2024 South Dakota Coyotes football team

2024 South Dakota Coyotes football
MVFC co-champion
ConferenceMissouri Valley Football Conference
Ranking
STATSNo. 4
FCS CoachesNo. 3
Record9–2 (7–1 MVFC)
Head coach
Offensive coordinatorJosh Davis (2nd season)
Defensive coordinatorTravis Johansen (6th season)
Home stadiumDakotaDome
Seasons
← 2023
2025 →
2024 Missouri Valley Football Conference standings
Conf Overall
Team   W   L     W   L  
No. 2 South Dakota State +^   7 1     10 2  
No. 3 North Dakota State +^   7 1     10 2  
No. 4 South Dakota +^   7 1     9 2  
Missouri State*   6 2     8 4  
No. 11 Illinois State ^   6 2     10 3  
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  
* Ineligible for 2024 FCS playoffs due to transition to the FBS
  • + – Conference co-champions
  • ^ – FCS playoff participant
As of December 3, 2024
Rankings from STATS Poll

The 2024 South Dakota Coyotes football team represents 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 are led by ninth-year head coach Bob Nielson and play home games at the DakotaDome in Vermillion, South Dakota.

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 finish Team Votes (1st place)
1 South Dakota State 482 (42)
2 North Dakota State 437 (1)
3 South Dakota 371
4 Southern Illinois 293
5 North Dakota 276
6 Illinois State 264
7 Youngtown State 255
8 Northern Iowa 227
9 Missouri State 164 (1)
10 Indiana State 68
11 Murray State 67

Schedule

DateTimeOpponentRankSiteTVResultAttendance
August 297:00 p.m.Northern State*No. 5ESPN+W 45–37,435
September 72:30 p.m.at Wisconsin*No. 6FS1L 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 IllinoisNo. 5
  • DakotaDome
  • Vermillion, SD
ESPN+W 42–136,706
October 52:00 p.m.at Murray StateNo. 4ESPN+W 59–06,437
October 122:00 p.m.Northern IowaNo. 4
  • DakotaDome
  • Vermillion, SD
ESPN+W 42–178,934
October 195:00 p.m.at Youngstown StateNo. 4ESPN+W 27–178,560
October 266:30 p.m.at No. 3 South Dakota StateNo. 4ESPNUL 17–20 OT19,351
November 91:00 p.m.Indiana StateNo. 5
  • DakotaDome
  • Vermillion, SD
ESPN+W 49–05,515
November 1612:00 p.m.at North DakotaNo. 5ESPN+W 42–368,974
November 231:00 p.m.No. 1 North Dakota StateNo. 4
  • DakotaDome
  • Vermillion, SD
ESPN+W 29–289,062
December 72:00 p.m. No. 14 Tarleton State*No. 4
ESPN+

[3]

Game summaries

Northern State (DII)

Game One – Northern State Wolves (DII) (0–0) vs South Dakota Coyotes (0–0) – Game summary
Quarter 1 2 34Total
Wolves (DII) 3 0 003
No. 5 Coyotes 10 21 7745

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
Statistics NORST SDAK
First downs 11 20
Total yards 207 351
Rushing yards 147 266
Passing yards 60 85
Passing: Comp–Att–Int 8-13-2 9-13-0
Time of possession 31:55 28:05
Team Category Player Statistics
Northern State Passing Daniel Britt 8-11 60 Yards 1 INT
Rushing Hank Craft 11 Carries 68 Yards
Receiving Tanner Branson 2 Catches 25 Yards
South Dakota Passing Aidan Bouman 9-12 85 Yards
Rushing Charles Pierre Jr 13 Carries 136 Yards 2 TD
Receiving Carter Bell 3 Catches 32 Yards

at Wisconsin (FBS)

Game Two – No. 6 South Dakota Coyotes (1–0) at Wisconsin Badgers (FBS) (1–0) – Game summary
Quarter 1 2 34Total
No. 6 Coyotes 0 3 10013
Badgers (FBS) 14 3 3727

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 7–0 Drive: 7 plays, 75 yards, 2:52.
  • WIS – CJ Williams 50-yard pass from Tyler Van Dyke (Nathanial Vakos kick), 4:48 Wisconsin 14–0 Drive: 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 17–10 Drive: 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 27–13 Drive: 11 plays, 85 yards, 4:51.
Statistics SDAK WIS
First downs 13 23
Total yards 237 385
Rushing yards 123 171
Passing yards 114 214
Passing: Comp–Att–Int 12–23–0 17–27–0
Time of possession 27:31 32:29
Team Category Player Statistics
South Dakota Passing Aidan Bouman 12/23, 114 yards
Rushing Charles Pierre Jr. 12 carries, 83 yards
Receiving Travis Theis 4 receptions, 43 yards
Wisconsin Passing Tyler Van Dyke 17/27, 214 yards, TD
Rushing Chez Mellusi 16 carries, 60 yards, 2 TD
Receiving CJ Williams 2 receptions, 53 yards, TD

at Portland State

Game Three – No. 6 South Dakota Coyotes (1–1) at Portland State Vikings (0–2) – Game summary
Quarter 1 2 34Total
No. 6 Coyotes 0 0 000
Vikings 0 0 000

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
Statistics SDAK PRST
First downs
Total yards
Rushing yards
Passing yards
Passing: Comp–Att–Int
Time of possession
Team Category Player Statistics
South Dakota Passing
Rushing
Receiving
Portland State Passing
Rushing
Receiving

Drake

Game Four – Drake Bulldogs (1–0) at No. 6 South Dakota Coyotes (1–1) – Game summary
Quarter 1 2 34Total
Bulldogs 0 3 003
No. 6 Coyotes 14 14 7742

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)
Statistics DRKE SDAK
First downs 18 25
Total yards 211 411
Rushing yards 93 192
Passing yards 118 219
Passing: Comp–Att–Int 18–33–1 18–26–1
Time of possession 32:17 27:43
Team Category Player Statistics
Drake Passing Luke Bailey 16/29, 107 yards, INT
Rushing Dorian Boyland 8 carries, 51 yards
Receiving Trey Radocha 7 receptions, 56 yards
South Dakota Passing Aidan Bouman 18/24, 219 yards, TD
Rushing Travis Theis 9 carries, 94 yards, 2 TD
Receiving Carter Bell 4 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
Quarter 1 2 34Total
No. 17 Salukis 0 7 6013
No. 5 Coyotes 14 21 0742

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
Statistics SIU SDAK
First downs 16 24
Total yards 366 549
Rushing yards 60 302
Passing yards 306 247
Passing: Comp–Att–Int 23-41 11-17
Time of possession 24:41 35:19
Team Category Player Statistics
Southern Illinois Passing Hunter Simmons 23-41 306 Yards 2 TD
Rushing Shaun Lester Jr 10 Carries 31 Yards
Receiving Keontez Lewis 3 Catches 88 Yards 1 TD
South Dakota Passing Aidan Bouman 11-17 245 Yards 2 TD
Rushing Travis Theis 25 carries 147 Yards 2 TD
Receiving JJ Galbreath 2 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
Quarter 1 2 34Total
No. 4 Coyotes 21 3 211459
Racers 0 0 000

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
Statistics SDAK MURR
First downs 26 10
Total yards 582 213
Rushing yards 361 90
Passing yards 221 123
Passing: Comp–Att–Int 16-22-1 13-21-2
Time of possession 36:20 23:40
Team Category Player Statistics
South Dakota Passing Aidan Bouman 16-22 221 Yards 1 TD 1 INT
Rushing Travis Theis 14 Carries 132 Yards 2 TD
Receiving Quaron Adams 3 Receptions 83 Yards
Murray State Passing Jayden Johannsen 7-13 84 yards 2 INT
Rushing Jawaun Northington 11 Carries 46 Yards
Receiving JK Carter 3 Receptions 54 Yards

Northern Iowa

Game Seven – Northern Iowa Panthers (2–3) vs No. 4 South Dakota Coyotes (4–1) – Game summary
Quarter 1 2 34Total
Panthers 7 3 7017
No. 4 Coyotes 7 21 14042

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
Statistics UNI SDAK
First downs 16 24
Total yards 311 513
Rushing yards 56 192
Passing yards 255 321
Passing: Comp–Att–Int 19-28-1 18-21-0
Time of possession 24:31 35:29
Team Category Player Statistics
Northern Iowa Passing Matthew Schecklman 18-26 250 yards 1 TD 1 INT
Rushing Tye Edwards 19 carries 53 yards 1 TD
Receiving Desmond Hutson 4 Receptions 94 Yards
South Dakota Passing Aidan Bouman 17-20 284 Yards 2 TD
Rushing Charles Pierre Jr 21 Carries 105 Yards 2 TD
Receiving AJ Coons 2 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
Quarter 1 2 34Total
No. 4 Coyotes 0 14 10327
Penguins 7 10 0017

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
Statistics SDAK YSU
First downs 19 22
Total yards 415 346
Rushing yards 192 138
Passing yards 223 208
Passing: Comp–Att–Int 12-18-0 22-32-0
Time of possession 26:01 33:59
Team Category Player Statistics
South Dakota Passing Aidan Bouman 12-18 223 Yards 1 TD
Rushing Charles Pierre Jr 21 Carries 153 Yards 2 TD
Receiving JJ Galbreath 3 Receptions 79 Yards
Youngstown State Passing Beau Brungard 22-31 208 Yards 1 TD
Rushing Beau Brungard 16 Carries 69 Yards 1 TD
Receiving Max Tomczak 9 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
Quarter 1 2 34OTTotal
No. 4 Coyotes 7 0 07317
No. 3 Jackrabbits 7 7 00620

at Dana J. Dykhouse Stadium, Brookings, SD

Game information
First quarter
Second quarter
Third quarter
Fourth quarter
Statistics SDAK SDST
First downs 18 19
Total yards 275 329
Rushing yards 82 166
Passing yards 193 163
Passing: Comp–Att–Int 21-35-1 21-29-0
Time of possession 28:22 31:38
Team Category Player Statistics
South Dakota Passing Aidan Bouman 20-32 163 Yards
Rushing Travis Theis 15 Carries 78 Yards 1 TD
Receiving Jack Martens 3 Receptions 66 Yards
South Dakota State Passing Mark Gronowski 20-27 163 Yards
Rushing Angel Johnson 14 Carries 81 Yards
Receiving Griffin Wilde 5 Receptions 61 Yards

Indiana State

Game Ten – Indiana State Sycamores (4–5) vs No. 5 South Dakota Coyotes (6–2) – Game summary
Quarter 1 2 34Total
Sycamores 0 0 000
No. 5 Coyotes 7 14 141449

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
Statistics INST SDAK
First downs 5 21
Total yards 129 622
Rushing yards -3 317
Passing yards 132 305
Passing: Comp–Att–Int 12-23-0 15-21-0
Time of possession 27:15 32:45
Team Category Player Statistics
Indiana State Passing Elijah Owens 11-21 131 Yards
Rushing Shen Butler-Lawson 10 Carries 15 Yards
Receiving Zavion Taylor 4 Receptions 66 Yards
South Dakota Passing Aidan Bouman 14-20 238 Yards 2 TD
Rushing Charles Pierre Jr 11 Carries 165 Yards 2 TD
Receiving Quaron Adams 2 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
Quarter 1 2 34Total
No. 5 Coyotes 0 17 101542
Fighting Hawks 7 14 01536

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
Statistics SDAK UND
First downs 25 23
Total yards 512 323
Rushing yards 322 143
Passing yards 190 180
Passing: Comp–Att–Int 20-31-0
Time of possession 32:44 27:16
Team Category Player Statistics
South Dakota Passing Aidan Bouman 15-21 190 Yards 3 TD 1 INT
Rushing Charles Pierre Jr 15 Carries 173 Yards 1 TD
Receiving Charles Pierre Jr 4 Receptions 75 Yards 1 TD
North Dakota Passing Simon Roufo 20-30 180 Yards 3 TD
Rushing Sawyer Seidl 7 Carries 68 Yards 1 TD
Receiving Bo Belquist 10 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
Quarter 1 2 34Total
No. 1 Bison 0 0 000
No. 4 Coyotes 0 0 000

at DakotaDomeVermillion, SD

  • Date: Saturday November 23, 2024
  • Game time: 1:00 p.m.
  • Game weather: None (played indoors)
  • TV: ESPN+
Game information
First quarter
Second quarter
Third quarter
Fourth quarter
Statistics NDSU SDAK
First downs
Total yards
Rushing yards
Passing yards
Passing: Comp–Att–Int
Time of possession
Team Category Player Statistics
North Dakota State Passing
Rushing
Receiving
South Dakota Passing
Rushing
Receiving

No. 14 Tarleton State (NCAA Division I playoff–second round)

Game Thirteen – No. 14 Tarleton State Texans (10–3) vs No. 4 South Dakota Coyotes (9–2) – Game summary
Quarter 1 2 34Total
No. 14 Texans 0 0 000
No. 4 Coyotes 0 0 000

at DakotaDomeVermillion, SD

  • Date: Saturday December 7, 2024
  • Game time: 2:00 p.m.
  • TV: ESPN+
Game information
First quarter
Second quarter
Third quarter
Fourth quarter
Statistics TAR SDAK
First downs
Total yards
Rushing yards
Passing yards
Passing: Comp–Att–Int
Time of possession
Team Category Player Statistics
Tarleton State Passing
Rushing
Receiving
South Dakota Passing
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.