Story by
The Daily Republic, Mitchell, S.D.
Preview: USD set to host Central Connecticut State to begin season
- Story byThe Daily Republic, Mitchell, S.D.
- Preview: USD set to host Central Connecticut State to begin season
Aug. 26—VERMILLION, S.D. — The South Dakota Coyotes will kick off their 2026 football season under first-year head coach Matt Vitzthum on Saturday, welcoming Central Connecticut State to the DakotaDome for a Week 0 clash and the first-ever meeting between the two programs.
This matchup also marks just the fifth time that USD has opened with an FCS opponent, being 2-2 in those contests.
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How to watch the Coyotes' season debut and what to know about both programs:
Week 0: No. 12 South Dakota Coyotes vs. Central Connecticut State Blue Devils
When: Saturday, Aug. 29, at 1 p.m.
Where: DakotaDome in Vermillion
TV: ESPN+ / Midco Sports — David Brown (Play-by-Play), Andre Fields (Analyst)
Radio: Coyote Sports Network (John Thayer, Gary Culver, Jerry Palleshi) [KVHT 106.3 FM]
Streaming: ESPN+ / Midco Sports
Records last year: USD 10-5, CCSU 8-5
Series: First meeting all-time.
Rankings: USD is ranked No. 12 in FCS
Coaches: USD — Matt Vitzthum (first year); CCSU — Adam Lechtenberg (fourth year, 18-19)
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Leading passers (returning): USD — Nevan Cremascoli (3 yards, 0 TDs, 0 INTs in 2025); CCSU — Brett Griffis (17 passing yards, 0 TDs, 0 INTs in 2025)
Leading rushers (returning): USD — Carson Fletcher (478 yards, 1 TD in 2025); CCSU — Davon Smith Jr. (43 yards, 1 TD in 2025)
Leading receivers (returning): USD — Tysen Boze (19 receptions, 298 yards, 2 TDs in 2025); CCSU — Michael Trovarelli (44 receptions, 493 yards, 6 TDs in 2025)
Top defenders (returning): USD — Gabriel Hardman (90 total tackles, 5 TFLs, 2 sacks, 1 INT, 2 PBUs, 1 FF in 2025); CCSU — Eric Jackson (72 total tackles, 2 TFLs, 2 PBUs, 1 FF in 2025)
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Quick game hits: Saturday's clash will be the first all-time meeting between USD and Central Connecticut State. ... The Coyotes are 79-49-1 (.610) in season openers dating back to 1889. ... USD enters the 2026 campaign on the heels of three consecutive 10-plus win seasons for the first time in program history. ... With a win over CCSU, Vitzthum would be the first head coach in the Division I era to win their opener for the Coyotes. Vitzthum is also just the fourth USD coach in the Division I era, but only the second to open their tenure as head coach with an FCS opponent (Joe Glenn, 2012). ... The Coyotes are 29-11 in the DakotaDome as a ranked team and 18-5 when ranked inside the top 15 in the FCS era. ... For the first time in 3 1/2 seasons, USD will have a new man under center: Austyn Modrzewski. ... CCSU has won back-to-back Northeast Conference titles and are picked to win the league again this season. ... The Blue Devils have made consecutive appearances in the FCS playoffs in consecutive seasons for the first time in program history in 2024 and 2025. ... CCSU's Chris Jean was named to the Stats Perform FCS preseason All-American first team at defensive back after tallying 13 pass breakups and four interceptions last year. ... A total of seven true or redshirt freshmen for the Coyotes are slated to make their first starts against the Blue Devils on Saturday.
