Vermillion, S.D. - Five home games, including a Dakota Days clash with North Dakota, highlight the University of South Dakota football's 2010 schedule, which was released by Head Coach Ed Meierkort today. The Coyotes will play 11 total games during the season, including two Football Bowl Subdivision foes and eight FCS opponents.

"Our players are looking forward to next year's schedule," Meierkort said. "The renewal of the North Dakota State rivalry as well home games against Northern Iowa and Northern Colorado are games our fans are sure to be excited about."

South Dakota opens with two challenging FBS road games by traveling to Central Florida and Minnesota on Sept. 4 and 11, respectively, both of which qualified for bowl games after the 2009 season.

"When the U decided to jump to the FCS level we knew that playing FBS opponents would be vital for us financially as well as increase our visibility," Meierkort said. "To have two programs agree to play us in just the third year is a tribute to how quickly this program is rising. Many schools take a full five years before they are able to play FBS opponents. The university's commitment is being recognized nationwide."

The Coyotes open the home portion of the 2010 schedule by hosting Northwestern Oklahoma State on Sept. 18, before renewing acquaintances with North Dakota State in Fargo the following weekend. North Dakota, a long-time rival of USD, will be the Coyotes' Dakota Days foe on Oct 2. South Dakota travels to UC Davis on Oct. 9 to begin Great West Conference play, before hosting perennial power Northern Iowa on Oct. 16.

"The DakotaDome is great place for us to play and it's exciting to see Northern Iowa, Northern Colorado, North Dakota and Cal Poly come to the Dome so our fans can see quality FCS football," Meierkort said. "I think it's a compliment to our progress at the FCS level that other FCS programs will put us on the schedule and come to the DakotaDome."

USD visits Southern Utah on Oct. 23 and hosts back-to-back home games for the first time against Northern Colorado on Oct. 30 and Cal Poly on Nov. 6. The Coyotes conclude their season at Lamar on Nov. 13.

Times for each game will be published on USDCoyotes.com as they become available.

South Dakota 2010 Football Schedule Sep. 4: @ Central Florida Sept. 11: @ Minnesota Sept. 18: Northwestern Oklahoma State Sept. 25: @ North Dakota State Oct. 2: North Dakota (Dakota Days) Oct. 9: @ UC Davis Oct. 16: Northern Iowa Oct. 23: @ Southern Utah Oct. 30: Northern Colorado Nov. 6: Cal Poly Nov. 13: @ Lamar