University of South Dakota Athletics

The 1986 USD football team had one of the best seasons in school history under Hall of Fame Coach Dave Triplett. USD finished the season 11-3, setting a new school record for wins in a season, and advanced all the way to the NCAA Division II title game. That team produced three All-Americans (Eric Maxson, Jerry Gillinsky and Tim McFarland), one NCC MVP (Gillinsky) and six all-NCC players overall. In addition, the Coyotes won nine straight games that season, including seven to close out the regular season, to earn a playoff berth, where they beat UC Davis and Troy State in a pair of postseason thrillers before falling to rival NDSU in the national title game.