VERMILLION, S.D. – In a repeat of the 2024 FCS Playoff semifinals, the University of South Dakota and Montana State University have agreed on a home-and-home series to keep the Missouri Valley Football Conference (MVFC) and Big Sky connections on the Coyote football schedules into the early 2030s.
 
We are incredibly excited to schedule a home and home with Montana State," said Athletic Director Jon Schemmel. "Playing in the MVFC and scheduling non-conference games like this ensure we have one of the toughest schedules in the country and bring games to Vermillion and the DakotaDome to drive interest and attendance from our fanbase.
 
South Dakota will travel back out to Bozeman, Montana to start the series on September 13, 2031, with the Bobcats coming to Vermillion for the first time ever the following year on September 11, 2032.
 
In 2026, Montana State sits 7-1 (4-1 Big Sky) sitting atop the Big Sky Conference standings along with Northern Arizona, entering Halloween weekend. The Bobcats ranked No. 3 in both major FCS polls this week (rankings as of Oct. 26).   
 
Montana State leads the all-time series, 3-0, with all three meetings being out in Bozeman. Most recently, the two teams met in the 2024 FCS Playoffs semifinals with the Bobcats prevailing 31-17. The series dates back to South Dakota's first season as an FCS program back in 2008.