The USD Coyotes had a slow start to the season, opening up with an 0-2 record, and it took until mid-October before the team could claim a winning record.

Since that time, USD has won five of its last six games, and at 8-4 earned the #11 seed in the FCS Playoff field.

USD will see a familiar foe in the first round at home on Saturday, as the Drake Bulldogs roll back into the DakotaDome.

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The two programs met back in Week 4 in Vermillion, a 42-21 victory for USD.

Per GoYotes.com:

VERMILLION, S.D. — Winners of six of their last seven to secure second-place in the Missouri Valley Football Conference (MVFC), the No. 11 national seed South Dakota football team opens the 2025 FCS Playoffs with a home rematch against the Pioneer Football League champion Drake University on Saturday, November 29 from the DakotaDome.

The game will be streamed on ESPN+ with Jason Ross Jr. (PxP) and Tyoka Jackson (analyst) on the call for the First Round clash. You can listen to the voice of the Coyotes John Thayer on the Coyote Sports Network beginning at 11 a.m. for the pre-game show with former Coyote Gary Culver joining Thayer for the call at 12 p.m.

YOTES IN THE FCS PLAYOFFS

South Dakota makes their fifth trip to the FCS Playoffs this season (2017, 2021, 2023-25) and third-straight trip.
It's the first trip for head coach Travis Johansen in his first season as head coach, though he's been a part of four total trips now as defensive coordinator and/or head coach.
Five of the eight total FCS Playoff games for South Dakota have been played in the DakotaDome with Saturday being the sixth.
QB Aidan Bouman is just one of two USD QBs to play in multiple FCS Playoff games (Streveler, 2017). He's the only QB to throw for 1,000+ yards in the playoffs.
South Dakota is undefeated in FCS Playoff games when they score first (3-0), lead at halftime (3-0), force 3+ takeaways (3-0), and/or holds the ball for 30+ minutes of game action (2-0).

Here's more on the Drake Bulldogs in advance of the matchup on Saturday:

Record

8-3 Overall, 7-1 Pioneer (2 Straight Wins, 0-2 vs. Ranked Teams)

Key Stats

Offense - 26.1 PPG, 200.6 Rush YPG, 22 Rush TDs, 165.4 Pass YPG, 12 Pass TDs

Defense - 15.8 PPGa, 129.0 Rush YPGa, 14 Rush TDa, 185.7 Pass YPGa, 8 Pass TDa

Turnovers - Offense - 6 INT, 6 FL - Defense - 9 INT, 6 FR (+3 Turnover Margin)

Key Players:

Offense - Freshman Running Back Nick Herman (Chicago, Ill.)