The South Dakota State Jackrabbits and South Dakota Coyotes are just over one week away from putting boot to ball to begin the 2026 season.

Both teams will open at home, as the Yotes play host to Central Connecticut State on Saturday, August 29th at 1:00, while the Jacks take on Stetson under the lights in Brookings at 6:00.

Here's your nuts-and-bolts preview of the programs that are set to make their way to the Dakotas this week for the season-opening contests.

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Broadcast info for both games:

Stetson @ SDSU - Jackrabbit SN (Radio), Midco Sports/Keloland/ESPN+ (TV)

Central Connecticut State @ USD - Coyote SN (Radio), Midco Sports/ESPN+ (TV)

First, we'll take a look at Central Connecticut State.

Central Connecticut State Blue Devils

Location - New Britain, Connecticut

Conference - Northeast Conference

Coach - Adam Lechtenberg (4th Season, 18-19 Record, 12-8 Conference)

Two-time NEC Coach of the Year in 2024 and 2025, leading the Blue Devils to NEC crowns in those years and the program’s first-ever back-to-back FCS Playoff appearances.

Record Last Season - 8-5, 6-1 Conf.- Lost @ Rhode Island in First Round of Playoffs

Last Season Stats:

Offense: Yds/Game - 381.6, Rush/Game - 139.4, Pass/Game - 242.2, Pts/Game - 26.7

Defense: Yds allowed/Game - 375.8, Rush allowed/Game - 145.6, Pass allowed/Game - 230.2, Pts allowed/Game- 22.9

Notable Nugget - Return a pair of impactful DBs, Eric Jackson and Chris Jean (Preseason All-American). R-So duo combined for 141 tackles, 2 forced fumbles, 4 interceptions, and 15 pass breakups.

Here's what USD play-by-play broadcaster John Thayer had to say about the Blue Devils:

Kickoff between the Yotes and Blue Devils is set for 1:00 on Saturday, August 29th from inside the Dakota Dome. For a full preview and for tickets, visit GoYotes.com.

Stetson Hatters

Location - DeLand, Florida

Conference - Pioneer Football League

What the heck is a 'Hatter?'

Coach - Mike Jasper (2nd Season, 3-9 Overall, 2-6 Conference)

Jasper, who spent three seasons as an offensive lineman in the National Football League, posted a record of 44-20 in six seasons as the head football coach at his alma mater, Bethel (TN) University.

Record Last Season - 3-9 Overall, 2-6 Conference

Last Season Stats:

Offense: Yds/Game - 311.8, Rush/Game - 161.0, Pass/Game - 150.8, Pts/Game - 18.8

Defense: Yds allowed/Game - 388.3, Rush allowed/Game - 169.3, Pass allowed/Game - 218.9, Pts allowed/Game- 39.1

Notable Nugget: The Hatters have seven players on Phil Steele's All-Pioneer Football League squad:

Offensive lineman Gabe Snyder, linebacker Shug Bentley and kicker Daniel Holbrook were each selected to the Preseason All-PFL Second Team, while fullback Michael Dempsey, wide receiver Dylan Redmon, offensive lineman Jalen Foster and linebacker Kyle Elphick earned Third Team recognition.

Thoughts from SDSU play-by-play broadcaster Tyler Merriam: