VERMILLION, S.D. --- The Coyote Radio Network will increase its radio broadcast presence for South Dakota football starting with Thursday night's season opener against Quincy. A total of four stations throughout the state will carry USD football action live all throughout the 2006 season.

"I want to thank Culhane Communications for their hard work and efforts to see that Coyote fans across the state will have access to their favorite team on the radio," said USD Director of Athletics Joel Nielsen.

KTVK 1570-AM of Vermillion/Yankton will continue to operate as the flagship station of the network. The Sioux Falls market is represented by KELO 1320- AM. Pierre's KSQP 1450-AM out of the South Dakota state capitol joins the Coyote Radio Network this year, as does KJRV 93.3-FM of Mitchell/Huron to complete the network.

These four stations will form a far-reaching signal that will cover the eastern part of South Dakota through most of the central portion into parts of the western side of the state. The USD football broadcast will also reach into northeastern Nebraska, northwestern Iowa and southwestern Minnesota as well.

"This network and the area it covers fits well into our role of representing the state of South Dakota as its flagship institution," said Coyote head coach Ed Meierkort.

Plans call for KVTK 1570-AM to start pre-game coverage two-and-one-half hours prior to kickoff each week, with affiliate stations joining the show 60 minutes before the start of the game. In addition, all four stations are planning on carrying approximately 30 minutes of the post-game wrap-up. KVTK will continue its post-game show for an additional hour after the affiliates sign off with additional observations about the Coyote game, a look around the North Central Conference and also the national Top 25 action.

South Dakota is a unanimous Top 15 selection in all NCAA Division II preseason polls, including its #13-ranking in the AFCA national balloting. Last year, the Coyotes went 9-2 for the second consecutive season and captured a share of the NCC title for the first time since 1978. Kick-off for the Quincy game Thursday night is slated for 7 p.m.