2023 South Dakota Coyotes football team

2023 South Dakota Coyotes football
2023 South Dakota Coyotes football
NCAA Division I Quarterfinal, L 17–45 vs. North Dakota State
Conference	Missouri Valley Football Conference
Ranking
STATS	No. 3
FCS Coaches	No. 3
Record	10–3 (7–1 MVFC)
Head coach	Bob Nielson (8th season);
Offensive coordinator	Josh Davis (1st season)
Defensive coordinator	Travis Johansen (5th season)
Home stadium	DakotaDome
	Seasons ← 2022 2024 →

2023 Missouri Valley Football Conference standings
v t e
Team	W		L	W		L
No. 1 South Dakota State $^	8	–	0	15	–	0
No. 4 South Dakota ^	7	–	1	10	–	3
No. 3 North Dakota State ^	5	–	3	11	–	4
No. 19 Youngstown State ^	5	–	3	8	–	5
No. 16 North Dakota ^	5	–	3	7	–	5
Northern Iowa	5	–	3	6	–	5
No. 12 Southern Illinois ^	4	–	4	8	–	5
Illinois State	4	–	4	6	–	5
Missouri State	3	–	5	4	–	7
Murray State	1	–	7	2	–	9
Indiana State	1	–	7	1	–	10
Western Illinois	0	–	8	0	–	11

$ – Conference champion ^ – FCS playoff participant As of October 27, 2024 Rankings from STATS Poll

The 2023 South Dakota Coyotes football team represented the University of South Dakota in the 2023 NCAA Division I FCS football season. The Coyotes competed as members of the Missouri Valley Football Conference and were led by eighth-year head coach Bob Nielson. They played home games at the DakotaDome in Vermillion, South Dakota.

Schedule

Date	Time	Opponent	Rank	Site	TV	Result	Attendance
August 31	7:00 p.m.	at Missouri*		Faurot Field Columbia, MO (SEC Nation)	SECN	L 10–35	50,434
September 9	1:00 p.m.	St. Thomas*		DakotaDome Vermillion, SD	MidcoSN	W 24–0	6,126
September 16	1:00 p.m.	Lamar*		DakotaDome Vermillion, SD	ESPN+	W 35–6	5,618
September 30	1:00 p.m.	at No. 2 North Dakota State		Fargodome Fargo, ND	ESPN+/ABC ND	W 24–19	18,342
October 7	2:00 p.m.	Murray State	No. 15	DakotaDome Vermillion, SD	ESPN+	W 38–7	7,907
October 14	1:00 p.m.	No. 23 Youngstown State	No. 10	DakotaDome Vermillion, SD	ESPN+	W 34–31	3,608
October 21	12:00 p.m.	at Indiana State	No. 6	Memorial Stadium Terre Haute, IN	ESPN+	W 17–3	4,908
October 28	1:00 p.m.	No. 1 South Dakota State	No. 4	DakotaDome Vermillion, SD (South Dakota Showdown)	ESPN+	L 3–37	9,458
November 4	1:00 p.m.	at No. 10 Southern Illinois	No. 9	Saluki Stadium Carbondale, IL	ESPN+	W 14–7	7,106
November 11	12:00 p.m.	No. 10 North Dakota	No. 6	DakotaDome Vermillion, SD	MidcoSN	W 14–10	6,834
November 18	1:00 p.m.	at Western Illinois	No. 5	Hanson Field Macomb, IL	ESPN+	W 48–6	1,935
December 2	1:00 p.m.	No. 15 Sacramento State*	No. 3	DakotaDome Vermillion, SD (NCAA Division I Second Round)	ESPN+	W 34–24	6,288
December 9	1:30 p.m.	No. 8 North Dakota State*	No. 3	DakotaDome Vermillion, SD (NCAA Division I Quarterfinal)	ABC	L 17–45	9,141
*Non-conference game Rankings from STATS Poll released prior to the game All times are in Central time

^[1]^[2]

Game summaries

at Missouri (FBS)

Helmet	Jersey	Pants
Uniform Combination

Game One – South Dakota Coyotes (0–0) at Missouri Tigers (FBS) (0–0) – Game summary

Quarter	1	2	3	4	Total
South Dakota	0	3	0	7	10
Missouri (FBS)	14	14	0	7	35

at Faurot Field • Columbia, Missouri

Date: Thursday, August 31, 2023
Game time: 7:00 p.m. CDT
Game weather: Sunny • Temperature: 75 °F (24 °C)
Game attendance: 50,434
TV announcers (SECN): Clay Matvick (play-by-play), Aaron Murray (color analyst), and Ashley ShahAhmadi (sideline reporter)

Game information

First quarter

(7:47) MIZZ – Mekhi Miller 18-yard pass from Brady Cook (Harrison Mevis kick) (Drive: 6 plays, 52 yards, 2:29; Missouri 7–0)
(3:19) MIZZ – Nathaniel Peat 1-yard run (Harrison Mevis kick) (Drive: 7 plays, 38 yards, 2:53; Missouri 14–0)

Second quarter

(7:06) USD – Will Leyland 40-yard field goal (Drive: 12 plays, 47 yards, 6:45; Missouri 14–3)
(1:48) MIZZ – Cody Schrader 2-yard run (Harrison Mevis kick) (Drive: 14 plays, 81 yards, 5:11; Missouri 21–3)
(0:33) MIZZ – Brady Cook 15-yard run (Harrison Mevis kick) (Drive: 6 plays, 83 yards, 0:52; Missouri 28–3)

Third quarter

No scoring plays

Fourth quarter

(12:14) USD – Mike Mansaray 6-yard pass from Aidan Bouman (Jack Martens kick) (Drive: 3 plays, 29 yards, 1:08; Missouri 28–10)
(1:42) MIZZ – Luther Burden III 15-yard pass from Sam Horn (Harrison Mevis kick) (Drive: 9 plays, 78 yards, 4:47; Missouri 35–10)

Statistics	USD	MIZZ
First downs	14	22
Total yards	60–194	66–437
Rushes/yards	35–38	40–211
Passing yards	156	266
Passing: Comp–Att–Int	15–25–0	20–26–1
Time of possession	30:58	29:02

Team	Category	Player	Statistics
South Dakota	Passing	Aiden Bouman	15–25, 156 yards, 1 TD
	Rushing	Travis Theis	7 carries, 26 yards
	Receiving	Jack Martens	8 receptions, 88 yards
Missouri	Passing	Brady Cook	17–21, 172 yards, 1 TD
	Rushing	Cody Schrader	18 carries, 138 yards, 1 TD
	Receiving	Luther Burden III	7 receptions, 96 yards, 1 TD

vs. Lamar

Game Three – Lamar Cardinals at South Dakota Coyotes

Quarter	1	2	3	4	Total
Lamar	3	3	0	0	6
South Dakota	0	7	14	14	35

at DakotaDome, Vermillion, SD

Date: September 16
Game time: 1:00 p.m.
Game weather: Weather: Indoor • Temp: 72
Game attendance: 5,618
Referee: Aaron Adams
TV: ESPN+
Box Score

Game information

First Quarter

LU – 4:53 Esqueda,Chris 26 yd field goal LU 3–0 Drive: 7 plays, 12 yards, TOP 03:25

Second Quarter

LU – 10:06 Esqueda,Chris 26 yd field goal LU 6–0 Drive: 13 plays, 75 yards, TOP 06:45
USD – 02:14 Theis,Travis 2 yd run (Leyland,Will kick) USD 6–7 Drive: 13 plays, 75 yards, TOP 07:52

Third Quarter

USD – 9:27 Thomas,Nate 1 yd run (Leyland,Will kick), USD 6–14 Drive: 9 plays, 73 yards, TOP 05:27
USD – 4:12 Galbreath,JJ 20 yd pass from Bouman,Aidan (Leyland,Will kick) USD 6–21 Drive: 5 plays, 65 yards, TOP 02:35

Fourth Quarter

USD – 10:47 Theis,Travis 32 yd run (Leyland,Will kick) USD 6–28 Drive: 7 plays, 80 yards, TOP 03:50
USD – 3:23 homas,Nate 2 yd run (Mata,Zeke kick) USD 6–35 Drive: 6 plays, 50 yards, TOP 04:09

Statistics

Statistics	Lamar	South Dakota
First downs	22	22
Total yards	274	401
Rushing yards	105	305
Passing yards	169	96
Turnovers	2	2
Time of possession	31:41	28:19

Team	Category	Player	Statistics
Lamar	Passing	Robert Coleman	14/24; 144 yds; 1 Int; long 25 yds; sack 7
	Rushing	Khalan Griffin	15 attempts; 63 yds; long 10
	Receiving	Kyndon Fuselier	4 receptions; 37 yds; long 12
South Dakota	Passing	Aidan Bouman	7/9; 96 yds; 1 Int; 1 TD; long 29 yds
	Rushing	Nate Thomas	19 attempts; 164 yds; long 29; 2 TDs
	Receiving	Jack Martens	2 receptions; 34 yds; long 29

at No. 2 North Dakota State

South Dakota Coyotes (2–1) vs No. 2 North Dakota State Bison (3–0)

Quarter	1	2	3	4	Total
Coyotes	7	14	0	3	24
No. 2 Bison	3	0	7	9	19

at Fargodome, Fargo, ND

Date: September 30, 2023
Game time: 1:00 p.m. (CT)
Game weather: Indoors; 70 °F (21 °C)
Game attendance: 18,342
Referee: Marcel Kerr
TV: ESPN+

Statistics	South Dakota	North Dakota State
First downs	15	23
Plays–yards	38–269	65–348
Rushes–yards	26–101	40–194
Passing yards	168	154
Passing: comp–att–int	10–12–0	18–25–1
Time of possession	24:28	35:32

Team	Category	Player	Statistics
South Dakota	Passing	Aidan Bouman	10/12, 168 yds, 2 TD
	Rushing	Nate Thomas	14 car, 49 yds
	Receiving	Carter Bell	5 rec, 124 yds, 2 TD
North Dakota State	Passing	Cam Miller	18/25, 154 yds, TD, INT
	Rushing	Cam Miller	12 car, 70 yds
	Receiving	Zach Mathis	4 rec, 42 yds

Scoring summary

Quarter	Time	Drive			Team	Scoring information	Score
Quarter	Time	Plays	Yards	TOP	Team	Scoring information	USD	NDSU
1st	11:23	6	75	3:37	USD	Carter Bell (#14) 50-yard touchdown reception from Aidan Bouman (#2), Will Leyland (#15) kick good	7	0
1st	1:16	16	56	10:07	NDSU	37-yard field goal by Griffin Crosa (#39)	7	3
2nd	9:47	11	78	6:23	USD	Keyondre Jones (#21) 8-yard touchdown run, Will Leyland (#15) kick good	14	3
2nd	5:30	2	46	1:11	USD	Carter Bell (#14) 52-yard touchdown reception from Aidan Bouman (#2), Will Leyland (#15) kick good	21	3
3rd	7:23	12	89	7:31	NDSU	Cam Miller (#7) 7-yard touchdown run, Griffin Crosa (#39) kick good	21	10
4th	11:10	16	80	9:24	NDSU	26-yard field goal by Griffin Crosa (#39)	21	13
4th	2:49	12	54	8:14	USD	37-yard field goal by Will Leyland (#15)	24	13
4th	0:36	12	75	2:13	NDSU	Joe Stoffel (#82) 2-yard touchdown reception from Cam Miller (#7), 2-point pass failed	24	19
"TOP" = time of possession. For other American football terms, see Glossary of American football.							24	19

No. 1 South Dakota State

No. 1 South Dakota State at No. 4 South Dakota

	1	2	3	4	Total
• No. 1 Jackrabbits	0	17	6	14	37
No. 4 Coyotes	3	0	0	0	3

Date: October 28
Location:
DakotaDome
Vermillion, SD
Game start: 1:06 p.m. CDT
Elapsed time: 2:49
Game attendance: 9,458
Game weather: 72 °F (22 °C), Indoor
Referee: Gregory Gompf
Television network: ESPN+

Source: Box Score

Statistics	SDSU	USD
First downs	25	13
Total yards	473	183
Rushing yards	266	50
Passing yards	207	133
Turnovers	1	2
Time of possession	35:59	24:01

Team	Category	Player	Statistics
South Dakota State	Passing	Mark Gronowski	13/19, 207 yards, INT
	Rushing	Isaiah Davis	17 carries, 69 yards
	Receiving	Jaxon Janke	3 receptions, 93 yards
South Dakota	Passing	Aidan Bouman	17/31, 133 yards, 2 INT
	Rushing	Travis Theis	9 carries, 29 yards
	Receiving	JJ Galbreath	8 receptions, 65 yards

FCS Playoffs

No. 15 Sacramento State – Second Round

FCS Playoffs Second Round: No. 15 Sacramento State Hornets (8–4) at No. 3 South Dakota Coyotes (9–2) – Game summary

Quarter	1	2	3	4	Total
No. 15 Hornets	0	14	0	10	24
No. 3 Coyotes	3	21	7	3	34

at DakotaDome, Vermillion, SD

Date: December 2, 2023
Game time: 11:00 a.m. PST
Game weather: 72 °F (22 °C) • Indoors
Game attendance: 6,288
Referee: Tim Barker
TV announcers (ESPN+): Play-by-Play: Jack Benjamin • Analysis: Craig Haubert
Sources:

Game information

First Quarter

(0:59) USD – Will Leyland 37-yard field goal (Drive: 14 plays, 70 yards, 8:12; South Dakota 3–0)

Second Quarter

(14:55) USD – Javion Phelps 18-yard pass from Aidan Bouman (Will Leyland kick) (Drive: 4 plays, 33 yards, 0:54; South Dakota 10–0)
(14:17) USD – Mi'Quise Grace 56-yard fumble return (Will Leyland kick) (Drive: 2 plays, 31 yards, 0:38; South Dakota 17–0)
(9:31) SAC – Marcus Fulcher 2-yard run (Zach Schreiner kick) (Drive: 10 plays, 75 yards, 4:46; South Dakota 17–7)
(8:38) USD – JJ Galbreath 75-yard pass from Aidan Bouman (Will Leyland kick) (Drive: 2 plays, 75 yards, 0:53; South Dakota 24–7)
(0:14) SAC – Marcus Fulcher 2-yard run (Zach Schreiner kick) (Drive: 8 plays, 59 yards, 3:46; South Dakota 24–14)

Third Quarter

(0:20) USD – Travis Theis 3-yard run (Will Leyland kick) (Drive: 10 plays, 63 yards, 5:14; South Dakota 31–14)

Fourth Quarter

(11:54) SAC – Zach Schreiner 28-yard field goal (Drive: 8 plays, 65 yards, 3:26; South Dakota 31–17)
(5:06) USD – Will Leyland 34-yard field goal (Drive: 7 plays, 73 yards, 3:42; South Dakota 34–17)
(1:37) SAC – Jared Gipson 3-yard pass from Carson Camp (Zach Schreiner kick) (Drive: 10 plays, 56 yards, 3:19; South Dakota 34–24)

Line

USD –4.0

Over/Under

50.5

Statistics	SAC	USD
First downs	18	15
Total yards	350	368
Rushing yards	148	194
Passing yards	202	174
Passing: Comp–Att–Int	17–30–1	11–17–0
Time of possession	27:13	32:47

Team	Category	Player	Statistics
Sacramento State	Passing	Carson Camp	14/23, 168 yards, TD
	Rushing	Marcus Fulcher	13 carries, 67 yards, 2 TD
	Receiving	Anderson Grover	3 receptions, 79 yards
South Dakota	Passing	Aidan Bouman	11/16, 174 yards, 2 TD
	Rushing	Charles Pierre Jr.	13 carries, 123 yards
	Receiving	JJ Galbreath	1 reception, 75 yards, TD

No. 8 North Dakota State – Quarterfinal

No. 8 North Dakota State Bison (10–3) vs. No. 3 (3) South Dakota Coyotes (10–2)

Quarter	1	2	3	4	Total
No. 8 Bison	21	14	3	7	45
No. 3 (3) Coyotes	3	0	7	7	17

at DakotaDome, Vermillion, SD

Date: December 9, 2023
Game time: 1:30 p.m. (CT)
Game weather: Indoors; 70 °F (21 °C)
Game attendance: 9,141
Referee: Gary Leeper
TV announcers (ABC): Roy Philpott, Roddy Jones, Lauren Sisler

Statistics	North Dakota State	South Dakota
First downs	22	16
Plays–yards	60–416	52–298
Rushes–yards	45–206	20–52
Passing yards	210	246
Passing: comp–att–int	13–15–0	18–32–3
Time of possession	36:08	23:52

Team	Category	Player	Statistics
North Dakota State	Passing	Cam Miller	13/15, 210 yds, TD
	Rushing	Cole Payton	6 car, 65 yds, 2 TD
	Receiving	Eli Green	5 rec, 116 yds
South Dakota	Passing	Aidan Bouman	13/22, 199 yds, TD, 2 INT
	Rushing	Travis Theis	6 car, 32 yds
	Receiving	Javion Phelps	3 rec, 81 yds, TD

Scoring summary

Quarter	Time	Drive			Team	Scoring information	Score
Quarter	Time	Plays	Yards	TOP	Team	Scoring information	NDSU	USD
1st	8:30	10	75	6:30	NDSU	Cam Miller (#7) 9-yard touchdown run, Griffin Crosa (#39) kick good	7	0
1st	5:32	8	60	2:58	USD	32-yard field goal by Will Leyland (#15)	7	3
1st	1:57	7	76	3:30	NDSU	Cole Payton (#9) 43-yard touchdown run, Griffin Crosa (#39) kick good	14	3
1st	0:05				NDSU	Punt returned 82 yards for touchdown by Jayden Price (#23), Griffin Crosa (#39) kick good	21	3
2nd	6:59	9	81	5:27	NDSU	Joe Stoffel (#82) 4-yard touchdown reception from Cam Miller (#7), Griffin Crosa (#39) kick good	28	3
2nd	0:23	7	54	3:35	NDSU	Cole Payton (#9) 17-yard touchdown run, Griffin Crosa (#39) kick good	35	3
3rd	10:07	9	75	4:53	USD	Javion Phelps (#8) 16-yard touchdown reception from Aidan Bouman (#2), Will Leyland (#15) kick good	35	10
3rd	0:50	53	15	9:17	NDSU	40-yard field goal by Griffin Crosa (#39)	38	10
4th	9:12	7	45	4:40	NDSU	TaMerik Williams (#22) 19-yard touchdown run, Griffin Crosa (#39) kick good	45	10
4th	2:58	14	74	6:09	USD	Charles Pierre Jr. (#3) 5-yard touchdown run, Will Leyland (#15) kick good	45	17
"TOP" = time of possession. For other American football terms, see Glossary of American football.							45	17

Coaching staff

Name	Position	Consecutive season at South Dakota in current position	Previous position	USD profile
South Dakota Coyotes
Bob Nielson	Head coach	8th	Western Illinois head coach (2013–2015)	^[3]
Travis Johansen	Associate head coach and defensive coordinator	5th	Grand View defensive coordinator (2013–2018)	^[4]
Josh Davis	Offensive coordinator	1st	South Dakota State pass game coordinator and wide receivers coach (2022)	^[5]
Dante Warren	Running backs coach	6th	Augustana (IL) graduate assistant (2016–2017)	^[6]
Miles Taylor	Defensive pass game coordinator and defensive backs coach	4th	Iowa graduate assistant (2018–2019)	^[7]
Elijah Hodge	Inside linebackers coach	2nd	N/A	^[8]
Jeff Nady	Offensive line coach	1st	Nevada offensive line coach (2022)	^[9]
Craig Bagnell	Wide receivers coach	1st	Mary head coach (2018–2022)	^[10]
Rob Snyder	Defensive line coach	1st	Jesuit HS (LA) defensive coordinator and defensive line coach (2022)	^[11]
Tim Morrison	Tight ends coach	1st	Upper Iowa assistant head coach and offensive coordinator (2021–2022)	^[12]
Steve Ferentz	Outside linebackers coach	2nd	Miami Dolphins assistant linebackers coach (2020–2021)	^[13]
Reference:^[14]

References

^ "South Dakota Football Schedule". FBSchedules. Retrieved March 24, 2023.
^ "2023 Football Schedule". University of South Dakota Athletics. Retrieved March 24, 2023.
^ "Bob Nielson - Football Coach". University of South Dakota Athletics. Retrieved December 30, 2023.
^ "Travis Johansen - Football Coach". University of South Dakota Athletics. Retrieved December 30, 2023.
^ "Josh Davis - Football Coach". University of South Dakota Athletics. Retrieved December 30, 2023.
^ "Dante Warren - Football Coach". University of South Dakota Athletics. Retrieved December 30, 2023.
^ "Miles Taylor - Football Coach". University of South Dakota Athletics. Retrieved December 30, 2023.
^ "Elijah Hodge - Football Coach". University of South Dakota Athletics. Retrieved December 30, 2023.
^ "Jeff Nady - Football Coach". University of South Dakota Athletics. Retrieved December 30, 2023.
^ "Craig Bagnell - Football Coach". University of South Dakota Athletics. Retrieved December 30, 2023.
^ "Rob Snyder - Football Coach". University of South Dakota Athletics. Retrieved December 30, 2023.
^ "Tim Morrison - Football Coach". University of South Dakota Athletics. Retrieved December 30, 2023.
^ "Steve Ferentz - Football Coach". University of South Dakota Athletics. Retrieved December 30, 2023.
^ "2023 Football Roster". University of South Dakota Athletics. Retrieved December 30, 2023.

[1] "South Dakota Football Schedule". FBSchedules. Retrieved March 24, 2023.

[2] "2023 Football Schedule". University of South Dakota Athletics. Retrieved March 24, 2023.

[3] "Bob Nielson - Football Coach". University of South Dakota Athletics. Retrieved December 30, 2023.

[4] "Travis Johansen - Football Coach". University of South Dakota Athletics. Retrieved December 30, 2023.

[5] "Josh Davis - Football Coach". University of South Dakota Athletics. Retrieved December 30, 2023.

[6] "Dante Warren - Football Coach". University of South Dakota Athletics. Retrieved December 30, 2023.

[7] "Miles Taylor - Football Coach". University of South Dakota Athletics. Retrieved December 30, 2023.

[8] "Elijah Hodge - Football Coach". University of South Dakota Athletics. Retrieved December 30, 2023.

[9] "Jeff Nady - Football Coach". University of South Dakota Athletics. Retrieved December 30, 2023.

[10] "Craig Bagnell - Football Coach". University of South Dakota Athletics. Retrieved December 30, 2023.

[11] "Rob Snyder - Football Coach". University of South Dakota Athletics. Retrieved December 30, 2023.

[12] "Tim Morrison - Football Coach". University of South Dakota Athletics. Retrieved December 30, 2023.

[13] "Steve Ferentz - Football Coach". University of South Dakota Athletics. Retrieved December 30, 2023.

[14] "2023 Football Roster". University of South Dakota Athletics. Retrieved December 30, 2023.

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v t e South Dakota Coyotes football
Venues	Darwin Inman Memorial Stadium (1926–1978) DakotaDome (1979–present)
Bowls & rivalries	Sitting Bull Trophy (North Dakota) South Dakota State
Culture & lore	"Hail, South Dakota!" Charlie Coyote Dakota Days
People	Head coaches NFL draftees
Seasons	1889 1890–1893 1894 1895–1897 1898 1899 1900 1901 1902 1903 1904 1905 1906 1907 1908 1909 1910 1911 1912 1913 1914 1915 1916 1917 1918 1919 1920 1921 1922 1923 1924 1925 1926 1927 1928 1929 1930 1931 1932 1933 1934 1935 1936 1937 1938 1939 1940 1941 1942 1943–1944 1945 1946 1947 1948 1949 1950 1951 1952 1953 1954 1955 1956 1957 1958 1959 1960 1961 1962 1963 1964 1965 1966 1967 1968 1969 1970 1971 1972 1973 1974 1975 1976 1977 1978 1979 1980 1981 1982 1983 1984 1985 1986 1987 1988 1989 1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022 2023 2024