Revamped USD offense building its identity as season opener draws closer

Aug. 13—VERMILLION, S.D. — Fifteen practices into fall camp, the University of South Dakota football's offense is beginning to take shape and find its identity. There are still plenty of questions to answer before the Coyotes open the season Aug. 29 against Central Connecticut State at the DakotaDome, but after more than two weeks of preseason practices, USD is starting to discover what its new-look offense can become. The biggest question still remains at quarterback, as Austyn Modrzewski has continued to receive the majority of the first-team reps after being named the leader of the three-man competition following the first week of camp. But Dartmouth transfer Jackson Proctor has pushed him hard over the last four or five practices, according to USD head coach Matt Vitzthum after practice on Thursday, Aug. 13, while Nevan Cremascoli remains firmly in the competition. For now, Modrzewski may be in front, but Vitzthum has made it clear that the job is not his until the coaching staff says it is. "We're building chemistry with all three of those quarterbacks in an ongoing race, but the growth I have seen from practice one to practice 15 has been great on that side of the ball," Vitzthum said. "And I always say offense takes a little longer than defense, and we're getting there. Each guy brings a unique skill set to the table, and it's on us as a staff to find ways to make them better football players." That development has been especially important for Modrzewski, who has been placed in a variety of game-like situations throughout camp. On Thursday, Aug. 13, the Coyotes spent much of their practice working through situational football where they worked through third-and-short situations, end-of-game scenarios and the two-minute drill to simulate different circumstances in a real game. Vitzthum has intentionally put Modrzewski in those 'game-like' situations, as he and the offensive staff wants Modrzewski to become comfortable commanding the offense when the pressure is there. Vitzthum said Modrzewski's presence in the huddle has improved significantly since the beginning of camp, pointing to his voice, confidence and command as areas where the quarterback has made noticeable progress. "He could be coming off the worst practice he has ever had, but he's going to show up with the same confidence, the same mindset, the same juice," Vitzthum said. "And that's what I love about the kid." Second-year offensive coordinator Tim Morrison and Modrzewski have also been working with the helmet communication system, getting the offensive calls from the coaching staff to the quarterback and then translating those calls into action in the huddle and on the field. It is another part of Modrzewski's development that he is learning in real time. While the quarterback battle gets most of the attention, the Coyotes are also rebuilding almost every other part of their offensive position groups. USD will field an entirely new offensive line this season. None of the five linemen who started the Coyotes' season-ending playoff loss to Montana last year remain on the team, creating one of the biggest areas of transition on the roster. But one player who has emerged as an important piece of that rebuilding effort is redshirt freshman Lucas Feldkamp. Feldkamp has worked at left tackle, left guard and center during camp and is expected to run with the starters. His versatility could become particularly valuable for an inexperienced offensive line trying to establish themselves. Vitzthum said Feldkamp has taken a "ginormous step" during his second year in the program and has become one of the players who has stood out most during camp. At running back, meanwhile, the Coyotes appear to have considerably more stability and depth. Despite losing L.J. Phillips Jr. after he put together the best rushing season at USD last year, they return an All-American in Charles Pierre Jr. and Keyondray Jones-Logan, who both missed last season. Carson Fletcher also figures to see an expanded role after finishing second on the team in rushing a season ago, while Reid Watkins continues to provide another option in the running backs room. That group has emerged as the most established position on the offensive side of the ball, and it shows during practice. The rest of the offense is still searching for its answers. USD lost its top two receiving threats from a year ago, leaving the Coyotes to find new playmakers on the outside. Tysen Boze and Tennel Bryant are two returning names who made significant contributions late last season, particularly during the playoffs, and both are expected to help provide experience to a changing receiver room. But Vitzthum has also been impressed by the emergence of Brayden White. White was primarily a returner last season, but his speed and development as a receiver have made him one of the more intriguing players to watch during camp as a redshirt freshman, and Vitzthum said he has been having a really good one so far. At tight end, the Coyotes are also looking for their identity within Morrison's offense. Redshirt freshman Chris Herrin has been one of the biggest surprises of camp. Vitzthum said Herrin has had one of the best camps of any player on either side of the football, giving the Coyotes another young player who could emerge as a meaningful contributor. The bigger picture, however, is still about discovering what all of these pieces look like together. "I think we are still developing our own identity," Vitzthum said. "I think good offenses and good offensive staffs, you think you know what you are going to do and you think you know your schemes, but until you see your guys and see that come together you don't truly know. "We know we're going to run the football," Vitzthum added. "We're going to find different creative ways to do that, but to get the right people on the field and in the right spots, they're really starting to kind of hone in on that as an offensive staff." The Coyotes have 16 days between Thursday's practice and their season opener, and there are still roles to be filled on the offensive side of the ball. And for Vitzthum, he is excited to watch that unfold with the season right around the corner. "Obviously, we are kind of running out of time but that is what makes this part of fall camp so exciting," Vitzthum said. "All of our guys are working their tails off, and everyone is still fighting for a spot on the depth chart. These next two weeks are going to be critical for our football team."