The state of South Dakota might be one of the most underrated places in the country when it comes to college football. The state has several notable programs, including the South Dakota Coyotes. Even though being an FCS program makes it easy to find cheap South Dakota football tickets, the Coyotes are not to be ignored. They’ve excelled as members of the Missouri Valley Conference and even sent a few players to the NFL over the years. Based on the demand for last-minute South Dakota football tickets in recent years, the Coyotes are worth watching closely and a program that is on the rise.

Almost There

For much of South Dakota’s football history, the Coyotes played at the lower levels, including a stint at the Division II level from 1974 to 2007. But that doesn’t mean there weren’t good times for South Dakota football. In fact, the Coyotes made deep runs in the Division II playoffs in both 1985 and 1986. Alas, they lost to border rival North Dakota State both times, falling 16-7 in the national semifinals in 1985 and losing the 1986 National Championship Game 27-7. But despite those losses, the Coyotes proved that they could have a successful football program in South Dakota, ultimately making the jump to the FCS level in 2008.

On the Prowl

Since the move to the FCS level in 2008, the Coyotes have continued to move up the ladder, settling into the Missouri Valley Conference in 2012. In 2017, South Dakota took the next step by qualifying for the FCS Playoffs for the first time in program history. The Coyotes even won their First Round game that year, knocking off FCS powerhouse Nicholls State before a heartbreaking loss to Sam Houston State in the Second Round. The Coyotes returned to the FCS Playoffs in 2021, further establishing themselves as a program on the rise and a force to be reckoned with inside the Missouri Valley.