No football team dealt with more adversity a year ago than the South Dakota Coyotes.

A new head coach (Joe Glenn), a new conference (Missouri Valley), a host of new faces on the roster, and a series of mistakes all added up to a 1-10 season (0-8 in conference play).

With the 2013 season just days away, everyone associated with the USD program is happily turning the page in the hopes of brighter things to come.

But adversity is already looming large in Vermillion.

The two running backs the Coyotes were relying on heavily this season won't be on the field.  Senior Jasper Sanders (Kansas City, MO) is out for the year with a wrist injury and senior Earv Archambeau (Avon, SD) is likely out for the year with an Achilles tear.

That leaves the running back position in the hands of two first-year players, Trevor Bouma (LeMars, IA) and Jordan Roberts (Sheridan, WY).

That's the bad news.

The good news?  Bouma and Roberts combined for 80 touchdowns and more than 6,000 yards as seniors in high school.

So with two new faces carrying the ball, with the Coyotes alter their offensive attack?  Head coach Joe Glenn doesn't think that's necessary:

Freshman Khorey Kilgore (Blue Springs, MO) is also expected to get a number of carries this season.

The one proven runner the Coyotes do have back is junior quarterback Josh Vander Maten (Boyden, IA), who rushed for close to 700 yards last season.

Vander Maten knows that puts more pressure on his feet and also his mechanics as a quarterback, handing off to new running backs:

Injuries are also hampering the defense.

Lineman Chris Wiseman (Lee's Summit, MO) and middle linebacker Kyle Staples (Fresno, CA) will each miss the season with torn ACLs.

USD is revamping the depth charts with the season opener August 31st against UC Davis at the DakotaDome.

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