VERMILLION, S.D. – The University of South Dakota and Abilene Christian University have signed a home-and-home football agreement for the 2028 and 2029 seasons, the two schools announced jointly on Thursday afternoon.
 
"I am excited to have a home and home agreed to with ACU and look forward to bringing them to the DakotaDome," noted athletic Director Jon Schemmel. "They are a nationally competitive program that Coyote fans will be excited about."
 
The first meeting between the two schools is slated for September 2, 2028, inside the DakotaDome in Vermillion. The following season, on September 1, 2029, the Yotes will make the return trip to Abilene, Texas to battle the Wildcats.
 
In 2026, Abilene Christian is 4-4 overall and sits with a perfect 3-0 mark in United Athletic Conference (UAC). The Wildcats sit No. 24 in both the AFCA Coaches' poll and the Stats Perform media poll and sit tied with No. 1 Tarleton State atop the UAC standings entering Halloween weekend.  
 
The two schools have never met on the gridiron with the first meeting set for the 2028 season. The Coyotes are 1-1 all-time against current members of the UAC, with just one game in the FCS era. South Dakota defeated Tarleton State in the FCS Playoffs back in 2024.