South Dakota Coyotes to Host No. 8 North Dakota Fighting Hawks in Rivalry Game
The South Dakota Coyotes will face off against the No. 8/10 North Dakota Fighting Hawks on Saturday, marking the 103rd meeting in a historic rivalry that coincides with the 137th anniversary of statehood for both Dakotas.
The game, scheduled for 1 p.m. from the DakotaDome in Vermillion, will be streamed on ESPN+ and Midco Sports, with radio coverage beginning at noon on the Coyote Sports Network. This contest is particularly significant as a key matchup in the Missouri Valley Football Conference, potentially impacting playoff seeding.
This year’s game features special recognition of Native American Heritage, with the Coyotes wearing helmet decals displaying “Sungmanitu” – the Lakota word for Coyote – alongside tribal nation flags. South Dakota boasts the MVFC lead in field goals made (12) and red zone scoring efficiency (92.59%). Running back L.J. Phillips Jr. currently ranks second in the FCS in net rushing yards with 1,190. You can learn more about the history of the Dakota people at Smithsonian Magazine.
The Fighting Hawks hold the all-time series lead 64-33-5, but the Coyotes have won the last two meetings. South Dakota is 17-4 in their last 21 MVFC games. Officials stated a win on Saturday would tie head coach Bob Johansen for fifth-best in program history for wins as a first-year coach. More information about the team can be found on the official athletics website.
