VERMILLION, S.D. -- Ryan Saeger ran for two touchdowns and passed for a third Saturday and South Dakota held off a second-half surge by Northern Arizona to win 28-21.
NAU (2-2) scored twice in the third quarter before the Coyotes pulled away on a 9-yard TD pass and a two-point conversion pass from Saeger to Eric Shufford Jr.
"South Dakota's quarterback did a really good job of turning passes into runs," NAU coach Jerome Souers said. "We needed to tackle better and make more plays."
Casey Jahn scored on a 3-yard run in the fourth, but South Dakota (2-2) was driving when time ran out.
Saeger gained 108 yards on 14 carries and was 6 of 15 for 85 yards passing and one interception.
The Coyotes (2-2) capitalized on two interceptions with 1-yard keepers by Saeger and led 20-0 at halftime on 31- and 22-yard field goals by Miles Bergner.
"We didn't sustain drives like we needed to," Souers said. "I am proud of the way our guys came back in the second half to give us a chance. They continued to fight so there are a lot of positives to build on as we get ready for conference."
The Lumberjacks surged on a 3-yard TD run by Jahn and a 6-yard scoring pass from Kyren Poe to Nick Butier.
Poe was 11 of 22 for 174 yards passing with three interceptions. Quarterback Chase Cartwright entered the game for NAU midway through the fourth quarter. He finished 4-for-6 with 69 yards.
"We knew what we had to do entering the game," Lumberjacks safety Eddie Horn said. "We made some bad plays early and in the second half we were able to correct those mistakes and get back in the game. From here we need to focus on our next game and that starts tomorrow."
