Game Details
Lyle Hare Stadium
Kickoff is set for 6:00 p.m. MST (8:00 p.m. CDT).
Betting Trends
Sioux Falls is 8–5 in season openers since moving to NCAA Division II in 2011.
USF has won the last seven meetings against Black Hills State, despite trailing the all-time series 12–20–1.
Black Hills State is 5–3 ATS at home versus NSIC opponents over the past four seasons.
Key Storylines
Sioux Falls enters Year 3 under Coach Jim Glogowski after an 8–3 finish in 2024, returning 73 players and integrating 43 newcomers, including nine transfers.
Senior quarterback and team captain Camden Dean leads a veteran offense, while redshirt-junior safety Garrett Hoffman anchors the secondary.
Black Hills State seeks its first win over the Cougars since 1957, countering with an experienced offensive line and a balanced run-pass scheme in the RMAC.
Players to Watch
Sioux Falls Cougars
Camden Dean, QB: Senior captain with a dual-threat skill set.
Garrett Hoffman, S: Redshirt-junior leader in the back end and special teams standout.
Cal Botsford, OL: Veteran blocker who anchors the line of scrimmage.
Black Hills State Yellow Jackets
Starting QB: Junior signal-caller returning after 2,000+ passing yards in 2024.
Lead RB: Workhorse back who rushed for over 800 yards and eight TDs last season.
DE Unit Captain: Senior pass-rusher who tallied eight sacks a year ago.
Tactical Breakdown
Offense
Sioux Falls runs a spread-run offense under center and from the gun, mixing zone reads with inside power and play-action. Black Hills State employs a pro-style balance, leveraging downhill runs and tempo changes to keep defenses off-balance.
Defense
The Cougars open in a 4-2-5 nickel package designed to disrupt tempo and take away horizontal routes. The Yellow Jackets favor a base 3-4 front, using gap control and stunts to generate pressure up front.
X-Factors
Turnover Battle: A takeaway swing could decide field position in a tight opener.
Special Teams Play: Altitude and winds in Spearfish can magnify punt and field-goal opportunities.
Offensive Line Match-Up: Whichever front controls the line of scrimmage will dictate the tempo.
Game Odds
Sioux Falls Cougars 52.5
Black Hills State Yellow Jackets – 2.5
Odds Courtesy of Sports Odd Direct as of Wednesday, August 27, 2025
