—VERMILLION, S.D. — For three quarters Saturday night, the University of South Dakota offense was in the hands and legs of a redshirt freshman quarterback who looked anything but inexperienced.

Austyn Modrzewski accounted for seven touchdowns in his collegiate debut, throwing for six scores and running for another, as the Coyotes ran away from Central Connecticut State for a 59-20 victory at the DakotaDome to open the 2026 season and the Matt Vitzthum era as coach.

Making his first career start under the first-year head coach, Modrzewski completed 16 of 20 passes for 304 yards without an interception. His six touchdown passes tied the USD single-game record, while his passing-yard total established a new program record for a Coyote making his debut in the FCS era.

And he did it all in just three quarters before giving way to reserve quarterback Jackson Proctor.

It took Modrzewski only one drive to settle in.

After USD opened the game with a three-and-out, Central Connecticut State marched 64 yards on 10 plays on its opening possession, taking a 7-0 lead on Issac Stopke's 3-yard touchdown run.

From there, the Coyotes took over. Modrzewski led eight consecutive scoring drives, turning a one-score deficit into a 42-10 halftime advantage. The defense complemented the offensive explosion by holding the Blue Devils to just 90 total yards on 31 plays in the opening half.

Modrzewski added the most explosive play of his debut on the ground. On his first collegiate rushing attempt, he broke loose for a 68-yard touchdown. He finished with two carries for 81 yards, giving him 385 total yards of offense and seven touchdowns in his first game.

His receiving corps repeatedly turned short opportunities into big plays. Keyondray Jones-Logan caught a pass through the middle and used his speed to race 61 yards for a touchdown, finishing with two receptions for 103 yards. Brayden White hauled in five passes for 82 yards and two touchdowns, while Tennel Bryant had a 49-yard touchdown reception from Modrzewski on a deep post in the second half.

Jesse Miller added three catches for 18 yards, including a 2-yard touchdown reception on a clean two-minute drill to close the first half. Chris Herrin also found the end zone on a 23-yard touchdown in the first half, finishing with two catches for 29 yards.

USD continued pouring it on after halftime. Modrzewski's touchdown strike to White to open the second half pushed the lead to 49-10, and his sixth touchdown pass came with the Coyotes ahead 56-10 to Bryant with 7:04 remaining in the third quarter.

The running game provided plenty of production, as well. Charles Pierre Jr. rushed for 77 yards on 10 carries, while Carson Fletcher added 45 yards on five carries and a touchdown.

Defensively, Wade Abrams paced the Coyotes with nine total tackles, including six solo stops and a tackle for loss. Gabe Hardman recorded eight tackles and a tackle for loss.

The Coyotes (1-0) now hit the road for the first time this season, traveling to Greeley, Colorado, for a non-conference matchup against Northern Colorado at 7 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 5.

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