2025 South Dakota Coyotes football team

2025 South Dakota Coyotes football
ConferenceMissouri Valley Football Conference
Ranking
STATSNo. 12
FCS CoachesNo. 20
Record10–5 (6–2 MVFC)
Head coach
Offensive coordinatorTim Morrison (1st season)
Co-offensive coordinatorMatt Vitzthum (1st season)
Defensive coordinatorBilly Kirch (1st season)
Home stadiumDakotaDome
2025 Missouri Valley Football Conference standings
Conf. Overall
Team   W   L     W   L  
No. 1 North Dakota State $^   8 – 0     12 – 1  
No. 12 South Dakota ^   6 – 2     10 – 5  
No. 17т Illinois State ^   5 – 3     12 – 4  
No. 19 North Dakota ^   5 – 3     8 – 6  
No. 14 Youngstown State ^   5 – 3     8 – 5  
No. 16 South Dakota State ^   4 – 4     9 – 5  
No. 23 Southern Illinois   4 – 4     7 – 5  
Northern Iowa   1 – 7     3 – 9  
Murray State   1 – 7     1 – 11  
Indiana State   1 – 7     3 – 9  
  • $ – Conference champion
  • ^ – FCS playoff participant
As of December 24, 2025
Rankings from STATS Poll

The 2025 South Dakota Coyotes football team represented the University of South Dakota as a member of the Missouri Valley Football Conference (MVFC) during the 2025 NCAA Division I FCS football season. The Coyotes were led by first-year head coach Travis Johansen,[1] who replaces former coach Bob Nielson who retired after the 2024 season.[2] Johansen was promoted from being the Coyotes defensive coordinator last season, and was assisted by first year offensive coordinator Tim Morrison and first year defensive coordinator Billy Kirch. Morrison was also promoted within the program, as he was the Coyotes tight ends coach in 2024. Kirch joined the program after coaching at NAIA Northwestern University in Iowa for ten seasons.

Preseason

MVFC poll

Main article: 2025 Missouri Valley Football Conference season § Preseason

The Missouri Valley Football Conference released its preseason poll on July 21, 2025, voted on by league athletic directors, coaches, and media members. The Coyotes were predicted to finish third in the conference.[3]

Schedule

DateTimeOpponentRankSiteTVResultAttendance
August 302:30 p.m.at No. 22 (FBS) Iowa State*No. 4
FOXL 7–5561,500
September 66:00 p.m.at Lamar*No. 4
ESPN+L 13–206,043
September 131:00 p.m.Northern Colorado*No. 12
Midco Sports/ESPN+W 24–17 OT6,445
September 201:00 p.m.Drake*No. 15
  • DakotaDome
  • Vermillion, SD
Midco Sports/ESPN+W 42–217,441
September 271:00 p.m.at No. 1 North Dakota StateNo. 17
Midco Sports/ESPN+L 13–5118,498
October 42:00 p.m.Murray StateNo. 21
  • DakotaDome
  • Vermillion, SD
Midco Sports/ESPN+W 49–247,953
October 1112:00 p.m.at Indiana StateNo. 23
ESPN+W 19–145,373
October 181:00 p.m.at Northern IowaNo. 22
ESPN+W 17–148,434
October 251:00 p.m.No. 18 Illinois StateNo. 21
  • DakotaDome
  • Vermillion, SD
Midco Sports/ESPN+L 13–216,333
November 11:00 p.m.No. 8 North Dakota
Midco Sports/ESPN+W 26–216,809
November 83:00 p.m.No. 8 South Dakota StateNo. 22
ESPNUW 24–179,159
November 1512:00 p.m.at No. 21 Southern IllinoisNo. 17
ESPN+W 53–51 5OT5,622
November 2912:00 p.m.Drake*No. 12
ESPN+W 38–173,964
December 611:00 p.m.No. 7 Mercer*No. 12
ESPN+W 47–03,042
December 132:30 p.m.at No. 3 Montana*No. 12
ABCL 22–5222,725

[4][5]

Game summaries

All times are Central time

at No. 22 (FBS) Iowa State

See also: 2025 Iowa State Cyclones football team
No. 4 South Dakota Coyotes (0–0) at No. 22 (FBS) Iowa State Cyclones (1–0) – Game summary
Quarter 1 2 34Total
No. 4 Coyotes 7 0 007
No. 22 (FBS) Cyclones 14 13 141455

at Jack Trice Stadium • Ames, Iowa

  • Date: August 30
  • Game time: 2:30 p.m.
  • Game weather: Sunny, 78 °F (26 °C), E 8 MPH
  • Game attendance: 61,500
  • Referee: Henry Johns
  • TV announcers (FOX): Tim Brando (play-by-play), Devin Gardner (analyst), and Josh Sims (sideline)
Game information
First quarter
  • ISU – Benjamin Brahmer 4-yard pass from Rocco Becht (Kyle Konrardy kick), 13:10. Cyclones 7–0. Drive: 4 plays, 75 yards, 1:50.
  • SDAK – Larenzo Fenner 6-yard pass from Aidan Bouman (Will Leyland kick), 5:44. Tied 7–7. Drive: 12 plays, 75 yards, 7:26.
  • ISU – Abu Sama III 15-yard run (Kyle Konrardy kick), 1:12. Cyclones 14–7. Drive: 9 plays, 75 yards, 4:32.
Second quarter
  • ISU – Benjamin Brahmer 3-yard pass from Rocco Becht (Kyle Konrardy kick), 9:27. Cyclones 21–7. Drive: 7 plays, 76 yards, 3:55.
  • ISU – Kyle Konrardy 28-yard field goal, 2:35. Cyclones 24–7. Drive: 11 plays, 52 yards, 5:16.
  • ISU – Kyle Konrardy 63-yard field goal, 0:00. Cyclones 27–7. Drive: 4 plays, 24 yards, 0:27.
Third quarter
  • ISU – Gabe Burkle 16-yard pass from Rocco Becht (Kyle Konrardy kick), 9:39. Cyclones 34–7. Drive: 4 plays, 33 yards, 2:00.
  • ISU – Xavier Townsend 11-yard run (Chase Smith kick), 8:17. Cyclones 41–7. Drive: 2 plays, 24 yards, 0:47.
Fourth quarter
  • ISU – Alex Manske 4-yard run (Chase Smith kick), 10:57. Cyclones 48–7. Drive: 15 plays, 64 yards, 8:45.
  • ISU – Dylan Lee 8-yard run (Chase Smith kick), 4:22. Cyclones 55–7. Drive: 8 plays, 85 yards, 4:54.
Statistics SDAK ISU
First downs 11 28
Plays–yards 50–208 67–529
Rushes–yards 21–82 42–223
Passing yards 126 306
Passing: comp–att–int 15–29–2 23–25–0
Turnovers 2 0
Time of possession 24:42 35:18
Team Category Player Statistics
South Dakota Passing Aidan Bouman 15/29, 126 yards, TD, 2 INT
Rushing Charles Pierre Jr. 13 carries, 49 yards
Receiving Charles Pierre Jr. 4 receptions, 37 yards
Iowa State Passing Rocco Becht 19/20, 278 yards, 3 TD
Rushing Dylan Lee 13 carries, 81 yards, TD
Receiving Gabe Burkle 4 receptions, 85 yards, TD

at Lamar

See also: 2025 Lamar Cardinals football team
No. 4 South Dakota Coyotes (0–1) at Lamar Cardinals (0–1) – Game summary
Quarter 1 2 34Total
No. 4 Coyotes - - --0
Cardinals - - --0

at Provost Umphrey Stadium, Beaumont, TX

  • Date: September 6
  • Game time: 6:00 PM
  • TV announcers (ESPN+): Dan Gresham (play-by-play) and LeMont Williams (analyst)
Statistics SDAK LAM
First downs
Total yards
Rushing yards
Passing yards
Passing: Comp–Att–Int
Time of possession
Team Category Player Statistics
South Dakota Passing
Rushing
Receiving
Lamar Passing
Rushing
Receiving

Northern Colorado

See also: 2025 Northern Colorado Bears football team
Northern Colorado Bears (1–1) vs. No. 12 South Dakota Coyotes (0–2) – Game summary
Quarter 1 2 34Total
Bears - - --0
No. 12 Coyotes - - --0

at DakotaDome, Vermillion, SD

  • Date: September 13
  • Game time: 1:00 PM
  • Game weather: Indoors; 70 °F (21 °C)
  • TV announcers (ESPN+): Jay Elsen (play-by-play) and Andre Fields (analyst)
Statistics UNCO SDAK
First downs
Total yards
Rushing yards
Passing yards
Passing: Comp–Att–Int
Time of possession
Team Category Player Statistics
Northern Colorado Passing
Rushing
Receiving
South Dakota Passing
Rushing
Receiving

Drake

See also: 2025 Drake Bulldogs football team
Drake Bulldogs (1–1) vs. No. 15 South Dakota Coyotes (1–2) – Game summary
Quarter 1 2 34Total
Bulldogs - - --0
No. 15 Coyotes - - --0

at DakotaDome, Vermillion, SD

  • Date: September 20
  • Game time: 1:00 PM
  • Game weather: Indoors; 70 °F (21 °C)
  • TV announcers (ESPN+): Jay Elsen (play-by-play) and Andre Fields (analyst)
Statistics DRKE SDAK
First downs
Total yards
Rushing yards
Passing yards
Passing: Comp–Att–Int
Time of possession
Team Category Player Statistics
Drake Passing
Rushing
Receiving
South Dakota Passing
Rushing
Receiving

at No. 1 North Dakota State

See also: 2025 North Dakota State Bison football team
No. 17 South Dakota Coyotes (2–2) vs. No. 1 North Dakota State Bison (3–0) – Game summary
Quarter 1 2 34Total
No. 17 Coyotes 0 3 01013
No. 1 Bison 13 21 10751

at Fargodome, Fargo, ND

  • Date: September 27
  • Game time: 1:00 PM
  • Game weather: Indoors; 70 °F (21 °C)
  • Game attendance: 18,498
  • Referee: Grant Henderson
  • TV announcers (ESPN+): Dom Izzo (play-by-play), Kyle Emanuel (analyst) and Sam Goetzinger (sideline)
Game information
First Quarter
  • (10:49) NDSU – Barika Kpeenu 7-yard run, Eli Ozick kick (Drive: 8 plays, 77 yards, 4:06; North Dakota State 7–0)
  • (2:17) NDSU – Cole Payton 1-yard run (Drive: 12 plays, 90 yards, 6:16; North Dakota State 13–0)
Second Quarter
  • (13:44) NDSU – Barika Kpeenu 6-yard run, Eli Ozick kick (Drive: 6 plays, 46 yards, 2:44; North Dakota State 20–0)
  • (5:38) NDSU – Bryce Lance 2-yard pass from Cole Payton, Eli Ozick kick (Drive: 11 plays, 95 yards, 5:49; North Dakota State 27–0)
  • (0:53) NDSU – Reis Kessel 29-yard pass from Cole Payton, Eli Ozick kick (Drive: 9 plays, 83 yards, 1:54; North Dakota State 34–0)
  • (0:00) USD – Will Leyland 31-yard field goal (Drive: 6 plays, 62 yards, 0:53; North Dakota State 34–3)
Third Quarter
  • (12:43) NDSU – Nathaniel Staehling 43-yard interception, Eli Ozick kick (North Dakota State 41–3)
  • (7:39) NDSU – Eli Ozick 29-yard field goal (Drive: 8 plays, 49 yards, 3:58; North Dakota State 44–3)
Fourth Quarter
  • (12:23) NDSU – Jackson Williams 9-yard run, Eli Ozick kick (Drive: 11 plays, 88 yards, 6:32; North Dakota State 51–3)
  • (8:06) USD – Zeke Mata 51-yard field goal (Drive: 8 plays, 42 yards, 4:17; North Dakota State 51–6)
  • (1:11) USD – Carson Fletcher 4-yard run, Will Leyland kick (Drive: 8 plays, 80 yards, 4:23; North Dakota State 51–13)
Statistics SDAK NDSU
First downs 13 24
Total yards 296 547
Rushing yards 88 274
Passing yards 208 273
Passing: Comp–Att–Int 13–21–1 15–19–0
Time of possession 24:53 35:07
Team Category Player Statistics
South Dakota Passing Aidan Bouman 13/21, 208 yards, INT
Rushing Reid Watkins 8 carries, 39 yards
Receiving Tennel Bryant 2 receptions, 50 yards
North Dakota State Passing Cole Payton 14/18, 273 yards, 2 TD
Rushing Cole Payton 11 carries, 102 yards, TD
Receiving Bryce Lance 4 receptions, 98 yards, TD

Murray State

See also: 2025 Murray State Racers football team
Murray State Racers (0–4) vs. No. 21 South Dakota Coyotes (2–3) – Game summary
Quarter 1 2 34Total
Racers 7 0 10724
No. 21 Coyotes 14 21 14049

at DakotaDome, Vermillion, SD

  • Date: October 4
  • Game time: 2:00 PM
  • Game weather: Indoors; 70 °F (21 °C)
  • TV announcers (ESPN+): Jay Elsen (play-by-play) and Andre Fields (analyst)
Statistics MUR SDAK
First downs
Total yards
Rushing yards
Passing yards
Passing: Comp–Att–Int
Time of possession
Team Category Player Statistics
Murray State Passing
Rushing
Receiving
South Dakota Passing
Rushing
Receiving

at Indiana State

See also: 2025 Indiana State Sycamores football team
No. 23 South Dakota Coyotes (3–3) vs. Indiana State Sycamores (2–3) – Game summary
Quarter 1 2 34Total
No. 23 Coyotes - - --0
Sycamores - - --0

at Memorial Stadium, Terre Haute, IN

  • Date: October 11
  • Game time: 12:00 PM
  • TV announcers (ESPN+): Brendan King (play-by-play) and Austin Osborne (analyst)
Statistics SDAK INST
First downs
Total yards
Rushing yards
Passing yards
Passing: Comp–Att–Int
Time of possession
Team Category Player Statistics
South Dakota Passing
Rushing
Receiving
Indiana State Passing
Rushing
Receiving

at Northern Iowa

See also: 2025 Northern Iowa Panthers football team
No. 22 South Dakota Coyotes (4–3) vs. Northern Iowa Panthers (2–4) – Game summary
Quarter 1 2 34Total
No. 22 Coyotes - - --0
Panthers - - --0

at UNI-Dome, Cedar Falls, IA

  • Date: October 18
  • Game time: 1:00 PM
  • Game weather: Indoors; 70 °F (21 °C)
  • TV announcers (ESPN+): Brad Wells (play-by-play) and Justin Surrency (analyst)
Statistics SDAK UNI
First downs
Total yards
Rushing yards
Passing yards
Passing: Comp–Att–Int
Time of possession
Team Category Player Statistics
South Dakota Passing
Rushing
Receiving
Northern Iowa Passing
Rushing
Receiving

No. 18 Illinois State

See also: 2025 Illinois State Redbirds football team
No. 18 Illinois State Redbirds (4–3) vs. No. 21 South Dakota Coyotes (5–3) – Game summary
Quarter 1 2 34Total
No. 18 Redbirds - - --0
No. 21 Coyotes - - --0

at DakotaDome, Vermillion, SD

  • Date: October 25
  • Game time: 1:00 PM
  • Game weather: Indoors; 70 °F (21 °C)
  • TV: ESPN+
Statistics ILST SDAK
First downs
Total yards
Rushing yards
Passing yards
Passing: Comp–Att–Int
Time of possession
Team Category Player Statistics
Illinois State Passing
Rushing
Receiving
South Dakota Passing
Rushing
Receiving

No. 8 North Dakota

See also: 2025 North Dakota Fighting Hawks football team and Sitting Bull Trophy
No. 8 North Dakota Fighting Hawks (6–2) vs. South Dakota Coyotes (5–4) – Game summary
Quarter 1 2 34Total
No. 8 Fighting Hawks - - --0
Coyotes - - --0

at DakotaDome, Vermillion, SD

  • Date: November 1
  • Game time: 1:00 PM
  • Game weather: Indoors; 70 °F (21 °C)
  • TV: ESPN+
Statistics UND SDAK
First downs
Total yards
Rushing yards
Passing yards
Passing: Comp–Att–Int
Time of possession
Team Category Player Statistics
North Dakota Passing
Rushing
Receiving
South Dakota Passing
Rushing
Receiving

No. 8 South Dakota State

See also: 2025 South Dakota State Jackrabbits football team and South Dakota–South Dakota State football rivalry
No. 8 South Dakota State Jackrabbits (7–2) vs. No. 22 South Dakota Coyotes (6–4) – Game summary
Quarter 1 2 34Total
No. 8 Jackrabbits - - --0
No. 22 Coyotes - - --0

at DakotaDome, Vermillion, SD

  • Date: November 8
  • Game time: 3:00 p.m. CST
  • Game weather: Indoors; 70 °F (21 °C)
  • TV announcers (ESPNU): Chuckie Kempf (play-by-play) and Darius Walker (analyst)
Statistics SDST SDAK
First downs
Total yards
Rushing yards
Passing yards
Passing: Comp–Att–Int
Time of possession
Team Category Player Statistics
South Dakota State Passing
Rushing
Receiving
South Dakota Passing
Rushing
Receiving

at No. 21 Southern Illinois

See also: 2025 Southern Illinois Salukis football team
No. 17 South Dakota Coyotes (7–4) vs. No. 21 Southern Illinois Salukis (6–4) – Game summary
Quarter 1 2 34Total
No. 17 Coyotes - - --0
No. 21 Salukis - - --0

at Saluki Stadium, Carbondale, IL

  • Date: November 15
  • Game time: 12:00 PM
  • TV: ESPN+
Statistics SDAK SIU
First downs
Total yards
Rushing yards
Passing yards
Passing: Comp–Att–Int
Time of possession
Team Category Player Statistics
South Dakota Passing
Rushing
Receiving
Southern Illinois Passing
Rushing
Receiving

Ranking movements

Ranking movements
Legend: ██ Increase in ranking ██ Decrease in ranking
RV = Received votes ( ) = First-place votes
Week
PollPre12345678910111213Final
STATS FCS4 (1)412151721232221RV22171612
Coaches56202118RVRVRVRVRV25222120

References

  1. ^ "Travis Johansen named head coach of South Dakota football". goyotes.com. South Dakota Coyotes. January 16, 2025. Retrieved March 20, 2025.
  2. ^ "Head football coach Bob Nielson steps down". goyotes.com. South Dakota Coyotes. January 16, 2025. Retrieved March 20, 2025.
  3. ^ "Missouri Valley Football Announces predicted order of finish". valley-football.org. Missouri Valley Football Conference. July 21, 2025. Retrieved July 22, 2025.
  4. ^ "2025 Football Schedule". goyotes.com. South Dakota Coyotes. Retrieved March 20, 2025.
  5. ^ "2025 South Dakota Football Schedule". fbschedules.com. FBSchedules. Retrieved March 20, 2025.
This article is issued from Wikipedia. The text is available under Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 4.0 unless otherwise noted. Additional terms may apply for the media files.