The Pregame
Heading to the University of Missouri for the first Coyote football game of the season? Join USD fans and friends for a pregame tailgate Thursday from 3-6:30 p.m. in the RevelXP Tailgating Zone near Mizzou Arena. Parking is available in surrounding parking lots. Tailgating is free to attend, but you can RSVP here. Click here for a map of the area.
 
The Game
South Dakota is facing an SEC opponent for the first time. Missouri is facing a Valley team for the first time since a 72-43 shootout with Missouri State to start the 2017 campaign. The Coyotes have faced an FBS program every year since 2010 and has wins against Minnesota (2010) and Bowling Green (2017) in that span.
 
The Coyotes
South Dakota is trying to return to the playoffs for the second time in the last three seasons and for the third time under head coach Bob Nielson. The Coyotes will feature a new offense under coordinator Josh Davis, but familiar faces return to that side of the ball in quarterback Aidan Bouman, running back Travis Theis, receiver Carter Bell and right tackle Isaac Erbes, who is expected to make his 40^th consecutive start.
 
The defense is headed by preseason all-Americans Myles Harden at cornerback and linebackers Stephen Hillis and Brock Mogensen. Senior Brendan Webb has transitioned from defensive to the rush backer in Travis Johansen's defense. Veteran safeties Josiah Ganues and Dennis Shorter return to the back line.
 
The Tigers
Missouri begins year four under coach Eliah Drinkwitz, who served at Appalachian State before arriving in Columbia. The Tigers feature dual-threat quarterback Brady Cook who passed for more than 2,700 yards and had 20 total touchdowns last season. He is expected to share snaps with redshirt freshman Sam Horn Thursday. Missouri also brought in Jake Garcia, a transfer from Miami.
 
Starting running backs Cody Schrader and Nate Peat combined to run for more than 1,100 yards and 11 touchdowns last season. Left tackle Javon Foster is preseason all-SEC as are defensive standouts Ty'Ron Hopper (OLB) and Darius Robinson (DE). Senior Harrison Mevis is a weapon in the kicking game.
 
One Last Thing
Look for the Coyote volleyball team in the stands Thursday. Coach Leanne Williamson's squad competes inside the Hearnes Center on Missouri's campus Friday through Sunday in matches against No. 3 Louisville (1 p.m. Friday), Missouri (2:30 p.m. Saturday) and Northern Kentucky (11 a.m. Sunday).
 
South Dakota football returns home to host St. Thomas Sept. 9 in a 1 p.m. kickoff inside the DakotaDome. It will be the first meeting between the two programs since 1979. The Coyotes have six home games on the slate for the first time since 2019. Head to GoYotes.com/tickets for ticket information.