University of South Dakota Athletics

FCS Bracket

VERMILLION, S.D.—The South Dakota football team has been selected to compete in the FCS playoffs for the first time. The Coyotes, 7-4 overall and 4-4 in the Missouri Valley Football Conference, received one of 14 at large bids and will take on Nicholls State in a first round playoff game at 3 p.m. Saturday from Guidry Stadium in Thibodaux, Louisiana.
 
It is the first postseason appearance for the Coyotes since 2006, and first at the Division I level. It will also be the first meeting between South Dakota and Nicholls State.
 
South Dakota is one of five MVFC teams in the 24-team field. North Dakota State (10-1) as the No. 2 seed and South Dakota State (9-2) as the No. 5 seed earned first-round byes. UNI (7-4) is hosting a first-round game against Monmouth (9-2). Western Illinois (8-3) is traveling to Weber State (9-2) for a first-round matchup.
 
Nicholls State is one of three teams from the Southland Conference in the field. The Colonels finished third in the Southland behind conference champion Central Arkansas (10-1) and Sam Houston State (10-1). The winner of USD and Nicholls State will face six-seeded Sam Houston State in a second-round match on Dec. 2 in Huntsville, Texas.

First-Round Matchups
Lehigh (5-6) at Stony Brook (9-2) - winner faces No. 1 James Madison (11-0)
San Diego (9-2) at Northern Arizona (7-4) - winner faces No. 2 North Dakota State (10-1)
Samford (8-3) at Kennesaw State (10-1) - winner faces No. 3 Jacksonville State (10-1)
Central Connecticut State (8-3) at New Hampshire (7-4) - winner faces No. 4 Central Arkansas (10-1)
Monmouth (9-2) at UNI (7-4) - winner faces No. 5 South Dakota State (9-2)
South Dakota (7-4) at Nicholls State (8-3) - winner faces No. 6 Sam Houston State (10-1)
Furman (7-4) at Elon (8-3) - winner faces No. 7 Wofford (9-2)
Western Illinois (8-3) at Weber State (9-2) - winner faces No. 8 Southern Utah (9-2)