The 2026 South Dakota Coyotes football team represents the University of South Dakota as a member of the Missouri Valley Football Conference (MVFC) during the 2026 NCAA Division I FCS football season. The Coyotes are led by first-year head coach Matt Vitzthum, who takes over for former coach Travis Johansen who left the program to become the defensive coordinator at Rutgers. Vitzthum was promoted from being the co-offensive coordinator last season, and will be assisted by second year offensive coordinator Tim Morrison and second year defensive coordinator Billy Kirch. The Coyotes play home games at the DakotaDome in Vermillion, South Dakota.
Preseason MVFC poll
The Missouri Valley Football Conference released its preseason poll on July 14, 2026, voted on by league athletic directors, coaches, and media members. The Coyotes were predicted to finish fifth in the conference.
Schedule
Rankings
Game summaries
Central Connecticut
Statistics CCSUSDAK First downs 15 25 Plays–yards 64–250 57–594 Rushes–yards 33–135 33–267 Passing yards 115 327 Passing: comp–att–int 16–31–0 18–24–0 Turnovers 0 1 Time of possession 32:36 27:24 Team Category Player Statistics Central Connecticut Passing Conner Kenyon 9/18, 81 yards, TD Rushing Brett Griffis 8 carries, 43 yards Receiving Michael Trovarelli 5 receptions, 45 yards, TD South Dakota PassingAustyn Modrzewski 16/20, 304 yards, 6 TD Rushing 2 carries, 81 yards, TD Receiving Keyondray Jones-Logan 2 receptions, 103 yards, TD
at Northern Colorado
Statistics SDAKUNCO First downs 22 22 Plays–yards 56–392 72–377 Rushes–yards 34–214 34–111 Passing yards 392 377 Passing: comp–att–int 14–22–0 24–38–0 Turnovers 0 0 Time of possession 24:16 35:44 Team Category Player Statistics South Dakota Passing Austyn Modrzewski 14/22, 178 yards, 2 TD Rushing Keyondray Jones-Logan 10 carries, 55 yards Receiving Brayden White 4 receptions, 48 yards, TD Northern Colorado Passing Kenny Leuth 19/29, 201 yards, TD Rushing Mathias Price 10 carries, 34 yards Receiving Trey Olsen 3 receptions, 61 yards, TD
Eastern Washington
Statistics EWUSDAK First downs 19 23 Plays–yards 69–342 67–517 Rushes–yards 33–125 42–272 Passing yards 217 245 Passing: comp–att–int 20–36–1 16–25–1 Turnovers 2 1 Time of possession 24:05 35:55 Team Category Player Statistics Eastern Washington Passing Nate Bell 20/36, 217 yards, 2 TD, INT Rushing Malik Dotson 12 carries, 52 yards, TD Receiving Wesley Garrett 7 receptions, 109 yards, TD South Dakota Passing Austyn Modrzewski 16/24, 245 yards, 3 TD, INT Rushing Charles Pierre Jr. 15 carries, 138 yards, 2 TD Receiving Tennel Bryant 3 receptions, 120 yards, 2 TD
at Boise State (FBS)
Statistics SDAKBOIS First downs 11 29 Plays–yards 50–279 79–533 Rushes–yards 22–36 48–325 Passing yards 243 208 Passing: comp–att–int 12–28–2 22–31–0 Turnovers 2 2 Time of possession 20:34 39:26 Team Category Player Statistics South Dakota Passing Austyn Modrzeski 12/27, 243 yards, 3 TD, 2 INT Rushing Charles Pierre Jr. 14 carries, 47 yards Receiving Tennel Bryant 3 receptions, 104 yards Boise State Passing Maddux Madsen 22/31, 208 yards, 2 TD Rushing Dylan Riley 26 carries, 198 yards, 2 TD Receiving Rasean Jones 8 receptions, 95 yards, TD
at No. 11 Youngstown State
Statistics SDAKYSU First downs 17 26 Plays–yards 60 65 Rushes–yards 185–38 343–48 Passing yards 147 159 Passing: comp–att–int 16–22–2 13–17–0 Turnovers 3 0 Time of possession 31:37 28:23 Team Category Player Statistics South Dakota Passing Austyn Modrzewski 16/22, 147 yards, TD, 2 INT Rushing Carson Fletcher 8 carries, 59 yards, TD Receiving Brayden White 5 receptions, 37 yards Youngstown State Passing Beau Brungard 13/17, 159 yards, TD Rushing Beau Brungard 28 carries, 170 yards, 3 TD Receiving Jaden Gilbert 3 receptions, 41 yards
Indiana State
Statistics INSTSDAK First downs Plays–yards Rushes–yards Passing yards Passing: comp–att–int Turnovers Time of possession Team Category Player Statistics Indiana State Passing Rushing Receiving South Dakota Passing Rushing Receiving
No. 25 Southern Illinois
Statistics SIUSDAK First downs Plays–yards Rushes–yards Passing yards Passing: comp–att–int Turnovers Time of possession Team Category Player Statistics Southern Illinois Passing Rushing Receiving South Dakota Passing Rushing Receiving
at Murray State
Statistics SDAKMUR First downs Plays–yards Rushes–yards Passing yards Passing: comp–att–int Turnovers Time of possession Team Category Player Statistics South Dakota Passing Rushing Receiving Murray State Passing Rushing Receiving
North Dakota (Sitting Bull Trophy)
Statistics UNDSDAK First downs Plays–yards Rushes–yards Passing yards Passing: comp–att–int Turnovers Time of possession Team Category Player Statistics North Dakota Passing Rushing Receiving South Dakota Passing Rushing Receiving
at South Dakota State (rivalry)
Statistics SDAKSDST First downs Plays–yards Rushes–yards Passing yards Passing: comp–att–int Turnovers Time of possession Team Category Player Statistics South Dakota Passing Rushing Receiving South Dakota State Passing Rushing Receiving
Northern Iowa
Statistics UNISDAK First downs Plays–yards Rushes–yards Passing yards Passing: comp–att–int Turnovers Time of possession Team Category Player Statistics Northern Iowa Passing Rushing Receiving South Dakota Passing Rushing Receiving
at Illinois State
Statistics SDAKILST First downs Plays–yards Rushes–yards Passing yards Passing: comp–att–int Turnovers Time of possession Team Category Player Statistics South Dakota Passing Rushing Receiving Illinois State Passing Rushing Receiving
References