The run begins
South Dakota earned a share of the North Central Conference championship.
The Coyote Brotherhood
History & Archives
From the championship teams of the 1970s through today, this archive preserves the teams, postseason runs, memorable games, and generations that shaped Coyote football.
This Yotes4Life archive begins with the 1973 season and moves forward. For earlier program history, visitors can explore the official University of South Dakota Athletics archives.
A Championship Era
1973 to 1976
South Dakota entered this stretch in the middle of a three year North Central Conference championship run. The Coyotes shared NCC titles in 1972, 1973, and 1974, with the 1973 team reaching the NCAA Division II playoffs.
A Yotes4Life connection: John Russell played linebacker at South Dakota from 1973 through 1976 and served as defensive captain in 1976.
Three straight NCC titles
A Championship Run
Under head coach Joe Salem, South Dakota earned shares of the North Central Conference championship in 1972, 1973 and 1974.
NCC title and postseason
The Coyotes finished 8 and 3 overall, 6 and 1 in conference play, earned a share of the NCC championship and qualified for the NCAA Division II playoffs.
Three in a row
South Dakota earned another share of the North Central Conference championship, completing a three season title run.
25 and 7Overall across 1972, 1973 and 1974
17 and 4Conference play across the three seasons
The championship run began in 1972. John Russell's playing years listed on this page begin in 1973.
National contender era
1985 & 1986
Two consecutive postseason runs carried South Dakota from the 1985 national semifinals to the 1986 NCAA Division II national championship game.
1985 Semifinal Run
South Dakota over Central State13 to 10
North Dakota State over South Dakota16 to 7
South Dakota reached the NCAA Division II national semifinals.
1986 Championship Game Season
The Coyotes finished 11 and 3, set a school record for wins in a season at that time and won nine consecutive games.
South Dakota over UC Davis26 to 23
South Dakota over Troy State42 to 28
North Dakota State over South Dakota27 to 7
The win over Troy State came in the national semifinals at the DakotaDome. South Dakota then advanced to the NCAA Division II national championship game.
Championship and playoff return
2005 & 2006
A conference championship season was followed by South Dakota's first Division II playoff appearance since 1986.
A share of the NCC title
South Dakota finished 9 and 2 and earned a share of the North Central Conference championship, USD's first football conference championship since 1978.
The Coyotes defeated North Dakota 42 to 30 in the DakotaDome to secure a share of the title.
2005 Archive ImageTeam, title game, program or approved personal photograph.
The playoffs return
South Dakota returned to the Division II playoffs for the first time since 1986.
USD defeated Northwood 31 to 28 in overtime for South Dakota's first playoff victory in 20 years, then lost to eventual national champion Grand Valley State in the second round.
2006 Archive ImagePlayoff, team, program or approved personal photograph.
Games former Coyotes still talk about
Games We Remember
A collection of verified scores and moments preserved as program style story cards rather than a live scoreboard.
2010
South Dakota41
Minnesota38
Road victory over the Big Ten's Minnesota Golden Gophers.
2011
South Dakota30
No. 1 Eastern Washington17
Eastern Washington was the defending FCS national champion.
2015
South Dakota24
North Dakota State21
Played in Fargo.
2017
South Dakota35
Bowling Green27
FBS road victory.
2021
South Dakota23
No. 7 South Dakota State20
That season USD later hosted its first home FCS playoff game.
2023
South Dakota24
No. 2 North Dakota State19
Played in Fargo. USD eventually reached the FCS quarterfinals and finished 10 and 3.
2024
South Dakota29
No. 1 North Dakota State28
South Dakota scored two touchdowns in the final minutes to complete the comeback. The victory secured a share of USD's first Missouri Valley Football Conference championship.
Postseason across generations
The Road Forward
Eight postseason markers connect the playing eras represented in this Yotes4Life archive.
1973Division II playoffs
1985Division II national semifinals
1986Division II national championship game
2006Division II second round
2017FCS second round
2021FCS first round
2023FCS quarterfinals
2024FCS semifinals
The modern run
2023 & 2024
Back to back seasons that carried South Dakota into the later rounds of the FCS playoffs.
FCS Quarterfinals
- 10 and 3 record
- FCS quarterfinal appearance
- Road win at No. 2 North Dakota State
2023 PhotographReserved for an approved modern era image.
FCS Semifinals
- 11 and 3 record
- Share of the program's first Missouri Valley Football Conference championship
- FCS semifinal appearance
- Playoff wins over Tarleton State and UC Davis
2024 PhotographReserved for an approved modern era image.
Help build the archive
Your History Belongs Here
This archive can grow through verified material shared by former players and the people connected to Coyote football.
- Old team photographs
- Programs
- Newspaper clippings
- Personal photographs
- Stories
- Game memories
- Reunion material
- Other verified historical material
Earlier Coyote History
South Dakota football history extends well before 1973. Visitors looking for earlier teams, records, championships and official historical information can explore the University of South Dakota Athletics football archives.