The South Dakota Coyotes are kicking off their 2026 football season this Saturday against the Central Connecticut State Blue Devils, with Matt Vitzthum making his debut as head coach. This marks the first meeting between the two teams, and the game will be broadcast on ESPN+ and Midco Sports. With momentum from three straight seasons of over ten wins, the Coyotes are ranked No. 12 in the nation. Notably, Vitzthum could become the first Division I coach in school history to win his opening game. The matchup coincides with Ag Appreciation Day, and fans are encouraged to wear black.

By the Numbers
  • USD has a 29-11 record at the DakotaDome as a ranked team.
  • Charles Pierre Jr. is 181 yards away from becoming the 15th Coyote with 2,000 career rushing yards.
Yes, But

The Coyotes face the challenge of transitioning to a new quarterback, a critical position, as they aim to maintain their winning streak. Additionally, the pressure is on Vitzthum to secure a win in his first outing as head coach, something previous coaches have struggled to achieve.

State of Play
  • South Dakota has named Tysen Boze, Gabriel Hardman, and Keyondray Jones-Logan as season-long captains.
  • Seven freshmen are expected to make their first-year starts in the opener against CCSU.
What's Next

Should the Coyotes secure a win over CCSU, it could provide a significant confidence boost heading into a challenging season. Future matchups will then likely assess how well Vitzthum's strategies translate into successful gameplay.

Bottom Line

The Coyotes' opener presents a pivotal moment for the program, as they start a new coaching era while aiming to uphold recent success. Fans and players alike are eager to see if Vitzthum can set a positive tone for the rest of the season.