The non-conference portion of the 2026 season will continue for Boise State on The Blue, as the Broncos welcome the undefeated South Dakota Coyotes to Albertsons Stadium for their third game of the season on Sept. 19.
The two programs will meet for the first time since 1973, when the Coyotes and Broncos faced off in the Division II playoffs.
South Dakota enters the matchup undefeated at 3-0, while Boise State looks to build off its 38-20 comeback win over Memphis and continue its push toward another College Football Playoff appearance.
The Coyotes, led by a physical rushing attack and an experienced defense, look to pull off an upset on the road and hand the Broncos their first home loss of the season.
Boise State, on the other hand, looks to take care of business at home and avoid a potential trap game against an undefeated FCS opponent before beginning Pac-12 play later in the season.
Here’s how the two teams match up:
South Dakota:
The Coyotes enter the matchup with a perfect 3-0 record after opening the season with wins over Central Connecticut State, Northern Colorado and Eastern Washington.
Head coach Matt Vitzthum’s team has been one of the more productive offenses in the country through the opening three games, averaging 63 points per game while scoring at least 38 points in each contest.
Leading the rushing attack is senior running back Charles Pierre Jr., who has been one of the most explosive players in the Coyotes’ offense.
Pierre Jr. has rushed for 261 yards and four touchdowns through three games, including a 138-yard, two-touchdown performance against Eastern Washington.
The senior also eclipsed 2,000 career rushing yards in the win over Eastern Washington, becoming just the 15th player in South Dakota history to reach the milestone.
Redshirt freshman quarterback Austyn Modrzewski has also provided a spark through the air, throwing for 727 yards and 11 touchdowns through the first three games of his collegiate career.
Modrzewski’s ability to make plays through the air, combined with Pierre Jr.’s production on the ground, gives the Coyotes a balanced offensive attack.
South Dakota’s defense has also been a key part of the team’s undefeated start, allowing just 66 points through three games while recording eight sacks and forcing multiple turnovers.
The Coyotes will need their defensive unit to slow down a Boise State offense that has shown its ability to create explosive plays throughout the opening two games.
Keys to the game:
- Get Charles Pierre Jr. going and wear out the Bronco defense
- Challenge Boise State’s secondary with Modrzewski
- Play smart defense and limit explosive plays
Boise State:
The Broncos enter their second straight home game looking to carry momentum from their 38-20 comeback victory over fellow Group of Six playoff contender Memphis.
After falling behind 17-3 early against the Tigers, Boise State responded by scoring 32 of the game’s final 35 points to secure its first win of the season.
The Broncos’ rushing attack was a major factor in the comeback, with junior Dylan Riley rushing for a career-high 206 yards in the contest.
Riley, alongside junior Sire Gaines, gives Boise State a dynamic one-two punch out of the backfield that has quickly become one of the biggest strengths of the offense.
Leading the offense is redshirt senior quarterback Maddux Madsen, who returns for his fifth and final season at Boise State having been named the starter in 2024.
Madsen’s experience, combined with the Broncos’ rushing attack and talented group of playmakers, gives the offense plenty of ways to attack the Coyotes.
Junior wideout Cam Bates will also continue to play a major role after emerging as one of Boise State’s most dangerous playmakers.
Bates already made his impact felt against Memphis, returning a punt 72 yards for a touchdown and providing one of the biggest momentum swings of the game.
On defense, the Broncos will have to slow down a South Dakota offense that has averaged 251 rushing yards per game through its first three contests.
Edge rusher Jayden Virgin-Morgan and the Boise State front will be tasked with containing Pierre Jr. and forcing the Coyotes into passing situations.
The Broncos’ secondary, led by veterans such as Derek Ganter Jr. and JeRico Washington Jr., will also have to limit South Dakota’s explosive receiving threats and prevent Modrzewski from finding a rhythm in the passing game.
Keys to the game:
- Establish the run with Riley and Gaines
- Take control early and don’t get complacent
- Play tight coverage and limit big plays downfield
Boise State will host South Dakota at Albertsons Stadium on Saturday, Sept. 19.
Kickoff is set for 8 p.m.
