It was a cold, snowy afternoon in Vermillion when the 119th meeting between the Coyotes and the Jackrabbits basically flipped the script on everything we thought we knew about the 2025 season. Honestly, if you were looking for South Dakota football scores this year, you probably noticed a massive shift in power. For years, the Jackrabbits were the undisputed kings, but November 8, 2025, changed that vibe.
USD took down SDSU 24-17. It wasn't just a win; it was a statement. The DakotaDome was packed, the energy was electric, and L.J. Phillips Jr. basically put the team on his back, rushing for 168 yards. That game snapped a three-game losing streak for the Coyotes against their rivals. It also sent the Jacks into a tailspin they didn't quite recover from in the ways fans expected.
The Interstate Series and That Massive Shift
When you look at the landscape of the Missouri Valley Football Conference (MVFC), the score from that Interstate Series game tells a deeper story. SDSU had this incredible 75-yard touchdown run by Jack Smith just 11 seconds into the game. You'd think that would be the end of it. It wasn't.
USD’s defense pitched a complete shutout in the second half. That’s rare. Usually, these games are high-scoring shootouts, but the Coyotes' defense, led by Roman Tillmon and Gabriel Hardman, just locked the door. SDSU only managed 85 total yards of offense in the second half. That score—24-17—might look close on paper, but on the field, it felt like a changing of the guard.
Postseason Reality Check for the Big Two
Both teams made it into the FCS Playoffs, but the road ended sooner than anyone in Brookings or Vermillion wanted. If you were tracking the South Dakota football scores through December, you saw some high highs and some brutal lows.
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South Dakota State started their playoff run by absolutely dismantling New Hampshire 41-3. It looked like the old Jacks were back. Then they went to Missoula. Montana is a tough place to play, and the Grizzlies made sure everyone knew it, putting up 50 points on the Jacks.
The Coyotes had a similar journey:
- They handled Drake 38-17 in the opening round at the Dome.
- They traveled to Georgia and shut out Mercer 47-0. That was a defensive masterpiece.
- Their season eventually hit a wall in the Quarterfinals, also against Montana, losing 52-22.
It's sorta wild that both of South Dakota's powerhouse programs had their seasons ended by the same Montana team in the same stadium just a week apart.
High School State Championships: The Wall Eagles Dominate
While the college teams were battling in the playoffs, the high school scene was wrapping up with some eye-popping numbers. If you haven't seen the Class 9A final score, you might want to sit down.
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Wall High School didn't just win; they demolished Howard 60-6. Tanner Volmer was like a human highlight reel, throwing for four touchdowns and running for two more. They finished the season with 656 points, breaking a state record that had stood since 2014. It’s hard to even wrap your head around that kind of scoring volume in nine-man football.
Other notable championship scores from the 2025 SDHSAA finals:
- Class 11AAA: Brandon Valley 35, Sioux Falls Lincoln 21 (A battle of the titans).
- Class 11AA: Pierre T.F. Riggs 56, Yankton 35.
- Class 11A: Sioux Falls Christian 58, Lennox 23.
- Class 11B: St. Thomas More 48, Elk Point-Jefferson 38.
Why These Scores Matter More Than Just Numbers
People focus on the final digits, but these South Dakota football scores represent a massive talent pool stayin' in-state. We’re seeing more kids from Sioux Falls and Rapid City choose to play for the Yotes or the Jacks rather than heading to bigger FBS schools as benchwarmers.
The complexity of the MVFC this year was insane. North Dakota State (NDSU) finished 8-0 in the conference, basically reclaiming the throne, but the gap is closing. When you see scores like South Dakota beating ranked top-10 teams back-to-back, you realize the parity in this region is at an all-time high.
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What’s Next for South Dakota Football?
The 2025-2026 cycle showed that the "Little Brother" narrative for USD is officially dead. They’ve proven they can win the big ones. For the Jackrabbits, the offseason is all about rebuilding that defensive wall that seemed a bit porous against Montana.
If you’re looking to follow the momentum into the 2026 season, keep an eye on the transfer portal. Both programs are likely to be aggressive. Also, don't sleep on the high school talent coming out of Wall and Brandon Valley; those kids are FBS-ready.
To stay on top of things, check the official athletic sites for the University of South Dakota and South Dakota State University. For high school updates, the SDHSAA website is the only place for verified playoff brackets. Keep those dates marked for the 2026 openers in late August.