VERMILLION, S.D.—Senior linebacker Keyen Lage, senior wide receiver Eric Shufford, junior quarterback Ryan Saeger and junior running back Trevor Bouma have been named captains of South Dakota's football team for the upcoming season as voted on by their peers. The team will also pick a special teams player each week to serve as a fifth captain on game days.

Lage was selected a captain for the second consecutive season. The Sioux Falls native has started 26 consecutive games at linebacker dating back to his true freshman season of 2012. Lage was named Joe Salem Defensive Player of the Year by the team last year after compiling 66 tackles including 5.5 for loss. He has 166 tackles and 6.0 sacks in 35 collegiate games.

Shufford, a native of Rialto, Calif., was an honorable mention all-MVFC choice a year ago after leading the Coyotes with 53 catches for 699 yards and five touchdowns. Shufford was named Henry Heider Most Valuable Player and Dave Triplett Offensive Player of the Year by the team last season, which was his first season as a Coyote. He also returned punts and kickoffs for USD.

Saeger completed 43-of-80 passes for 570 yards and two touchdowns in four starts last season. The Hartland, Wis., native also ran for 200 yards and four scores in those starts. On the season, Saeger played in six games and passed for 660 yards and three touchdowns. He threw a touchdown and ran for two more in the Coyotes' win against nationally-ranked Northern Arizona.

Bouma, a native of LeMars, Iowa, has run for 1,289 yards and six touchdowns in his first two seasons as a Coyote. He led the team with 781 yards rushing as a redshirt freshman in 2013. He ran for 508 yards and three scores a year ago in seven games. Bouma has caught 38 passes for 272 yards and a score. He was named to the MVFC All-Newcomer Team in 2013.

The quartet will lead the Coyotes onto the field for the first time in 2015 on Sept. 5 when South Dakota faces Kansas State in Manhattan, Kan. The game will serve as the season opener for both teams.