The South Dakota Coyotes football program is the intercollegiate American football team for the University of South Dakota located in the U.S. state of South Dakota. The team competes in the NCAA Division I Football Championship Subdivision (FCS) and are members of the Missouri Valley Football Conference. South Dakota's first football team was fielded in 1889. The team plays its home games at the 9,100 seat DakotaDome in Vermillion, South Dakota.
South Dakota Coyotes football | |||
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First season | 1889 | ||
Athletic director | David Herbster | ||
Head coach | Bob Nielson 8th season, 42–45 (.483) | ||
Stadium | DakotaDome (capacity: 9,100) | ||
Location | Vermillion, South Dakota | ||
NCAA division | Division I FCS | ||
Conference | Missouri Valley Football Conference | ||
All-time record | 524–500–36 (.511) | ||
Playoff appearances | 3 (2017, 2021, 2023) | ||
Playoff record | 2–3 | ||
Rivalries | North Dakota State South Dakota State North Dakota | ||
Colors | Red and white[1] | ||
Fight song | Hail, South Dakota! | ||
Mascot | Charlie Coyote | ||
Marching band | The Sound of USD | ||
Website | goyotes.com |
The Coyotes appeared in the Division II playoffs four times. Their record was 4–4.
Year | Round | Opponent | Result |
---|---|---|---|
1973 | Quarterfinals | Boise State | L, 10–53 |
1985 | Quarterfinals Semifinals |
Central State (OH) North Dakota State |
W, 13–10 2OT L, 7–16 |
1986 | Quarterfinals Semifinals National Championship |
UC Davis Troy State North Dakota State |
W, 26–23 W, 42–28 L, 7–27 |
2006 | First Round Second Round |
Northwood Grand Valley State |
W, 31–28 L, 17–35 |
The Coyotes have appeared in the FCS playoffs three times, with a combined record of 2–2.
Year | Round | Opponent | Result |
---|---|---|---|
2017 | First Round Second Round |
Nicholls State Sam Houston State |
W 38–31 L 42–54 |
2021 | First Round | Southern Illinois | L 10–22 |
2023 | Second Round Quarterfinals |
Sacramento State North Dakota State |
W 34–24 L 17–45 |
Opponent | Win % | Wins | Losses | Ties | Last meeting |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Illinois State | .167 | 1 | 5 | – | Won 27–24 on 10/22/16 |
Indiana State | .667 | 2 | 1 | – | Won 33–30 on 10/15/2016 |
Missouri State | .500 | 2 | 2 | – | Won 40–10 on 10/24/2015 |
North Dakota State | .335 | 26 | 53 | 3 | Lost 21–28 on 11/19/2016 |
Northern Iowa | .415 | 19 | 27 | 1 | Won 28–25 on 10/8/2016 |
South Dakota State | .496 | 52 | 53 | 7 | Lost 28–3 |
Southern Illinois | .333 | 1 | 2 | – | Lost 28–35 11/5/2016 |
Western Illinois | .286 | 2 | 5 | – | Lost 34–35 10/29/2016 |
Youngstown State | .000 | 0 | 5 | – | Lost 20–30 on 10/1/2016 |
Notable alumni include:
Announced schedules as of July 29, 2023.[3]
2023 | 2024 | 2025 | 2027 | 2028 | 2030 |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
at Missouri | at Wisconsin | at Iowa State | McNeese | at McNeese | at Iowa State |
St. Thomas | at Lamar | ||||
Lamar | Drake |