South Dakota Pregame Thread

[purpleclone]

2025 FCS Top 25: No. 4 South Dakota Football Preview

South Dakota ranks No. 4 in HERO Sports’ FCS Preseason Top 25. Here’s a look at the 2025 USD football squad.

herosports.com

Hero sports did a good preview of South Dakota. Sounds like their coach retired kind of unexpectedly and they lost more players than expected in the spring portal including; 3 starting offensive linemen, former ISU receiver Quaron Adams, and their top tackler from last year.

It also looks like Tyler Miller’s brother/relative, Jesse Miller, is a TE for them but hasn’t played much. Will be a RS sophomore this year.

 

[BillBrasky4Cy]

Without a doubt, ISU is closing the gap, but Campbell has been here a number of years, and the program has never been more successful than where he has taken them, and we are still struggling to sell out games in advance. Ticket prices did rise, the economy is struggling but through all of that, we should not be finding it this difficult to get sell outs by now.

Maybe it comes back to that lost generation of fans from the 80s and 90s that are now adults and should have the money to purchase tickets but just aren't, because they grew up in a time when ISU struggled to get wins, and therefore are just not fans or became EIU fans.

Iowa completely OWNS the eastern third of the state, which is also the most densely populated. Cedar Falls/Waterloo, Cedar Rapids, Quad Cities are all within an hour and a half plus you have the DSM metro under 2. Iowa State pulls from a much broader footprint.

 

[Drew0311]

Actually expecting a very good season with Bouman coming back.

Well this assistant coach is not expecting a great season. They may have a QB back but the rest of the team is not as strong.

 

[loyalsons4evertrue]

Without a doubt, ISU is closing the gap, but Campbell has been here a number of years, and the program has never been more successful than where he has taken them, and we are still struggling to sell out games in advance. Ticket prices did rise, the economy is struggling but through all of that, we should not be finding it this difficult to get sell outs by now.

Maybe it comes back to that lost generation of fans from the 80s and 90s that are now adults and should have the money to purchase tickets but just aren't, because they grew up in a time when ISU struggled to get wins, and therefore are just not fans or became EIU fans.

Trust me, I find it odd too. Plus, we do have the luxury of being in very close proximity to Iowa's largest city and metro area and where I'd assume most of our fans reside and drive up from.

This may sound like cope but I do think not having marquee home games all the time certainly plays a factor.

Now this year, I feel like our home slate is actually really good. South Dakota is a good FCS program and in close proximity to Ames. Iowa is Iowa...that game is always sold out. Arizona maybe isn't the sexiest matchup on paper but we do have a whiteout theme for that game and the whiteout against Baylor was a top tier atmosphere. BYU may or may not be good this year but Mormon's are EVERYWHERE. Expect them to be the most well represented in terms of visiting fans other than Iowa this season. Defending Big 12 Champs Arizona State are in town as well....that is a revenge game and if they are playing well, could be a huge game for conference implications. And I think Kansas will rebound this year...they've obviously had our number as of late but that should be a good game too.

 

[inCyteful]

Yup; replacing a lot of coaching staff as well, so hopefully we can take advantage and jump on them early. I believe Blum said many of their transfers came from the Power 4? Their fan forums are high on Bouman being the GOAT, but you'd think if he was so great a Div I school would have promoted him $$$.

Coyote Football |

Discuss South Dakota Coyote Football

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I am sure he is no Grankowski

 

[Marcelason78]

Iowa State -15.5 this morning.

 

[werdnamanhill]

I think people need to come to terms with the fact that there are way way more Iowa fans than ISU fans. I think the Jack is just a few thousand seats too big for our size of a fandom.

The ratio in Iowa especially has improved as of late, but still a long long way to go.

 

[CYEATHAWK]

We are coming off the best season in school history with a large part of the offense and defense returning, and we have sold out few if any games as of today. I get that people spent their budget on going to Ireland, but you would think that we have enough fans to do that and still sell out every game by now. I am not sure that we do. While over east they sold out most of their games last month.

Well, spend a wad of money for 5-6 games in a place that doesn't sell beer.........or for one game where drinking is encouraged.

Priorities man.

 

[yoteforever]

Good afternoon. I’m a huge Cyclone fan but also USD as well. Looking forward to Saturday in one regard, and totally not in another.

Just chiming in to have discussion about this game. USD is very much looking forward to this game. The finished last year losing to Montana State in the semi finals at Bozeman.

We did lose a lot of guys from last year to the portal, but I feel pretty strongly they did a good job filling the void. The offensive line is going to be the big question if the Coyotes can even hang with Iowa State. Our skill guys are good, but certainly not as good as the Cyclones. USD’s one hope of having a shot is if the Ireland trip last week with all the travel and the fact the Squawks are next Saturday is enough to create the “trap game” mentality.

I would love to talk about this game throughout the week with you all. It’s our opener with a new head coach and a lot of new faces. Our recruiting coordinator came from Iowa State. He was on Matt’s staff for 3 years. He learned a lot from Matt and assistant coaches. Still has a strong affinity for Iowa State.

I get the fact no one’s super excited about this game except for me, but still it has to be played. We are 15.5 Dogs and I would’ve guessed it to be more. Anyway, if you have any questions fire away.

 

[RagingCloner]

Good afternoon. I’m a huge Cyclone fan but also USD as well. Looking forward to Saturday in one regard, and totally not in another.

Just chiming in to have discussion about this game. USD is very much looking forward to this game. The finished last year losing to Montana State in the semi finals at Bozeman.

We did lose a lot of guys from last year to the portal, but I feel pretty strongly they did a good job filling the void. The offensive line is going to be the big question if the Coyotes can even hang with Iowa State. Our skill guys are good, but certainly not as good as the Cyclones. USD’s one hope of having a shot is if the Ireland trip last week with all the travel and the fact the Squawks are next Saturday is enough to create the “trap game” mentality.

I would love to talk about this game throughout the week with you all. It’s our opener with a new head coach and a lot of new faces. Our recruiting coordinator came from Iowa State. He was on Matt’s staff for 3 years. He learned a lot from Matt and assistant coaches. Still has a strong affinity for Iowa State.

I get the fact no one’s super excited about this game except for me, but still it has to be played. We are 15.5 Dogs and I would’ve guessed it to be more. Anyway, if you have any questions fire away.

Who is the stud RB that you guys got? I feel like he was a P4 player that transferred down? Or am I remembering that wrong?

 

[bluestarcyclone]

I think it will go how these games usually go:

The starters on the best FCS teams are really good players, guys who could play on a lot of P4 teams. So maybe they hang with you early. The problem is your starters can't play every snap, and when the backups come in, the P4 team still has P4-caliber players on the field, the FCS team usually doesn't.

Which is also another advantage for the SEC playing its FCS teams in november as injuries mount

 

[demoncore1031]

2025 FCS Top 25: No. 4 South Dakota Football Preview

South Dakota ranks No. 4 in HERO Sports’ FCS Preseason Top 25. Here’s a look at the 2025 USD football squad.

herosports.com

Hero sports did a good preview of South Dakota. Sounds like their coach retired kind of unexpectedly and they lost more players than expected in the spring portal including; 3 starting offensive linemen, former ISU receiver Quaron Adams, and their top tackler from last year.

It also looks like Tyler Miller’s brother/relative, Jesse Miller, is a TE for them but hasn’t played much. Will be a RS sophomore this year.

One of their D-linemen transfered out who was really good. Pretty sure he was FCS defensive player of the year.

I saw South Dakota play New Mexico a few years back and they had a ton of Iowa kids on their roster.

Mason Ellen has a bother that plays there as a redshirt freshman. Asa Newsome from K-State has a brother playing there, from Waverly IA. And they have a player named Harry Johnson. Poor guy. Former Hawkeye Jeff Bowie is there as well.

I watched quite a few Coyotes games over the last few years. They run the ball really well but lost their starting RB. The backup is still there and he's really good. Bouman is a game manager at QB. Doesn't put up big numbers, doesn't turn the ball over, doesn't really scramble at all. We need to bring a lot of blitzes and make him uncomfortable.

 

[yoteforever]

His name is Charles Pierre. Came from Orlando area. He’s been at USD now for 4 years. He’s a redshirt Junior. He and a guy named Travis Theis shared responsibilities last year, but Theis is with Montreal of the CFL now. Theis was a bull, Pierre more of a slasher and speed guy. Nice young man. Solid running back for sure.

 

[intrepid27]

Drunk or lit?

The two are not mutually exclusive.

 

[BWRhasnoAC]

We are coming off the best season in school history with a large part of the offense and defense returning, and we have sold out few if any games as of today. I get that people spent their budget on going to Ireland, but you would think that we have enough fans to do that and still sell out every game by now. I am not sure that we do. While over east they sold out most of their games last month.

Tickets went up considerably this year. I decided to save the money because of that plus my Dad has a hard time walking that much these days.

 

[ZorkClone]

Good afternoon. I’m a huge Cyclone fan but also USD as well. Looking forward to Saturday in one regard, and totally not in another.

Just chiming in to have discussion about this game. USD is very much looking forward to this game. The finished last year losing to Montana State in the semi finals at Bozeman.

We did lose a lot of guys from last year to the portal, but I feel pretty strongly they did a good job filling the void. The offensive line is going to be the big question if the Coyotes can even hang with Iowa State. Our skill guys are good, but certainly not as good as the Cyclones. USD’s one hope of having a shot is if the Ireland trip last week with all the travel and the fact the Squawks are next Saturday is enough to create the “trap game” mentality.

I would love to talk about this game throughout the week with you all. It’s our opener with a new head coach and a lot of new faces. Our recruiting coordinator came from Iowa State. He was on Matt’s staff for 3 years. He learned a lot from Matt and assistant coaches. Still has a strong affinity for Iowa State.

I get the fact no one’s super excited about this game except for me, but still it has to be played. We are 15.5 Dogs and I would’ve guessed it to be more. Anyway, if you have any questions fire away.

1. Should we expect many Yote fans Saturday?
2. Do you expect much of an offence or defense change of strategy from all the change of starters and staff?

 

[MartyFine]

Good afternoon. I’m a huge Cyclone fan but also USD as well. Looking forward to Saturday in one regard, and totally not in another.

Just chiming in to have discussion about this game. USD is very much looking forward to this game. The finished last year losing to Montana State in the semi finals at Bozeman.

We did lose a lot of guys from last year to the portal, but I feel pretty strongly they did a good job filling the void. The offensive line is going to be the big question if the Coyotes can even hang with Iowa State. Our skill guys are good, but certainly not as good as the Cyclones. USD’s one hope of having a shot is if the Ireland trip last week with all the travel and the fact the Squawks are next Saturday is enough to create the “trap game” mentality.

I would love to talk about this game throughout the week with you all. It’s our opener with a new head coach and a lot of new faces. Our recruiting coordinator came from Iowa State. He was on Matt’s staff for 3 years. He learned a lot from Matt and assistant coaches. Still has a strong affinity for Iowa State.

I get the fact no one’s super excited about this game except for me, but still it has to be played. We are 15.5 Dogs and I would’ve guessed it to be more. Anyway, if you have any questions fire away.

Anyone that thinks this will not be a competitive ball game into the second half is fooling themselves.

 

[RagingCloner]

Anyone that thinks this will not be a competitive ball game into the second half is fooling themselves.

When you say into the second half, how far into the 3rd quarter are you referring?

 

[MeowingCows]

Anyone that thinks this will not be a competitive ball game into the second half is fooling themselves.

I won't be surprised to see us taking a lower risk, lower intensity approach to playcalling and snapcounts due to coming back from the Ireland game travel and still making sure we're at peak for the following weekend. Couldn't close the playbook against KSU, but probably can afford to against USD.

 

[purpleclone]

One of their D-linemen transfered out who was really good. Pretty sure he was FCS defensive player of the year.

I saw South Dakota play New Mexico a few years back and they had a ton of Iowa kids on their roster.

Mason Ellen has a bother that plays there as a redshirt freshman. Asa Newsome from K-State has a brother playing there, from Waverly IA. And they have a player named Harry Johnson. Poor guy. Former Hawkeye Jeff Bowie is there as well.

I watched quite a few Coyotes games over the last few years. They run the ball really well but lost their starting RB. The backup is still there and he's really good. Bouman is a game manager at QB. Doesn't put up big numbers, doesn't turn the ball over, doesn't really scramble at all. We need to bring a lot of blitzes and make him uncomfortable.

Wouldn’t call Charles Pierre Jr. a backup, he was first team All-MVFC last year.