The 2018 South Dakota Coyotes football team represented the University of South Dakota in the 2018 NCAA Division I FCS football season. They were led by third-year head coach Bob Nielson and played their home games in the DakotaDome. They were a member of the Missouri Valley Football Conference. They finished the season 4–7, 3–5 in MVFC play to finish in a three-way tie for sixth place.
| Buck Buchanan Award[1] | Darin Greenfield | DE | JR |
The MVFC released their preseason poll on July 29, 2018, with the Coyotes predicted to finish in sixth place.[2]
| 1 | North Dakota State | 390 (39) | |
| 2 | South Dakota State | 270 | |
| 3 | Northern Iowa | 258 | |
| 4 | Youngstown State | 248 | |
| 5 | Illinois State | 248 | |
| 6 | South Dakota | 206 | |
| 7 | Western Illinois | 163 | |
| 8 | Southern Illinois | 139 | |
| 9 | Missouri State | 90 | |
| 10 | Indiana State | 41 |
The Coyotes placed seven players on the preseason all-MVFC teams.[3]
Offense
1st team
Shamar Jackson – WR
2nd team
Tyler Ciurej – OL
Nick Jensen – OL
Mason Scheidegger — OL
Defense
1st team
Darin Greenfield – DL
Andrew Gray – DB
2nd team
Brady Schutt – P
See also: 2018 Kansas State Wildcats football team.
Kansas State's Isaiah Zuber was credited for saving the game with two key plays: an 85-yard punt return with South Dakota leading 24–12. Later in the game caught a touchdown pass from Skylar Thompson with 7:21 left to give K-State its first lead of the second half.Kansas State scored all but seven of its points on field goals and special teams. Sophomore kicker Blake Lynch scored Kansas State’s first 12 points on field goals of 22, 24, 38 and 44 yards. Kansas State racked up 13 penalties for 129 yards, but maintained more control of the ball with 37:39 of offense compared to South Dakota's 22:21.[4] going over 100 years for the first time since 2016 against Florida Atlantic.
South Dakota quarterback Austin Simmons threw for 257 yards and one touchdown, continually finding receiver Levi Falck (11 catches, 140 yards) open against top K-State cornerback Duke Shelley. The Coyotes led 24–12 at halftime.[5] ESPN reported "... one solid takeaway is how well the Coyotes were in control for much of the game. They did a great job limiting the Kansas State offense for three quarters and had many Kansas State fans, players and coaches frustrated throughout the night."[6]
See also: 2018 Northern Colorado Bears football team.
See also: 2018 Weber State Wildcats football team.
See also: 2018 Southern Illinois Salukis football team.
See also: 2018 Missouri State Bears football team.
See also: 2018 Northern Iowa Panthers football team.
See also: 2018 Weber State Wildcats football team.
See also: 2018 North Dakota State Bison football team.
See also: 2018 Indiana State Sycamores football team.
See also: 2018 Western Illinois Leathernecks football team.
See also: 2018 South Dakota State Jackrabbits football team and South Dakota–South Dakota State football rivalry.