2024 South Dakota Coyotes football team

Last updated

2024 South Dakota Coyotes football
South Dakota Coyotes wordmark.svg
MVFC co-champion
Conference Missouri Valley Football Conference
Ranking
STATSNo. 4
FCS CoachesNo. 4
Record11–3 (7–1 MVFC)
Head coach
Offensive coordinatorJosh Davis (2nd season)
Offensive scheme Pistol
Defensive coordinator Travis Johansen (6th season)
Base defenseMultiple
Home stadium DakotaDome
Seasons
  2023
2025  
2024 Missouri Valley Football Conference standings
Conf.Overall
Team W L  W L 
No. 1 North Dakota State +^  7 1   14 2  
No. 3 South Dakota State +^  7 1   12 3  
No. 4 South Dakota +^  7 1   11 3  
No. 11 Illinois State ^  6 2   10 4  
Missouri State *  6 2   8 4  
Youngstown State  3 5   4 8  
Indiana State  3 5   4 8  
North Dakota  2 6   5 7  
Southern Illinois  2 6   4 8  
Northern Iowa  1 7   3 9  
Murray State  0 8   1 11  
  • + Conference co-champions
  • ^ FCS playoff participant
  • * – Ineligible for 2024 FCS playoffs due to transition to the FBS
Rankings from STATS Poll

The 2024 South Dakota Coyotes football team represented the University of South Dakota as a member of the Missouri Valley Football Conference (MVFC) during the 2024 NCAA Division I FCS football season. The Coyotes were led by ninth-year head coach Bob Nielson and played their home games at the DakotaDome in Vermillion, South Dakota.

Contents

Preseason

MVFC poll

The MVFC released it preseason prediction poll on July 22, 2024. The Coyotes were predicted to finish third in the conference. [1]

MVFC media poll
Predicted finishTeamVotes (1st place)
1South Dakota State482 (42)
2North Dakota State437 (1)
3South Dakota371
4Southern Illinois293
5North Dakota276
6Illinois State264
7Youngtown State255
8Northern Iowa227
9Missouri State164 (1)
10Indiana State68
11Murray State67

Schedule

DateTimeOpponentRankSiteTVResultAttendanceSource
August 297:00 p.m. Northern State *No. 5 ESPN+ W 45–37,435
September 72:30 p.m.at Wisconsin *No. 6 FS1 L 13–2776,069
September 143:00 p.m.at Portland State *No. 6ESPN+Canceled [2]
September 211:00 p.m. Drake *No. 6
  • DakotaDome
  • Vermillion, SD
ESPN+W 42–36,529
September 281:00 p.m.No. 17 Southern Illinois No. 5
  • DakotaDome
  • Vermillion, SD
ESPN+W 42–136,706
October 52:00 p.m.at Murray State No. 4ESPN+W 59–06,437
October 122:00 p.m. Northern Iowa No. 4
  • DakotaDome
  • Vermillion, SD
ESPN+W 42–178,934
October 195:00 p.m.at Youngstown State No. 4ESPN+W 27–178,560
October 266:30 p.m.at No. 3 South Dakota State No. 4 ESPNU L 17–20 OT19,351
November 91:00 p.m. Indiana State No. 5
  • DakotaDome
  • Vermillion, SD
ESPN+W 49–05,515
November 1612:00 p.m.at North Dakota No. 5ESPN+W 42–368,974
November 231:00 p.m.No. 1 North Dakota State No. 4
  • DakotaDome
  • Vermillion, SD
ESPN+W 29–289,062
December 72:00 p.m.No. 14 Tarleton State *No. 4
ESPN+W 42–316,231
December 142:00 p.m.No. 5 UC Davis *No. 4
ESPN+W 35–216,135
December 212:30 p.m.at No. 1 Montana State *No. 4 ABC L 17–3120,557

[3]

Game summaries

Northern State (DII)

Game One – Northern State Wolves (DII) (0–0) vs South Dakota Coyotes (0–0) – Game summary
Quarter1234Total
Wolves (DII)30003
No. 5 Coyotes10217745

at DakotaDomeVermillion, SD

  • Date: Thursday August 29, 2024
  • Game time: 7:00 p.m. CST
  • Game weather: None (played indoors)
  • TV: ESPN+
Game information
First quarter
Second quarter
Third quarter
Fourth quarter
StatisticsNORSTSDAK
First downs1120
Total yards207351
Rushing yards147266
Passing yards6085
Passing: Comp–Att–Int8-13-29-13-0
Time of possession31:5528:05
TeamCategoryPlayerStatistics
Northern StatePassingDaniel Britt8-11 60 Yards 1 INT
RushingHank Craft11 Carries 68 Yards
ReceivingTanner Branson2 Catches 25 Yards
South DakotaPassingAidan Bouman9-12 85 Yards
RushingCharles Pierre Jr13 Carries 136 Yards 2 TD
ReceivingCarter Bell3 Catches 32 Yards

at Wisconsin (FBS)

Game Two – No. 6 South Dakota Coyotes (1–0) at Wisconsin Badgers (FBS) (1–0) – Game summary
Quarter1234Total
No. 6 Coyotes0310013
Badgers (FBS)1433727

at Camp Randall StadiumMadison, WI

  • Date: Saturday September 7, 2024
  • Game time: 2:30 PM CST
  • Game weather: Sunny, 62 °F (17 °C); Wind: N 9 mph
  • Game attendance: 76,069
  • Referee: David Siegle
  • TV announcers (FS1): Eric Collins (play-by-play) and Spencer Tillman (analyst)
Game information
First quarter
  • WIS – Chez Mellusi 9-yard run (Nathanial Vakos kick), 12:03 Wisconsin 7–0Drive: 7 plays, 75 yards, 2:52.
  • WIS – CJ Williams 50-yard pass from Tyler Van Dyke (Nathanial Vakos kick), 4:48 Wisconsin 14–0Drive: 3 plays, 58 yards, 1:23.
Second quarter
  • SD – Will Leyland 25-yard field goal, 7:14. Wisconsin 14–3.Drive: 11 plays, 57 yards, 5:48.
  • WIS – Nathanial Vakos 24-yard field goal, 0:07. Wisconsin 17–3.Drive: 13 plays, 68 yards, 6:56.
Third quarter
  • SD – Keyondray Jones-Logan 35-yard run (Will Leyland kick), 12:38 Wisconsin 17–10Drive: 4 plays, 75 yards, 2:22.
  • SD – Will Leyland 32-yard field goal, 5:06. Wisconsin 17–13.Drive: 5 plays, -7 yards, 1:44.
  • WIS – Nathanial Vakos 50-yard field goal, 2:21. Wisconsin 20–13.Drive: 7 plays, 49 yards, 2:34.
Fourth quarter
  • WIS – Chez Mellusi 1-yard run (Nathanial Vakos kick), 7:41 Wisconsin 27–13Drive: 11 plays, 85 yards, 4:51.
StatisticsSDAKWIS
First downs1323
Total yards237385
Rushing yards123171
Passing yards114214
Passing: Comp–Att–Int12–23–017–27–0
Time of possession27:3132:29
TeamCategoryPlayerStatistics
South DakotaPassingAidan Bouman12/23, 114 yards
RushingCharles Pierre Jr.12 carries, 83 yards
ReceivingTravis Theis4 receptions, 43 yards
WisconsinPassing Tyler Van Dyke 17/27, 214 yards, TD
RushingChez Mellusi16 carries, 60 yards, 2 TD
ReceivingCJ Williams2 receptions, 53 yards, TD

at Portland State

Game Three – No. 6 South Dakota Coyotes (1–1) at Portland State Vikings (0–2) – Game summary
Quarter1234Total
No. 6 Coyotes00000
Vikings00000

at Hillsboro StadiumHillsboro, OR

  • Date: Saturday September 14, 2024
  • Game time: 3:00 PM CST
  • Game weather: 0 °F (−18 °C)
  • TV announcers (ESPN+): TBD
Game information
First quarter
Second quarter
Third quarter
Fourth quarter
StatisticsSDAKPRST
First downs
Total yards
Rushing yards
Passing yards
Passing: Comp–Att–Int
Time of possession
TeamCategoryPlayerStatistics
South DakotaPassing
Rushing
Receiving
Portland StatePassing
Rushing
Receiving

Drake

Game Four – Drake Bulldogs (1–0) at No. 6 South Dakota Coyotes (1–1) – Game summary
Quarter1234Total
Bulldogs03003
No. 6 Coyotes14147742

at DakotaDomeVermillion, SD

  • Date: Saturday September 21, 2024
  • Game time: 1:00 PM CST
  • Game weather: None (played indoors)
  • Game attendance: 6,529
  • Referee: Jason Perkins
  • TV announcers (ESPN+): Jay Elsen (play-by-play) and Andre Fields (analyst)
Game information
First quarter
  • 14:47 USD – Keyondray Jones-Logan 99-yard kickoff return (Will Leyland kick) (USD 7–0)
  • 3:51 USD – Travis Theis 25-yard run (Will Leyland kick) (Drive: 5 plays, 58 yards, 2:39; USD 14–0)
Second quarter
  • 12:17 Drake – Shane Dunning 23-yard field goal (Drive: 6 plays, 62 yards, 1:05; USD 14–3)
  • 8:44 USD – Carter Bell 6-yard run (Will Leyland kick) (Drive: 7 plays, 71 yards, 3:33; USD 21–3)
  • 3:14 USD – Charles Pierre, Jr. 1-yard run (Will Leyland kick) (Drive: 7 plays, 46 yards, 3:53; USD 28–3)
Third quarter
  • 3:14 USD – Travis Theis Jr. 4-yard run (Will Leyland kick) (Drive: 6 plays, 52 yards, 3:01; USD 35–3)
Fourth quarter
  • 3:14 USD – Charles Pierre, Jr. 20-yard pass from Aidan Bouman (Will Leyland kick) (Drive: 9 plays, 80 yards, 5:01; USD 42–3)
StatisticsDRKESDAK
First downs1825
Total yards211411
Rushing yards93192
Passing yards118219
Passing: Comp–Att–Int18–33–118–26–1
Time of possession32:1727:43
TeamCategoryPlayerStatistics
DrakePassingLuke Bailey16/29, 107 yards, INT
RushingDorian Boyland8 carries, 51 yards
ReceivingTrey Radocha7 receptions, 56 yards
South DakotaPassingAidan Bouman18/24, 219 yards, TD
RushingTravis Theis9 carries, 94 yards, 2 TD
ReceivingCarter Bell4 receptions, 56 yards

No. 17 Southern Illinois

Game Five – No. 17 Southern Illinois Salukis (2–2) vs No. 5 South Dakota Coyotes (2–1) – Game summary
Quarter1234Total
No. 17 Salukis076013
No. 5 Coyotes14210742

at DakotaDomeVermillion, SD

  • Date: September 28, 2024
  • Game time: 1:00 p.m. CST
  • Game weather: None (played indoors)
  • Game attendance: 6,706
  • TV: ESPN+
Game information
First quarter
Second quarter
Third quarter
Fourth quarter
StatisticsSIUSDAK
First downs1624
Total yards366549
Rushing yards60302
Passing yards306247
Passing: Comp–Att–Int23-4111-17
Time of possession24:4135:19
TeamCategoryPlayerStatistics
Southern IllinoisPassingHunter Simmons23-41 306 Yards 2 TD
RushingShaun Lester Jr10 Carries 31 Yards
ReceivingKeontez Lewis3 Catches 88 Yards 1 TD
South DakotaPassingAidan Bouman11-17 245 Yards 2 TD
RushingTravis Theis25 carries 147 Yards 2 TD
ReceivingJJ Galbreath2 Catches 100 Yards 1 TD

at Murray State

Game Six – No. 4 South Dakota Coyotes (3–1) vs Murray State Racers (1–3) – Game summary
Quarter1234Total
No. 4 Coyotes213211459
Racers00000

at Roy Stewart StadiumMurray, KY

  • Date: Saturday October 5, 2024
  • Game time: 2:00 p.m.
  • Game weather: 0 °F (−18 °C)
  • Game attendance: 6.437
  • TV: ESPN+
Game information
First quarter
Second quarter
Third quarter
Fourth quarter
StatisticsSDAKMURR
First downs2610
Total yards582213
Rushing yards36190
Passing yards221123
Passing: Comp–Att–Int16-22-113-21-2
Time of possession36:2023:40
TeamCategoryPlayerStatistics
South DakotaPassingAidan Bouman16-22 221 Yards 1 TD 1 INT
RushingTravis Theis14 Carries 132 Yards 2 TD
ReceivingQuaron Adams3 Receptions 83 Yards
Murray StatePassingJayden Johannsen7-13 84 yards 2 INT
RushingJawaun Northington11 Carries 46 Yards
ReceivingJK Carter3 Receptions 54 Yards

Northern Iowa

Game Seven – Northern Iowa Panthers (2–3) vs No. 4 South Dakota Coyotes (4–1) – Game summary
Quarter1234Total
Panthers737017
No. 4 Coyotes72114042

at DakotaDomeVermillion, SD

  • Date: Saturday October 12, 2024
  • Game time: 2:00 p.m.
  • Game weather: None (played indoors)
  • TV: ESPN+
Game information
First quarter
Second quarter
Third quarter
Fourth quarter
StatisticsUNISDAK
First downs1624
Total yards311513
Rushing yards56192
Passing yards255321
Passing: Comp–Att–Int19-28-118-21-0
Time of possession24:3135:29
TeamCategoryPlayerStatistics
Northern IowaPassingMatthew Schecklman18-26 250 yards 1 TD 1 INT
RushingTye Edwards19 carries 53 yards 1 TD
ReceivingDesmond Hutson4 Receptions 94 Yards
South DakotaPassingAidan Bouman17-20 284 Yards 2 TD
RushingCharles Pierre Jr21 Carries 105 Yards 2 TD
ReceivingAJ Coons2 Receptions 61 Yards 1 TD

at Youngstown State

Game Eight – No. 4 South Dakota Coyotes (5–1) at Youngstown State Penguins (2–5) – Game summary
Quarter1234Total
No. 4 Coyotes01410327
Penguins7100017

at Stambaugh Stadium, Youngstown, OH

  • Date: Saturday October 19, 2024
  • Game time: 5:00 p.m.
  • TV announcers (ESPN+): TBD
Game information
First quarter
Second quarter
Third quarter
Fourth quarter
StatisticsSDAKYSU
First downs1922
Total yards415346
Rushing yards192138
Passing yards223208
Passing: Comp–Att–Int12-18-022-32-0
Time of possession26:0133:59
TeamCategoryPlayerStatistics
South DakotaPassingAidan Bouman12-18 223 Yards 1 TD
RushingCharles Pierre Jr21 Carries 153 Yards 2 TD
ReceivingJJ Galbreath3 Receptions 79 Yards
Youngstown StatePassingBeau Brungard22-31 208 Yards 1 TD
RushingBeau Brungard16 Carries 69 Yards 1 TD
ReceivingMax Tomczak9 Receptions 90 Yards

at No. 3 South Dakota State (rivalry)

Game Nine – No. 4 South Dakota Coyotes (6–1) at No. 3 South Dakota State Jackrabbits (5–2) – Game summary
Quarter1234OTTotal
No. 4 Coyotes7007317
No. 3 Jackrabbits7700620

at Dana J. Dykhouse Stadium, Brookings, SD

Game information
First quarter
Second quarter
Third quarter
Fourth quarter
StatisticsSDAKSDST
First downs1819
Total yards275329
Rushing yards82166
Passing yards193163
Passing: Comp–Att–Int21-35-121-29-0
Time of possession28:2231:38
TeamCategoryPlayerStatistics
South DakotaPassingAidan Bouman20-32 163 Yards
RushingTravis Theis15 Carries 78 Yards 1 TD
ReceivingJack Martens3 Receptions 66 Yards
South Dakota StatePassingMark Gronowski20-27 163 Yards
RushingAngel Johnson14 Carries 81 Yards
ReceivingGriffin Wilde5 Receptions 61 Yards

Indiana State

Game Ten – Indiana State Sycamores (4–5) vs No. 5 South Dakota Coyotes (6–2) – Game summary
Quarter1234Total
Sycamores00000
No. 5 Coyotes714141449

at DakotaDomeVermillion, SD

  • Date: Saturday November 9, 2024
  • Game time: 1:00 p.m.
  • Game weather: None (played indoors)
  • Game attendance: 5,515
  • TV: ESPN+
Game information
First quarter
Second quarter
Third quarter
Fourth quarter
StatisticsINSTSDAK
First downs521
Total yards129622
Rushing yards-3317
Passing yards132305
Passing: Comp–Att–Int12-23-015-21-0
Time of possession27:1532:45
TeamCategoryPlayerStatistics
Indiana StatePassingElijah Owens11-21 131 Yards
RushingShen Butler-Lawson10 Carries 15 Yards
ReceivingZavion Taylor4 Receptions 66 Yards
South DakotaPassingAidan Bouman14-20 238 Yards 2 TD
RushingCharles Pierre Jr11 Carries 165 Yards 2 TD
ReceivingQuaron Adams2 Receptions 133 Yards 2 TD

at North Dakota (Sitting Bull Trophy)

Game Eleven – No. 5 South Dakota Coyotes (7–2) at North Dakota Fighting Hawks (5–5) – Game summary
Quarter1234Total
No. 5 Coyotes017101542
Fighting Hawks71401536

at Alerus Center, Grand Forks, ND

  • Date: Saturday November 16, 2024
  • Game time: 12:00 p.m.
  • Game weather: None (played indoors)
  • Game attendance: 8,974
  • TV: ESPN+
Game information
First quarter
Second quarter
Third quarter
Fourth quarter
StatisticsSDAKUND
First downs2523
Total yards512323
Rushing yards322143
Passing yards190180
Passing: Comp–Att–Int20-31-0
Time of possession32:4427:16
TeamCategoryPlayerStatistics
South DakotaPassingAidan Bouman15-21 190 Yards 3 TD 1 INT
RushingCharles Pierre Jr15 Carries 173 Yards 1 TD
ReceivingCharles Pierre Jr4 Receptions 75 Yards 1 TD
North DakotaPassingSimon Roufo20-30 180 Yards 3 TD
RushingSawyer Seidl7 Carries 68 Yards 1 TD
ReceivingBo Belquist10 Receptions 96 Yards 1 TD

No. 1 North Dakota State

Game Twelve – No. 1 North Dakota State Bison (10–1) vs No. 4 South Dakota Coyotes (8–2) – Game summary
Quarter1234Total
No. 1 Bison0147728
No. 4 Coyotes7731229

at DakotaDomeVermillion, SD

  • Date: Saturday November 23, 2024
  • Game time: 1:00 p.m.
  • Game weather: None (played indoors)
  • Game attendance: 9,062
  • Referee: Aaron Adams
  • TV: ESPN+
Game information
First quarter
  • (6:35) USD – Travis Theis 6-yard run, Will Leyland kick (Drive: 11 plays, 80 yards, 6:14; South Dakota 7–0)
Second quarter
  • (12:44) USD – Travis Theis 14-yard run, Will Leyland kick (Drive: 7 plays, 73 yards, 4:13; South Dakota 14–0)
  • (2:39) NDSU – Braylon Henderson 23-yard pass from Cam Miller, Griffin Crosa kick (Drive: 6 plays, 66 yards, 2:57; South Dakota 14–7)
  • (0:26) NDSU – CharMar Brown 3-yard run, Griffin Crosa kick (Drive: 9 plays, 83 yards, 1:17; Tied 14–14)
Third quarter
  • (10:21) USD – Will Leyland 37-yard field goal (Drive: 10 plays, 51 yards, 4:39; South Dakota 17–14)
  • (4:48) NDSU – Cam Miller 2-yard run, Griffin Crosa kick (Drive: 10 plays, 80 yards, 5:29; North Dakota State 21–17)
Fourth quarter
  • (4:10) NDSU – CharMar Brown 1-yard run, Griffin Crosa kick (Drive: 20 plays, 99 yards, 10:53; North Dakota State 28–17)
  • (3:22) USD – Jack Martens 40-yard pass from Aidan Bouman (Drive: 6 plays, 71 yards, 0:48; North Dakota State 28–23)
  • (0:12) USD – Javion Phelps 25-yard pass from Aidan Bouman (Drive: 6 plays, 58 yards, 1:04; South Dakota 29–28)
StatisticsNDSUSDAK
First downs1923
Total yards340391
Rushing yards166119
Passing yards174272
Passing: Comp–Att–Int10–22–018–30–0
Time of possession30:4629:14
TeamCategoryPlayerStatistics
North Dakota StatePassing Cam Miller 10/22, 174 yards, TD
RushingCam Miller19 carries, 82 yards, TD
ReceivingRaJa Nelson3 receptions, 48 yards
South DakotaPassingAidan Bouman18/30, 272 yards, 2 TD
RushingTravis Theis13 carries, 66 yards, 2 TD
ReceivingJavion Phelps3 receptions, 79 yards, TD

No. 14 Tarleton State (NCAA Division I Playoff–Second round)

NCAA Division I Playoff–Second round
No. 14 Tarleton State Texans (10–3) vs No. 4 South Dakota Coyotes (9–2) – Game summary
Quarter1234Total
No. 14 Texans7147331
No. 4 Coyotes7772142

at DakotaDomeVermillion, SD

  • Date: Saturday December 7, 2024
  • Game time: 2:00 p.m.
  • Game attendance: 6,231
  • TV: ESPN+
Game information
First quarter
Second quarter
Third quarter
Fourth quarter
StatisticsTARSDAK
First downs
Total yards
Rushing yards
Passing yards
Passing: Comp–Att–Int
Time of possession
TeamCategoryPlayerStatistics
Tarleton StatePassing
Rushing
Receiving
South DakotaPassing
Rushing
Receiving

No. 5 UC Davis (NCAA Division I Playoff-Quarterfinal)

NCAA Division I Playoff–Quarterfinal
No. 5 UC Davis Aggies (11–2) vs No. 4 South Dakota Coyotes (10–2) – Game summary
Quarter1234Total
No. 5 Aggies770721
No. 4 Coyotes1477735

at DakotaDomeVermillion, SD

  • Date: Saturday December 14, 2024
  • Game time: 2:00 p.m.
  • Game attendance: 6,135
  • TV: ESPN+
Game information
First quarter
Second quarter
Third quarter
Fourth quarter
StatisticsUCDSDAK
First downs
Total yards
Rushing yards
Passing yards
Passing: Comp–Att–Int
Time of possession
TeamCategoryPlayerStatistics
UC DavisPassing
Rushing
Receiving
South DakotaPassing
Rushing
Receiving

at No. 1 Montana State (NCAA Division I Playoff–Semifinal)

NCAA Division I Playoff–Semifinal
No. 4 South Dakota Coyotes (11–2) at No. 1 Montana State (14–0) – Game summary
Quarter1234Total
No. 4 Coyotes773017
No. 1 Bobcats14107031

at Bobcat StadiumBozeman, MT

  • Date: Saturday December 21, 2024
  • Game time: 2:30 p.m.
  • Game attendance: 20,557
  • TV: ABC
StatisticsSDAKMTST
First downs
Total yards
Rushing yards
Passing yards
Passing: Comp–Att–Int
Time of possession
TeamCategoryPlayerStatistics
South DakotaPassing
Rushing
Receiving
Montana StatePassing
Rushing
Receiving

References

  1. "Valley Football 2024 Preseason Team and Poll". Missouri Valley Football Conference. July 22, 2024. Retrieved November 27, 2024.
  2. Carlson, Steve (September 14, 2024). "Contest with Portland State Called Off Due to Illness within Viking Program" (Press release). South Dakota Coyotes. Retrieved September 14, 2024.
  3. "2024 Football Schedule". goyotes.com. South Dakota Coyotes. Retrieved April 3, 2024.