VERMILLION, S.D. — A stellar performance from the South Dakota Coyotes football team propelled them to the NCAA Division I FCS Semifinals for the first time ever, following a 35-21 victory over the UC Davis Aggies on Saturday. The encounter, held at the DakotaDome, showcased the Coyotes’ formidable defense and dynamic offense, marking their 11th win of the season and capping off the game with six forced turnovers.
The Coyotes entered the game as the No. 4 seed, finishing the regular season with a commendable 11-2 record and riding high after their playoff success. South Dakota’s quarterback, Aidan Bouman, continued his exceptional form, throwing for over 200 yards for the fifth consecutive game. Bouman completed 14 of 22 passes for 253 yards, including three touchdowns, and played a key role as they dismantled the Aggies.
JJ Galbreath emerged as one of the stars of the match, catching two touchdown passes, showcasing his knack for finding the end zone when it matters most. He highlighted the Coyotes’ playmaking ability, operating effectively under pressure. Notably, running back Travis Theis also made headlines by rushing for 86 yards and scoring two touchdowns, breaking the South Dakota career record for rushing touchdowns with his 38th.
From the start, the Coyotes capitalized on the Aggies’ mistakes. After the opening kickoff, South Dakota faced early adversity with their first possession resulting in a punt. The turning point came shortly thereafter, when senior defensive back Josiah Ganues intercepted UC Davis's quarterback, Miles Hastings, setting the Coyotes on the path to their initial score. Bouman expertly connected with Galbreath for the first touchdown of the game, establishing the Coyotes' early 7-0 lead.
The Aggies quickly responded, equalizing at 7-7 with Hastings found senior wide receiver C.J. Hutton for his first score of the day. Taunting the dynamic back-and-forth nature of playoff football, the Coyotes came back with another scoring drive, this time featuring a phenomenal 71-yard pass completion from Bouman to Quaron Adams, setting up another rushing touchdown. South Dakota was now leading at 14-7.
The Aggies managed to close the gap soon after, with Hastings tossing to senior receiver Chaz Davis for another touchdown, trailing 21-14 as the first half neared its conclusion. The half saw both teams exchanging interceptions, demonstrating why turnovers can dictate flow and momentum, yet the Coyotes went to the locker room with the edge.
With the halftime adjustments complete, both teams came back onto the field aiming to capitalize on their first drives. Unfortunately, fumbles plagued both sides early on, showcasing the slippery grip on what should have been impactful plays. South Dakota managed to shake off the rust, refocusing their strategy and marching down the field to score another touchdown, pushing the lead to 28-14.
Despite facing adversity, the Aggies continued to battle back. Hastings managed to connect on several big plays, and on one occasion found Trent Tompkins for his first touchdown reception of the game, bringing the score to 28-21 midway through the fourth quarter. Yet, as the minutes ticked down, the South Dakota defense stood firm, creating pressure and resulting in yet another interception—a pivotal moment sealing UC Davis's fate.
The Coyotes' subsequent 75-yard drive ended with Theis scoring from seven yards out, effectively ending the contest at 35-21. With UC Davis aiming to bring the game back within one score, Gary Bryant III’s interception dashed their hopes, exemplifying the defensive prowess South Dakota demonstrated throughout the matchup.
South Dakota not only clinched this historic playoff victory but also shored up their dominance at home, finishing the season with perfect 8-0 record at the DakotaDome. They will next face top-ranked Montana State (14-0) next Saturday, December 21, aiming to continue their historic run.
The Aggies’ defeat, which draws the curtain on their own impressive season, involved notable individual performances, even as they fell short. Miles Hastings shattered various school records, passing for 345 yards and three touchdowns, but was also bedeviled by turnovers, culminating in five interceptions. Senior running back Lan Larison was sidelined for much of the game due to injury, leaving UC Davis grappling without their star player.
UC Davis concludes their campaign with an 11-3 record, marking it as one of the best seasons since joining the FCS, led under the first-year head coach Tim Plough. "It’s tough to talk about right now; there’s so much emotion involved," he stated post-match, showing appreciation for the efforts made by his players during the season, stressing the need for growth moving forward.
The thrilling game served as a reminder of the excitement generated by the playoff atmosphere—high stakes, passionate play, along with inflection points shaped by turnovers. South Dakota's historic achievement not only adds to their legacy but also highlights the unpredictable nature of college football.