VERMILLION, S.D.—South Dakota has achieved its highest national ranking at the FCS level. The Coyotes are No. 3 in the Stats Perform FCS poll and AFCA poll announced Monday. It matches the No. 3 seed awarded to South Dakota Sunday by the FCS selection committee. South Dakota was ranked third back in 2005 when the program competed at the Division II level.
 
South Dakota (9-2) has won nine FCS games for the first time and is the ninth team in program history to reach nine wins. The Coyotes secured a first-round bye in the FCS playoffs. South Dakota will play the winner of 15^th-ranked Sacramento State and 12^th-ranked North Dakota at 1 p.m. Dec. 2 inside the DakotaDome.
 
Stats Perform Top 25

1. South Dakota State (11-0)
2. Montana (10-1)
3. South Dakota (9-2)
4. Idaho (8-3)
5. Montana State (8-3)
6. Villanova (9-2)
7. Furman (9-2)
8. North Dakota State (8-3)
9. Albany (9-3)
10. Florida A&M (10-1)
11. Delaware (8-3)
12. North Dakota (7-4)
13. Austin Peay (9-2)
14. Southern Illinois (7-4)
15. Sacramento State (7-4)
16. North Carolina Central (9-2)
17. Mercer (8-3)
18. Chattanooga (7-4)
19. Incarnate Word (8-2)
20. Lafayette (9-2)
21. Youngstown State (7-4)
22. Richmond (8-3)
23. Western Carolina (7-4)
24. UT Martin (8-3)
25. UC Davis (7-4)