2025 South Dakota Coyotes football team

2025 South Dakota Coyotes football
Conference	Missouri Valley Football Conference
Ranking
STATS	No. 17
FCS Coaches	No. 18
Record	2–3 (0–1 MVFC)
Head coach	Travis Johansen (1st season)
Offensive coordinator	Tim Morrison (1st season)
Co-offensive coordinator	Matt Vitzthum (1st season)
Defensive coordinator	Billy Kirch (1st season)
Home stadium	DakotaDome
Seasons ←  2024 2026 →

2025 Missouri Valley Football Conference standings

v t e	Conf.							Overall
Team		W		L					W		L
No. 1 North Dakota State		1	–	0					4	–	0
No. 2 South Dakota State		0	–	0					4	–	0
No. 7 Illinois State		0	–	0					3	–	1
No. 11 Southern Illinois		0	–	0					3	–	1
No. 24 Youngstown State		0	–	0					3	–	1
Indiana State		0	–	0					2	–	2
No. 14 North Dakota		0	–	0					2	–	2
Northern Iowa		0	–	0					2	–	2
Murray State		0	–	0					0	–	4
No. 17 South Dakota		0	–	1					2	–	3
As of September 28, 2025 Rankings from STATS Poll

The 2025 South Dakota Coyotes football team represent 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 are 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 is 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 joins 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

Date	Time	Opponent	Rank	Site	TV	Result	Attendance
August 30	2:30 p.m.	at No. 22 (FBS) Iowa State *	No. 4	Jack Trice Stadium Ames, IA	FOX	L 7–55	61,500
September 6	6:00 p.m.	at Lamar *	No. 4	Provost Umphrey Stadium Beaumont, TX	ESPN+	L 13–20	6,043
September 13	1:00 p.m.	Northern Colorado *	No. 12	DakotaDome Vermillion, SD	Midco Sports/ESPN+	W 24–17 OT	6,445
September 20	1:00 p.m.	Drake *	No. 15	DakotaDome Vermillion, SD	Midco Sports/ESPN+	W 42–21	7,441
September 27	1:00 p.m.	at No. 1 North Dakota State	No. 17	Fargodome Fargo, ND	Midco Sports/ESPN+	L 13–51	18,498
October 4	2:00 p.m.	Murray State		DakotaDome Vermillion, SD	Midco Sports/ESPN+
October 11	12:00 p.m.	at Indiana State		Memorial Stadium Terre Haute, IN	ESPN+
October 18	1:00 p.m.	at Northern Iowa		UNI-Dome Cedar Falls, IA	ESPN+
October 25	1:00 p.m.	Illinois State		DakotaDome Vermillion, SD	Midco Sports/ESPN+
November 1	1:00 p.m.	North Dakota		DakotaDome Vermillion, SD	Midco Sports/ESPN+
November 8	TBA	South Dakota State		DakotaDome Vermillion, SD (rivalry)	ESPN Network
November 15	12:00 p.m.	at Southern Illinois		Saluki Stadium Carbondale, IL	ESPN+
*Non-conference game Rankings from STATS Poll released prior to the game All times are in Central time

^{[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	3	4	Total
No. 4 Coyotes	7	0	0	0	7
No. 22 (FBS) Cyclones	14	13	14	14	55

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	3	4	Total
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	3	4	Total
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	3	4	Total
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	3	4	Total
No. 17 Coyotes	0	3	0	10	13
No. 1 Bison	13	21	10	7	51

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. South Dakota Coyotes (0–0) – Game summary

Quarter	1	2	3	4	Total
Racers	-	-	-	-	0
Coyotes	-	-	-	-	0

at DakotaDome, Vermillion, SD

• Date: October 4
• Game time: 2:00 PM
• Game weather: Indoors; 70 °F (21 °C)
• TV: ESPN+

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

South Dakota Coyotes (0–0) vs. Indiana State Sycamores (0–0) – Game summary

Quarter	1	2	3	4	Total
Coyotes	-	-	-	-	0
Sycamores	-	-	-	-	0

at Memorial Stadium, Terre Haute, IN

• Date: October 11
• Game time: 12:00 PM
• TV: ESPN+

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

South Dakota Coyotes (0–0) vs. Northern Iowa Panthers (0–0) – Game summary

Quarter	1	2	3	4	Total
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: ESPN+

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

Illinois State

See also: 2025 Illinois State Redbirds football team

Illinois State Redbirds (0–0) vs. South Dakota Coyotes (0–0) – Game summary

Quarter	1	2	3	4	Total
Redbirds	-	-	-	-	0
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

North Dakota

See also: 2025 North Dakota Fighting Hawks football team and Sitting Bull Trophy

North Dakota Fighting Hawks (0–0) vs. South Dakota Coyotes (0–0) – Game summary

Quarter	1	2	3	4	Total
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

South Dakota State

See also: 2025 South Dakota State Jackrabbits football team and South Dakota–South Dakota State football rivalry

South Dakota State Jackrabbits (0–0) vs. South Dakota Coyotes (0–0) – Game summary

Quarter	1	2	3	4	Total
Jackrabbits	-	-	-	-	0
Coyotes	-	-	-	-	0

at DakotaDome, Vermillion, SD

• Date: November 8
• Game time: TBD
• Game weather: Indoors; 70 °F (21 °C)
• TV: ESPN Network

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 Southern Illinois

See also: 2025 Southern Illinois Salukis football team

South Dakota Coyotes (0–0) vs. Southern Illinois Salukis (0–0) – Game summary

Quarter	1	2	3	4	Total
Coyotes	-	-	-	-	0
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
( ) = First-place votes

	Week
Poll	Pre	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	10	11	12	13	Final
STATS FCS	4 (1)	4	12	15	17
Coaches	5	6	20	21	18

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.