Aug. 26—VERMILLION, S.D. — The South Dakota Coyotes will kick off their 2026 soccer season underneath first-year head coach Matt Vitzthum on Saturday, welcoming Central Connecticut State to the DakotaDome for a Week 0 conflict and the first-ever assembly between the 2 applications.
This matchup additionally marks simply the fifth time that USD has opened with an FCS opponent, being 2-2 in these contests.
The best way to watch the Coyotes' season debut and what to learn about each applications:
Week 0: No. 12 South Dakota Coyotes vs. Central Connecticut State Blue Devils
When: Saturday, Aug. 29, at 1 p.m.
The place: DakotaDome in Vermillion
TV: ESPN+ / Midco Sports activities — David Brown (Play-by-Play), Andre Fields (Analyst)
Radio: Coyote Sports activities Community (John Thayer, Gary Culver, Jerry Palleshi) [KVHT 106.3 FM]
Streaming: ESPN+ / Midco Sports activities
Data final yr: USD 10-5, CCSU 8-5
Collection: First assembly all-time.
Rankings: USD is ranked No. 12 in FCS
Coaches: USD — Matt Vitzthum (first yr); CCSU — Adam Lechtenberg (fourth yr, 18-19)
Main 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)
Main rushers (returning): USD — Carson Fletcher (478 yards, 1 TD in 2025); CCSU — Davon Smith Jr. (43 yards, 1 TD in 2025)
Main receivers (returning): USD — Tysen Boze (19 receptions, 298 yards, 2 TDs in 2025); CCSU — Michael Trovarelli (44 receptions, 493 yards, 6 TDs in 2025)
Prime defenders (returning): USD — Gabriel Hardman (90 complete tackles, 5 TFLs, 2 sacks, 1 INT, 2 PBUs, 1 FF in 2025); CCSU — Eric Jackson (72 complete tackles, 2 TFLs, 2 PBUs, 1 FF in 2025)
Fast sport hits: Saturday's conflict would be the first all-time assembly between USD and Central Connecticut State. … The Coyotes are 79-49-1 (.610) in season openers courting again to 1889. … USD enters the 2026 marketing campaign on the heels of three consecutive 10-plus win seasons for the primary time in program historical past. … With a win over CCSU, Vitzthum could be the primary head coach within the Division I period to win their opener for the Coyotes. Vitzthum can also be simply the fourth USD coach within the Division I period, however solely the second to open their tenure as head coach with an FCS opponent (Joe Glenn, 2012). … The Coyotes are 29-11 within the DakotaDome as a ranked staff and 18-5 when ranked inside the highest 15 within the FCS period. … For the primary time in 3 1/2 seasons, USD could have a brand new man underneath heart: Austyn Modrzewski. … CCSU has gained back-to-back Northeast Convention titles and are picked to win the league once more this season. … The Blue Devils have made consecutive appearances within the FCS playoffs in consecutive seasons for the primary time in program historical past in 2024 and 2025. … CCSU's Chris Jean was named to the Stats Carry out FCS preseason All-American first staff at defensive again after tallying 13 cross breakups and 4 interceptions final yr. … A complete of seven true or redshirt freshmen for the Coyotes are slated to make their first begins in opposition to the Blue Devils on Saturday.