Vermillion, S.D. • Southern Utah coach Ed Lamb is impressed by South Dakota's defense, which will provide a stern test for the high-powered Thunderbirds on Saturday at the DakotaDome.

"They are very fast," Lamb said. "They have active pass rushers. They have great length, to use a basketball term, and they use it to their advantage."

Here's another basketball term applicable to the game: rebound. After playing poorly in the first half of a 26-20 loss to North Dakota last week, the Thunderbirds must rebound against the Coyotes.

If they don't, a once-promising season could start spiraling into mediocrity.

The North Dakota loss dropped SUU to 3-2 overall and 0-1 in the Great West Conference, leaving the Thunderbirds with perilously little wiggle room if they want to stay in the league race or reach the Football Championship Subdivision playoffs.

Lamb believes his team took North Dakota lightly, one week after it dominated UNLV during a 41-10 win.

That won't happen against South Dakota, which perceives itself as a Great West contender and hopes to avenge a 31-13 loss in Cedar City last year.

"They play hard," said Lamb, who knows playing in the enclosed confines of the DakotaDome adds to the challenge of a visiting team.

"It's very loud," he said. "We must be prepared to communicate and stay focused in a noisy environment."

South Dakota has beaten Eastern Washington (30-17), Northwestern Oklahoma (48-10) and Lindenwood (30-0).

The Coyotes have lost to Football Bowl Subdivision opponents Air Force (37-20) and fourth-ranked Wisconsin (59-10).

Senior quarterback Dante Warren left last week's win over Division II Lindenwood because of a badly bruised right hand.

Warren is questionable for the SUU game. If he can't play, redshirt freshman Josh Vander Maten will start. —

Southern Utah at South Dakota

P At the Dakota­Dome, Vermillion, S.D.

Kickoff • 3 p.m. MDT

TV • KMYU (Digital 2.2 and 12.1, Dish 12, Bresnan 18, Baja 20, Comcast 22)

Radio • 590 AM, 91.1 FM

Records • Southern Utah 3-2, 0-1; South Dakota 3-2, 0-0

Series • South Dakota, 2-1

Last meeting • Southern Utah, 31-13 (2010)